Content warning: mention of suicidality, parental burnout, trauma and stress. Listen with care.

Summary: In this heartfelt episode, Hollie-Ann shares her experience as an AuDHD mother navigating diagnosis, parenting, advocacy, and self-care with host Bri Thomas. Hollie-Ann's story highlights the importance of community, self-awareness, and embracing strengths on the parenting journey. She is honest about the tough stuff, and encouraging exactly where it's needed. This episode addresses societal taboos, intersectionality, parenting strategies, and community building within neurodivergent and queer spaces. It offers actionable insights for parents, caregivers, and advocates aiming to foster understanding and self-compassion.

Takeaways:

• The impact of being AuDHD on identity and parenthood
• Building community and advocating for neurodivergent families
• The challenges of parenting with additional support needs and navigating systems
• Strategies for self-care, energy management, and co-regulation
• Addressing societal taboos: ableism, loneliness, and mental health in parenting
• The importance of parenting to strengths and modelling regulation
• Recognising and honouring fluctuating capacities and micro-moments of self-care

You can find Hollie-Ann on Instagram at @neuroinclusiveeducation.

Content warning: Don't listen to this one with the kids in the back seat... and discern whether it's going to be safe for your nervous system to hear Lil and Bri talk about relationships, sex, intimacy and pleasure at this time.

Keywords: ADHD, autism, AuDHD, relationships, intimacy, neurodivergent, sex education, communication, sensory experiences, self-acceptance

Summary: In this engaging conversation, Bri Thomas and Lil explore the themes of authenticity, neurodivergence, and intimacy. Lil shares their personal journey with ADHD and autism, discussing how these experiences shape their understanding of relationships and sexual intimacy. The discussion delves into the importance of communication, the impact of sensory experiences, and the need to challenge societal norms surrounding sex. Lil emphasizes the significance of self-discovery and pleasure, advocating for a more open dialogue about sexuality to reduce shame and foster connection.

Takeaways:

• AuDHDers often have unique experiences in intimacy.
• Communication is essential for understanding needs in relationships.
• Sensory experiences can greatly impact sexual intimacy.
• Breaking societal taboos around sex is necessary.
• Self-discovery is crucial for understanding personal pleasure.
• Shame around sexuality can hinder personal growth and connection.
• Creating supportive systems in relationships can alleviate stress.
• Pleasure is a birthright!

You can find Lil on Instagram at @neurokinnection.

Overview: In this engaging conversation, Jess, a registered psychologist, shares her journey of discovering her autism and ADHD. She discusses her early career experiences, the importance of lived experience in psychology, and the challenges of masking in social situations. Jess emphasises the push-pull dynamic between autism and ADHD, exploring how it affects her daily life and interactions. The conversation highlights the significance of self-advocacy, understanding one's own needs, and the importance of going with the tussle in your own brain.

Takeaways:

• Understanding one's neurodivergent identity can lead to greater self-acceptance.
• Masking is a common coping mechanism for AuDHDers.
• The push-pull dynamic between autism and ADHD can be exhausting.
• Self-advocacy is crucial in navigating social situations.
• Community support enhances well-being for neurodivergent individuals.
• Recognising bodily cues can help manage overwhelm.
• It's important to lean into one's thoughts and feelings.
• Working with the tug of war rather than fighting it leads to better outcomes.

You can find Jess on instagram at @pinkzebra.psychology