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Featuring: Lucy — Art therapist based in Melbourne, Australia, working at the intersection of creativity, neurodivergence, sensory regulation, and relational healing. People rarely heal by talking alone; this week, Lucy joins me to explain that slow and soft sensory practices can be the most powerful tools for nervous system repair, especially for neurodivergent people who’ve built up trauma just trying to survive without proper self-understanding. Curious What’s Inside? 1. Crafting for Nervous System Repair: how slow, tactile art forms like embroidery can support regulation, agency, and self-worth when words and traditional therapy fall short. 2. Craft as stimming: How hand-crafting creates felt-safety through rhythm, repetition, and choice. 3. Animals & Co-Regulation: Exploring how animals can buff your restoration score 4. Sensory Awareness & Grounding: Low-demand grounding practices that don’t rely on breathwork or visualization techniques Questions We Answer: - Why do some people heal more through creating art than in talk therapy? - How can craft support executive function and emotional regulation? - What makes breathwork grounding inaccessible for many neurodivergent people? - How do animals support co-regulation in therapy and daily life? - What does low-demand grounding actually look like in practice? Guest & Links Lucy, Art Therapist Instagram: @embrace.this.space Youtube: @EmbraceThisSpace Website: https://embracethisspace.com.au Pencil Dust — animated podcast about art, neurodivergence, and late diagnosis @PencilDustPod Connect With Us ⁠ https://www.ndreportpod.com/⁠ Follow @ndreportpod on your social platform of choice

Featuring: Ryan Baker-Barrett, BCBA — ADHD clinician, parent of neurodivergent kids, and adult diagnosed with ADHD later in life. I keep hearing stories of adults who don’t receive diagnosis until after their relationships fall apart. In this episode, Ryan Baker-Barrett shares his experience with inattentive ADHD, barriers to medication access, and what it’s like to parent neurodivergent kids while managing his own late diagnosis & private practice. Curious What’s Inside? - Late ADHD Diagnosis: Why inattentive ADHD is often missed in childhood. - Inattentive ADHD (What's it feel like?): Time blindness, hyperfocus, weak interoception, and fatigue. - Medication Access & Gatekeeping: Long waitlists, neuropsych requirements, stigma, & shortages. - Parenting With ADHD: Naming overstimulation, modeling boundaries, and letting kids see adults rest. Questions We're Answering: 1. Why does inattentive ADHD often go undiagnosed? 2. What stops adults from accessing ADHD medication? 3. How does ADHD affect parenting and emotional regulation? 4. How to practice self-compassion with ADHD? Guest & Links Ryan Baker-Barrett, BCBA Founder, Applied Behavioral Health Practice Instagram: @adhd_by_abhp Website: https://www.appliedbehavioral.health/ Connect With Us! ⁠ https://www.ndreportpod.com/⁠ @ndreportpod on your social platform of choice!

How does it feel to spend 20 years masking in the corporate world, only to have the rug pulled out the moment you finally ask for help? Romina Massa joins us to discuss her resilience story, which is still being written as we speak. Curious What's Inside? The "Reasonable" Request: Romina reveals the shockingly simple workplace accommodation she requested that led to her corporate exit. She shares why it was seen as "audacity" rather than a tool for success. The Post-Diagnosis "Switch": We discuss the frustrating and often condescending way people’s behavior shifts the moment you disclose a neurodivergent diagnosis. The Freedom of the "Outbox": How does Romina use technology to "hide" her non-traditional working hours? She believes the freelance model is often a necessity rather than a choice for neurodivergent professionals. Protecting Your Peace: Romina shares her personal mantra for setting boundaries. She explains why "I’m sorry" is usually the wrong response to an autism diagnosis. Diplomats & Drama: A look into Romina’s childhood as the daughter of a diplomat. She reflects on how her family navigated her "dramatic" traits before anyone had a name for them. Key Questions Answered in the Audio What is the one question you should always ask a friend who has just disclosed their diagnosis? Why does the 9-to-5 "creative brain" often feel like it’s whittling away to nothing? How can you tell if you are "masking" your way through your career? The Importance of Understanding Understanding the complexities of neurodivergence is crucial. It helps us create a more inclusive environment. When we acknowledge these differences, we foster acceptance and support. This understanding can lead to meaningful conversations and connections. Resources Mentioned Kaboose Romina Massa on LinkedIn Romina Massa on Instagram Romina Massa's Website Connect With Us! Stay connected! Visit us at The Neurodivergent Report or follow @ndreportpod on your social platform of choice! Romina's story is a powerful reminder that asking for help is not an act of audacity but a step towards authenticity. If you’re navigating similar challenges, remember, you’re not alone. Embrace your journey, and let’s continue to support one another.

