No Such Thing as Normal

In this episode, Sonia Gray speaks with 12-year-old Benjamin, whose extraordinary creativity sits alongside the challenges of dyslexia. His mother, Gretchen, reflects on the hidden effort behind his learning, and what changed when his strengths were recognised and understood.
Dyslexia advocate Dean Bragonier returns, making the case that strengths-based education is not just better for individuals, but for society. He argues that when we fail to recognise neurodivergent strengths, we fail to realise that potential, along with the innovation and creativity that come with it.
The Hyphen Project in Auckland offers a different model of learning for gifted and neurodivergent teenagers who have struggled in mainstream education.
For 17-year-old Travis, who has ADHD, that shift has been life-changing. A talented digital artist, Travis couldn’t find his place in the traditional school system. He arrived at Hyphen in a mental health crisis — and found an environment that worked with his brain, not against it.
In this episode:
Strengths-based education in practice at The Hyphen Project
ADHD, dyslexia and “spiky” learning profiles
Why many neurodivergent students disengage from school
The link between anxiety, mental health and learning
The role of belonging in re-engaging young people
How motivation changes when learning is built around strengths
Real-world pathways for creative and neurodivergent thinkers
The “opportunity cost” of overlooked potential
This is a continuation of the previous episode, Strengths-based education: Unlocking the gifts, which explores how identifying strengths early can transform a child’s experience of learning.

Guests:
Dean Bragonier Noticeability
Benjamin
Gretchen
Holly Gooch The Hyphen Project
Travis

Resources: Dyslexia Foundation NZ

No Such Thing as Normal is made with the support of NZ On Air
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For many dyslexic children, school is where self-doubt begins. Literacy and numeracy sit at the centre of how ability is measured, so it doesn’t take long for kids who struggle in these areas to absorb the message that something is wrong with them.
And this extends beyond dyslexia. Many neurodivergent learners - including those with ADHD and autism - have strengths that sit outside the narrow skills schools traditionally measure.
Ensuring all kids learn to read and write is important, and many will need targeted support. But are we missing something vital in this process? Should the same emphasis be placed on the unique gifts of those with learning difficulties?
Dean Bragonier is an international dyslexia advocate and founder of non-profit organisation NoticeAbility. He held a series of workshops in New Zealand, designed to help dyslexic students recognise their cognitive strengths.
In this episode, Sonia speaks to Dean, and from some of the children who took part in the workshops here.
This conversation focuses on dyslexia, but the idea reaches far beyond it.
When young people discover their strengths, the story they tell about themselves can begin to change.
In this episode you’ll hear:
Why many dyslexic students internalise the belief that they’re “not smart”.
How the changing nature of the workplace may favour neurodivergent strengths.
Why a negative self-perception created in school can have lifelong effects.
Advice for parents of dyslexic learners.
Why learning ‘the basics’ is hard for non-linear learners.
This is Part 1 of a two-part focus on Strengths-based education.
Guests:
Dean Bragonier NoticeAbility
Ella
Deanna
Emily

Resources:
Dyslexia Foundation NZ
TED X: The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind | Dean Bragonier
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Parenting a child with ADHD, autism, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Pervasive Demand Avoidance (PDA) or sensory challenges can feel unpredictable.
One day everything is fine. The next day it isn’t. Food they ate yesterday is suddenly rejected. A fun outing becomes overwhelming. And sometimes it all ends in a meltdown.
Perhaps your child doesn’t have a diagnosis, but it’s clear they’re not coping. And neither are you.
In this episode, Sonia Gray speaks with sensory integration practitioner Elen Nathan about what’s going on in these moments. And why the answers parents often look for may not be the ones that help most.
This conversation explores a powerful shift in how challenging behaviour is understood. Regardless of a child’s specific diagnosis or neurotype, their nervous system may be trying to tell us something important.
So what actually helps when nothing seems to be working?
Elen says: “It all boils down to a sense of safety.”
In this episode we explore:
What to do when your child isn’t coping
Why behaviour can change from one day to the next
What you can do while waiting for a diagnosis
Why meltdowns are often misunderstood
The shift in how experts think about behaviour and sensory processing
How to deal with the judgement of others
If you’re parenting a child who isn’t coping right now, this conversation may offer some insight.

Guest: Elen Nathan The Playful Place
No Such Thing as Normal is made with support from NZ On Air
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ADHD stimulant medication use is rising in New Zealand, but questions about safety and side effects remain - as does the stigma surrounding these meds.
In the first episode of Season three, Sonia Gray explores what ADHD medication actually does - and what it doesn’t. You’ll hear 11-year-old Tilly take her morning pill and describe, in real time, how it changes the way she feels.
Sonia also speaks with Professor Dave Coghill about how stimulant medication works. Dave addresses some common concerns around safety and effectiveness, and explains what a comprehensive medication trial should involve.
Medication isn’t the only treatment for ADHD. But for many, it can be life-changing.
Note: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about treatment decisions.
Guests:
Professor Dave Coghill
Tilly and Bex

Resources: ADHD NZ

No Such Thing as Normal is made with support from NZ On Air
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know what Tourette’s is - or we think we do.  But this is a condition that is largely misunderstood and routinely misrepresented. Only around 10% of those with Tourette’s syndrome have the ‘swearing tic’ - coprolalia.  But the other vocal and motor tics can be just as debilitating.
In this episode, Sonia speaks to Tiktok sensation, Leighton Clarke - aka Uncle Tics. He now embraces his Tourette’s and encourages others to do the same.
We also hear from Fyfe, a bubbly and creative 10-year-old. Her mother Amanda describes Fyfe’s journey - from the occasional tic, to a diagnosis of Tourette’s syndrome.
And clinical psychologist, Hilary Mack, talks about the connection between Tourette’s Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and ADHD.
Guests:
Leighton Clarke (Uncle Tics) Tiktok
Fyfe and Amanda
Hilary Mack Hilary Mack Psychology
Resources: Tourette’s Association of NZ
Instagram - No Such Thing as Normal Podcast
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