"Ask The Person": Building Neurodivergent-Inclusive Workplaces with Sammie Kelly

"Ask The Person": Building Neurodivergent-Inclusive Workplaces with Sammie Kelly

In this episode of Rethink Time, we talk with Sammie Kelly, founder of Beyond Neurodiversity, about what it actually feels like to navigate work as a neurodivergent person — and what leaders, managers, and organizations can do to create more supportive, sustainable environments for every kind of mind. Sammie shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD at 27, the mix of relief and self-understanding that followed, and what led her to leave a successful corporate career to start Beyond Neurodiversity, a company focused on helping organizations better support neurodivergent employees through education, coaching, and practical accommodations. In this episode we explore: * What neurodivergent employees may be experiencing internally that others don’t always see * Common misconceptions about ADHD, autism, and workplace productivity * Simple, effective communication strategies that reduce confusion and overwhelm * How managers can create more clarity, flexibility, and psychological safety * Real accommodations that make a meaningful difference at work * Why designing with neurodivergent needs in mind ultimately benefits everyone Whether you’re a manager, educator, HR professional, caregiver, or someone navigating neurodivergence yourself, this episode offers practical insights and approachable strategies you can start using right away. --- RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Beyond Neurodiversity: https://www.beyondnd.com/ [https://www.beyondnd.com/] Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion by Pasha Marlowe: https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Cultures-Neuroinclusion-Framework-Neurodiverse/dp/B0DNW94139 [https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Cultures-Neuroinclusion-Framework-Neurodiverse/dp/B0DNW94139] Seeing My Time curriculum: https://executivefunctioningsuccess.com/seeing-my-time/ [https://executivefunctioningsuccess.com/seeing-my-time/] Job Accommodation Network (JAN): AskJAN.org [AskJAN.org ] Time Timer: https://www.timetimer.com [https://www.timetimer.com] --- CONNECT WITH SAMMIE KELLY & BEYOND NEURODIVERSITY Website: https://www.beyondnd.com/ [https://www.beyondnd.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-neurodiversity [https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-neurodiversity] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_neurodiversity/ [https://www.instagram.com/beyond_neurodiversity/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557925839246 [ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557925839246] --- FOLLOW TIME TIMER Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetimetimer/ [https://www.instagram.com/thetimetimer/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeTimer [https://www.facebook.com/TimeTimer] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/time-timer [https://www.linkedin.com/company/time-timer] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@timetimerllc [ https://www.tiktok.com/@timetimerllc] Website: ⁠https://www.timetimer.com⁠ [https://www.timetimer.com]

Is Screen Time Rewiring Your Child’s Brain? What Parents Need to Know

Are screens quietly changing how our kids think, focus, and grow? In this episode of Rethink Time, we sit down with Kerry Brown from Beech Acres Parenting Center to unpack what’s really happening inside your child’s brain in the digital age. From toddlers glued to tablets to teens who can’t sit through a movie, we explore how technology is reshaping attention spans, emotional regulation, and family dynamics and what parents can do about it. Kerry shares real-world insights from years of working with families, including: * Why kids struggle to get off screens * How screen time impacts focus and brain development * The surprising benefits of boredom and going analog * How to set boundaries without constant battles * When and how to start conversations about tech safety * Practical ways to create a healthier balance at home If you’ve ever wondered whether screen time is helping or hurting your child, or how to find the right balance without guilt, this episode is for you. Episode ResourcesLearn more about Time Timer: https://www.timetimer.com/ [https://www.timetimer.com/ ] Learn more about Beech Acres Parenting Center: https://beechacres.org/parent-connext/ [https://beechacres.org/parent-connext/] The Anxious Generation: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book [https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book] Family Value Resource: https://beechacres.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/NSP-PCX-Starter-Kit-2025A-1.pdf [https://beechacres.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/NSP-PCX-Starter-Kit-2025A-1.pdf ] Time Value and Anxiety: https://www.timetimer.com/blogs/news/time-value-and-anxiety [https://www.timetimer.com/blogs/news/time-value-and-anxiety] What I Wish I Knew About Parenting Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@BeechAcres/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@BeechAcres/podcasts] Time Timer Visual Scheduler: https://www.timetimer.com/products/time-timer-original-8-visual-scheduler [https://www.timetimer.com/products/time-timer-original-8-visual-scheduler ]and https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Schedule-Package-Whiteboard-Classroom/dp/B0GVWCC1V7 [https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Schedule-Package-Whiteboard-Classroom/dp/B0GVWCC1V7]

From “How Much Longer?” to a Global Tool: The Time Timer Origin Story

How did a simple parenting challenge turn into a tool used in classrooms, therapy practices, and homes around the world? In the very first episode of Rethink Time, we sit down with Jan Rogers, the inventor and founder of the Time Timer, to hear the story behind one of the most recognizable visual timers ever created. It all started with a simple question from her young daughter: “How much longer?” When traditional clocks and kitchen timers didn’t help, Jan created a new way to experience time — one you can actually see. In this episode, Jan shares: * The parenting moment that inspired the Time Timer * Why traditional clocks and digital timers don’t work for many children * How visual time helps people with ADHD, autism, and time blindness * The paper plate prototype that started it all * The challenges of launching a product with no engineering or business background * How the iconic red disappearing disk became a global symbol for visual time Today, the Time Timer is used by teachers, therapists, parents, and professionals worldwide to make time more understandable and less stressful. If you’ve ever struggled with transitions, focus, or the feeling that time just disappears, this conversation will change how you think about time. Rethink Time by Time Timer explores how we teach, support, and experience time in classrooms, therapy spaces, and everyday life. ==================== Learn more about Time Timer: https://www.timetimer.com/ ==================== Connect with Time Timer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/time-timer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetimetimer/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@timetimerllcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeTimerPinterest: https://ar.pinterest.com/timetimer/