What is this tool? Homage to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs As with most foundational psychologists, Maslow is not without criticism. That said, all I really know about him is that an article he wrote, "A Theory of Human Motivation" (1943) was used to create the pyramidal hierarchy of needs graphic that I know and love today. Learn to practice Bottom-Up Body Scans START reflecting at Layer 1: Physical Survival Have you eaten recently? Thirsty? Running on 5 hrs of sleep? Uh-oh! Sounds like this level might be "UNSTABLE" Remember: if your basic physical needs are not met, you will be less able to perform tasks in the higher levels of the hierarchy. Not because there's something wrong with you, but because your foundation is not stable. PLEASE let go of expectations for Layers 4, 5, and 6 for the day. CONTINUE reflecting through each level, to assess which physiological needs you might want to focus on fulfilling for the day! There's nothing worse than spending a whole day trying to solve the wrong problem. Neurodivergent-Friendly Visual Validation & Prioritization Tool: Sometimes the brain is like "no, I won't be doing that right now or ever, thanks for asking." The built-in visualization for marking a level "unstable," (where the upper layers become faded and get a red border) validates that visceral feeling of "I can't even..." This tool isn't about trying to have a perfect pyramid every day; it’s merely an assessment tool to practice finding the stressor that is impacting your nervous system. Follow us @ndreportpod Let me know how this lands with you... I am considering this tool a WIP (work-in-progress)

Neurodivergent Rebel, Lyric Rivera, joins me to discuss the rite-of-passage crises that compel us to confront burnout, identity, capitalism, and the quiet self-abandonment we learned to survive with. Curious What’s Inside? The “Rite of Passage” Crisis: Why do so many neurodivergent individuals hit collapse? “Queer-Adjacent Without The Language”: Growing up in the Texas Bible Belt, feeling out of place without the words to articulate a non-binary identity. Capitalism's Lie: How destroying your body, your boundaries, and even the planet gets framed as “success” and why we're refusing that narrative. Protecting Your Peace: Unlearning performative identity, setting boundaries, and choosing emotional safety over productivity theater. Lavender Gelato & Feeling at Home: A delightful discussion about cozy things. The Journey of Collapse and Healing Many neurodivergent individuals experience an identity collapse before they can begin healing. This journey is often fraught with challenges. Understanding this process is essential for moving forward. Why Do We Experience Collapse? The collapse often stems from societal pressures and internalized beliefs. We may feel the weight of expectations that don’t align with our true selves. This can lead to burnout and a crisis of identity. Discovering Autism and Its Impact When we discover our neurodivergent identities, it opens doors to questioning not just our gender but also capitalism and self-abandonment. This self-discovery can be liberating but also overwhelming. The Intersection of Racism and Mental Health Racism and colonial thinking can shape our experiences in parenting, education, and mental health systems. These influences often complicate our journeys, making it vital to address them. Key Questions Answered in the Audio Why do so many neurodivergent people experience an identity collapse before healing can begin? How does discovering autism open the door to questioning gender, capitalism, and self-abandonment? What happens when racism, colonial thinking, and “just a difference of opinion” shape parenting, education, and mental health systems? Resources Mentioned Lyric Rivera — Neurodivergent Rebel Autism Identity in Me — Lyric’s latest book Connect With Us! The Neurodivergent Report @ndreportpod on your social platform of choice! Embracing Our Stories We all have stories that shape who we are. Embracing these narratives can help us find community and understanding. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Finding Your Voice Finding your voice is crucial. It’s about expressing your truth and standing firm in your identity. This process can be daunting, but it’s also empowering. Creating Safe Spaces Creating safe spaces for ourselves and others is essential. We need environments where we can be authentic without fear of judgment. The Power of Connection Connection is powerful. Sharing our experiences can foster understanding and reduce stigma. Let’s build a supportive platform for shared experiences and expert insights. Lavender Gelato and Cozy Moments Let’s not forget the little joys, like lavender gelato. These cozy moments remind us to savor life, even amidst challenges. They provide comfort and a sense of belonging. Moving Forward Together As we navigate our journeys, let’s move forward together. By supporting one another, we can create a brighter future. Remember, your story matters. Let’s embrace our identities and celebrate our journeys. You are worthy of love, understanding, and success on your terms.

