{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Goooooooal! Soccer, Dopamine, and Dreams with Author-Comedian Ana Karina de Silva","description":"In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Ana Karina de Silva, a neurodivergent author, comedian, and educator, to celebrate her new picture book Pedro\u2019s Dream. The story follows Pedro, a passionate young soccer player with ADHD who learns to understand his brain, advocate for himself, and build strategies for success\u2014like using checklists and visual cues, and working with a supportive coach and dad who also has ADHD. Ana shares how her own late ADHD diagnosis reshaped her understanding of \u201cforgetfulness\u201d and \u201cnot finishing tasks,\u201d reframing them as brain-based challenges rather than character flaws. She offers practical examples of \u201cdopamine hits\u201d that help her complete tasks\u2014like calling a friend, listening to music, or tuning into podcasts. Ana and Jed dive into the importance of seeing neurodivergence not as something to \u201cfix\u201d but as a different way of thinking that deserves support, accommodations, and respect. They celebrate books as mirrors and windows, helping kids see themselves and understand others. Ana also describes her work teaching stand-up comedy to kids on the spectrum, using exaggeration, silliness, and performance to help them process big feelings, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of identity. Her broader \u201cEmma\u2019s Dream\u201d curriculum focuses on uncovering children\u2019s strengths\u2014like pattern recognition\u2014and helping families and schools nurture them. Later in the episode, Jed speaks with Joyce Fitt, author of Are You Ready For Us?, a playful, thought-provoking picture book for aspiring parents narrated by Spermio and Agatha. Joyce draws on her experiences as a war refugee, educator, and songwriter to encourage adults to consider preconception health, finances, mental well-being, and, most importantly, children\u2019s emotional needs before bringing them into the world. ","author_name":"Reading With Your Kids Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/readingwithyourkids.libsyn.com\/site","html":"