In episode 4 of PDA: Resistance and Resilience, Marni and Chris were joined by Katy Higgins Lee, MFT, a multiply neurodivergent therapist and parent from Santa Rose, California.
Together, we dive into the complex terrain of functioning labels, exploring how terms like “high-functioning” and even PDA itself can be misused in ways that reduce human complexity and perpetuate ableist assumptions. The conversation weaves through lived experiences, therapeutic insights, and parenting reflections while highlighting how labels often obscure more than they clarify.
Key themes include:
Why functioning labels are outdated and harmful
How giftedness and twice-exceptionality (2e) are often misunderstood or misused
The tension between parenting support and pathologizing language
How PDA is sometimes used to imply “not autistic”
Why educational settings often misjudge our kids’ needs, and how unschooling can offer new freedom
Why supporting our kids means shifting our own assumptions about functioning, success, and motivation
Join us for a rich, honest, and affirming conversation about dismantling stigma, honoring complexity, and making space for each person’s truth.
Bio: Katy Higgins Lee (she/her) is a multiply neurodivergent therapist in Northern California where she supports neurodivergent adults and couples. She also supports fellow therapists through clinical supervision, consultation, and continuing education courses, along with Authentic Movement groups for therapists. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Somatics from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Katy also provides psychoeducation and advocacy through social media (under the name Tending Paths) and is a homeschooling/unschooling parent, writer, and gardener.
Links from this episode
Visit Katy’s website
You can find Katy [Tending Paths] on Instagram and Facebook
Katy was a guest on Positive Disintegration Episode 30: Celebrating Neurodiversity, Overexcitabilities, and Giftedness
Ticket Theory by Hilary Knutson
Giftedness as Neurodivergence, Not Functioning Label:
Connect With Us
Wandering Brightly with Marni Kammersell
Positive Disintegration and cosmic cheer squad with Chris Wells
PDA: Resistance and Resilience on Substack
If you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify, please remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you!