This is the most emotionally honest episode I’ve ever recorded. In today’s conversation, Shaun Arora returns to The Neurodivergent Report to talk about work–life balance, but what really happened is way more useful. Listen now to co-regulate with me from all things overwhelm, chronic illness, and executive dysfunction. If you feel dizzy surviving a world that won’t slow down for you, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. *TRIGGER WARNING; crying* Curious what’s inside: Why Microsoft’s “time spent = goal acheived” model falls apart for ADHD and chronic illness Why rigid systems don’t work for brains that fluctuate The somatic signs of emotional overload How to transition after a moment of dysregulation Vulnerability as leadership: find the courage to let yourself be witnessed However you are able to engage, thanks for being here! With love, Sarah 💜 Resources Mentioned Microsoft research on data-driven implementation intentions & mental contrasting[https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/improving-work-nonwork-balance-with-data-driven-implementation-intention-and-mental-contrasting/] Bilateral stimulation exercises Shaun’s suggestions for measuring subjective progress Grounding techniques and sensory regulation strategies Looking For Shaun? Shaun Arora - Neurodiversity advocate, coach, and founder at braintypes.org Connect With Us Find The Neurodivergent Report on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, BlueSky, and Substack: @ndreportpod Want to support the show? Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, or visit ndreportpod.com to learn more or apply to be a guest contributor. Until next time, Be well. Do good.

Jonathan Bernstein [investigative journalist, crisis-management expert, and founder of The Snark Knight] joins us to talk late-life autism diagnosis, justice-driven activism, intuition as a superpower, and why everyone is “big enough to do something.” Jonathan shares his unconventional path—from military intelligence to investigative journalism to 40 years in crisis-management PR—before receiving an autism and bipolar diagnosis in his 70s. He reflects on growing up as a diplomat’s child, navigating shame, and developing hyper-intuition. Jonathan reminds us that “inaction is also action” and everyone can do something. Curious what’s inside? Recovering from shame via compassionate adult identity repair Justice sensitivity & responding to political crisis’ Launching The Snark Knight and related media projects Why compassion matters in cult recovery and de-radicalization How neurodivergent people “feel” social climate shifts However you are able to engage, thank you for being here! With love, Sarah Looking for The Snark Knight? ⁠ https://snarkknight.com/⁠ Connect with us! https://www.ndreportpod.com/ @NDreportpod on the socials

w/ Ryann Sutera from @support_the_spectrum In this episode of The Neurodivergent Report, we had an energetic chat with Ryann from Support_The_Spectrum , a speech-language pathologist specializing in neurodivergent communication. Curious what’s inside? What is Gestalt Language Processing? & how is it different from analytic language processing? What does PDA [Persistent Drive for Autonomy | aka Pathological Demand Avoidance] have to do with nervous-system dysregulation? What impacts neurodivergent communication? The intersection of executive function, emotional regulation, sensory processing and memory What educators, therapists and families should be asking the learner Do you help support learners, young or old? This episode will help you find the language skills you are looking for to best facilitate communication and promote understanding! However you are able to engage, thank you for being here! Love, Sarah 💜 Looking for Ryann? Website: [https://www.support-the-spectrum.com/] https://linktr.ee/support_the_spectrum Socials: [@support_the_spectrum] Connect With Us Follow us on Socials: [@ndreportpod] Apply to be a guest on The Neurodivergent Report: [NDReportPod.com]

