In this powerful episode of Heart of the Hustle, I sit down with educator, advocate, and neurodivergent mom Danielle Perrotta to talk about creating safe, inclusive spaces for neurodiverse kids. Danielle shares her deeply personal story—living with ADHD and bipolar disorder, raising a daughter with multiple diagnoses including autism and epilepsy, and building a business that helps youth programs become truly inclusive.

We talk candidly about the gaps in education and afterschool programming, the exhaustion of masking, and why “normal” is an outdated concept. Danielle brings both lived experience and professional insight to the conversation—and her work is changing the game for educators, parents, and program leaders.

🎧 Meet the Guest:
Danielle Perrotta is the founder of Different Minds, Strong Bonds, a consulting and advocacy organization dedicated to helping camps, enrichment programs, and youth organizations become neuro-affirming and inclusive.
🔗 Website: differentmindsus.com/
📸 Instagram: @differentmindsstrongbonds, @danielleperrotta
🔗 LinkedIn: Danielle Perrotta

✨ Want a full month of content from just one hour of conversation? Be a guest on Heart of the Hustle and walk away with ready-to-post reels, blog copy, captions, and a beautifully produced podcast episode filmed in-studio. 

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube or stream it on your favorite podcasting platform.

⏱️ Timestamps:

01:05 – Welcome and introduction: Heart of the Hustle at Maplewood NJ Library
01:51 – Danielle’s neurodiversity journey: self-diagnosis with ADHD
02:18 – Childhood masking, family reactions, and school experiences
03:19 – College coping strategies and diagnosis
04:19 – Motherhood, postpartum, and recognizing neurodiversity in her daughter
05:19 – Daughter’s unique communication and multiple diagnoses (epilepsy, ADHD, autism)
06:23 – The challenge of multiple diagnoses and learning to manage
09:56 – Mental health crisis, bipolar diagnosis, and improved family relationships
11:23 – Building confidence, openness, and supporting other parents
12:23 – The importance of curiosity, empathy, and reducing judgment
14:46 – Accepting differences and evolving perspectives
18:13 – Creating adaptive programs for kids with diverse needs
19:33 – The importance of quiet spaces and staff awareness
20:58 – Helping programs retain clients and serve families better
21:55 – The exhaustion of masking and the need for decompression
22:53 – Unmasking, support circles, and self-care strategies
23:45 – Sensory needs and celebrating children’s unique ways of recharging
24:41 – Setting boundaries and supporting children’s needs
25:41 – Danielle’s consulting work: afterschool, camps, and classes
27:43 – The “magic” of classroom management revisited
28:41 – Building relationships and empowering kids to lead
29:23 – Practicing strategies and preparing for challenges
31:39 – Ongoing support, feedback, and gentle program exits
32:54 – The business case for inclusive programs
34:06 – Community events, quiet spaces, and feeling invited
36:10 – Danielle’s vision for inclusive communities
36:31 – Where to find Danielle: Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube

🎯 Want to Walk Away With a Month of Content in Just One Hour?

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-Short-form reels and audiograms
-Done-for-you captions and pull quotes
-A full SEO blog post
-Strategy-backed content that builds authority and connection

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