Amy Wilson on Strategies That Work for Your Neurodivergent Fencers

<p><strong>Season 2, Episode 14</strong><br /><strong>Guest:</strong> <strong>Amy Wilson</strong> — Nurse & Higher-Ed Simulation Specialist; youth fencing parent; advocate for neurodivergent athletes</p><p><strong>What we cover</strong></p><p>Why “calm down” isn’t a strategy: replacing emotions (anger → engagement, under-arousal → activation)</p><p>Fencing’s unique demands: fast decisions, constant stimuli, and doing it <i>alone</i> on the strip</p><p>The concept: <strong>regulate first, then choose to go explosive</strong> (“pull the pin on purpose”)</p><p>Early warning signs of dysregulation: posture shifts, breath changes, jittering, gear fidgeting</p><p>Prevention beats cleanup: proactive routines that keep athletes near the “middle” zone</p><p>Why fencing can be great for neurodivergent athletes (stimulus, boundaries, cross-body movement)</p><p>Parent–coach partnership: advocacy without power struggles; translating coach feedback</p><p>Tools that work: visual charts, nonverbal cue...