Meet Rebecca Irby , Founder of PEAC Institute! What can we learn from her story of cross-cultural connection? Together, we chat about cultural identity, empathy, and the neurodivergent experience through her lens as educator and UN peace advocate. (Peace, Education, Art & Culture). Curious what’s inside? - Empathy must be taught — but how? - Psychological safety is the foundation for growth and collaboration. - Storytelling and community are catalysts for peace and progress. We also talk about what it means to create psychological safety, the power of storytelling, and why real social change always begins in community. However you are able to engage, thank you for being here! With love, Sarah Looking for Rebecca? 🌍 peacinstitute.org 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccairby/ 📸 (@equity.doula on socials) Connect with us! Follow 👉 @ndreportpod Apply to be a guest 🎤⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ndreportpod.com⁠

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Report, Sarah and JQ welcome back Sol Smith, certified autism specialist, author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery, and founder of the NeuroSpicy Community! Curious what’s inside: Autonomy and choice are essential for neurodivergent learners PDA as a drive for autonomy rather than “demand avoidance” “There’s no such thing as an academic emergency…” Supporting kids’ special interests as pathways to motivation and resilience Importance of self-advocacy skills However you are able to engage, thanks for being here! With love, Sarah 💜 Looking for Sol? 🌐 professorsol.com 🌐 neurospicycommunity.com 📘 The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery – available wherever books are sold 📱 Instagram: @theprofessorsol 📱 TikTok: @professorsol Connect with us! Follow 👉 @ndreportpod Apply to be a guest 🎤⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ndreportpod.com⁠ Keywords (we’ve gotta please the SEO) AuDHD, ADHD, autism, PDA, Pervasive Demand for Autonomy, neurodivergent students, school accommodations, emotional regulation, executive function, SEL, autonomy in education, self-advocacy, parenting neurodivergent kids, classroom strategies, masking, burnout, neurodiversity, The Neurodivergent Report

w/ Annika from Nutrimind Lab Do our brains and guts actually talk to each other??? In this episode, we’re sitting down with Annika from Nutrimind Lab to unpack how nutrition plays a pivotal role in ADHD & behavioral health. We explore everything from omega-3s and inflammation to interoception and hunger signals. 🔍 Curious what’s inside: Managing physical health through nutrition We talk about managing hunger signals & interoception (that internal sense of what your body needs) What does chronic stress have to do with nutrition?! Ultimately: it’s not just about “fixing” something. It’s about understanding, acceptance, and building your community and tools so you can feel better in your brain, body, and day-to-day life. However you are able to engage, thank you for being here! With Love, Sarah Connect with us: Socials: @NDreportpod Apply to be a guest: NDreportpod.com Looking for Annika? Website: ⁠nutrimindlab.com⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@nutrimindlab 🎧 Podcast: The Nutritional Mental Health Podcast 🧩 Keywords for SEO neurodivergent · ADHD · nutrition · gut-brain connection · mental health · inflammation · omega-3 · diagnosis · health challenges · personal stories · neurodiversity · interoception · gut health · chronic stress · coping strategies · hunger signals · self-acceptance · ADHD nutrition · holistic health

Come meet Brett, The Audhd Boss! We’re talking about workplace accommodations; both how to ask for them and what to even try!!! Curious what’s inside: The realities of neurodivergence in professional spaces, namely the impacts to the way we show up at work. Unpacking the importance of accommodations and how/what to ask for Why open communication and psychological safety are essential for neurodivergent success. Through personal experiences and practical strategies, we discuss self-regulation, emotional triggers, burnout prevention, and how to ask for clarity without feeling “difficult.” Whether you are a neurodivergent in the workplace, or hold a position in management - this episode has something to offer you! Looking for Brett? Website: https://brettwhitmarsh.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettwhitmarsh/ Podcast: https://brettwhitmarsh.com/audhdboss-podcast/ Connect with Us! ✨ Follow us The Neurodivergent Report and @NDreportpod on socials for more 🎤Apply to be our guest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠NDreportpod.com⁠