Neurodivergent Conversations | Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, SEND parent, Meltdowns, Special Needs Parent

By That Sounds Fun NetworkSociety & Culture Education Relationships Parenting Kids & Family

Neurodivergent Conversations | Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, SEND parent, Meltdowns, Special Needs Parent episodes

January 29Selective Eating in Autism: Food Jagging, and a Realistic Mealtime Reset with Brittyn Coleman
If mealtimes feel like a daily stress test, you’re not imagining it and you’re not failing. Sometimes it’s not the food that’s the problem, it’s the overwhelm wrapped around it. In this episode, we talk about what a realistic “reset” around food can look like for autistic kids, ADHD kids, and sensory sensitive kids, especially after a season like Christmas where everything felt loud and unstructured.
Today’s guest is Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD (Autism Dietitian). She supports families raising kids on the autism spectrum (and kids with sensory processing challenges) using sensory-informed, sensory-friendly nutrition approaches. She also shares the personal why behind her work, and practical strategies that protect trust, reduce pressure, and make progress feel possible.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
what “resetting” mealtimes can actually look like when your child has safe foods and big sensory needs

why nervous system regulation matters for eating (and what to do if your child comes to the table already dysregulated)

how to simplify the mealtime environment (noise, clutter, lights, screens) without trying to be perfect

the difference between expanding a diet vs removing foods, including the idea: add before you subtract

what food jagging is, why it often shows up with ADHD and autism, and how to prevent food burnout

the “division of responsibility” approach to feeding, and what is (and is not) your job as the parent

Brittyn’s practical “one new food per week” strategy, plus how to build an easy food list to reduce decision fatigue

GUEST LINKS: ⁠⁠
Follow Brittyn
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39 min
January 22Parenting Burnout in Neurodivergent Families: Signs, Symptoms, and Micro Steps to Recover with Eleonora
You can be “fine” on paper and still be running on empty. If you’re doing the school meetings, the appointments, the meals, the meltdowns, and the mental load, but you can’t remember the last time you booked your own doctor’s appointment, this episode is for you. We’re naming burnout for what it is, what it looks like in real life, and the smallest first step to stop the spiral before you hit the wall.
Today’s guest is Eleonora, who supports families and caregivers and has a real-life, practical lens on what burnout looks like for parents, especially those raising neurodivergent kids. In this conversation, we talk about the difference between being tired and being depleted, how burnout builds over time, and what “caring for the caregiver” can look like when your life already feels maxed out.
In this episode, we cover:
what burnout actually is, and the questions that reveal it (sleep, food, water, emotional reactions, and how you respond in crisis)

burnout vs regular parenting exhaustion, and why burnout is not solved by one good night of sleep

the “caregiver balance sheet” idea, and how noticing patterns helps you interrupt them

self-care myths that keep parents stuck (it has to be expensive, it has to take hours, it’s selfish)

micro moments that actually work, like a five-minute pause, silence, darkness, or a tiny check-in with yourself

a surprisingly powerful strategy: removing one task from your plate and delegating it fully

how to make it easier to accept help by keeping a list of three things someone can do when they ask

why this matters for the whole family, because caring for yourself supports your ability to show up with clarity and resilience

Ready for a reset?
Join my free 3-day workshop Overwhelm Reset starting January 26th:

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L⁠earn about the ⁠Exhausted to Empowered Collective⁠⁠⁠
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29 min
January 15ADHD Budgeting That Actually Works (Without Shame) — with Jules the Budget Nerd
Ever feel like you’ll “deal with it later”… and then later never comes?
In this episode, Jules (aka Jules the Budget Nerd) and I talk about what money looks like with an ADHD brain—impulse spending, shame spirals, and why “perfect budgeting” can actually make things worse.
And yes… we also talk about budgeting as self-care (even if you hate that phrase).
Jules is a budgeting coach who helps people get out of debt with practical systems that don’t rely on rigid spreadsheets or unrealistic willpower. She shares her own story—knowing the “right” money rules, still ending up in a runaway debt train, and the guilt of feeling like she should be doing better.
In our conversation, we chat about:
Why ADHD + credit cards can turn into a “later” problem that keeps growing

Letting your budget flex by season (debt payoff season, saving season, trip season)

How to stop trying to do everything at once—because it’s exhausting and it backfires

“Fun money” as a permission slip (and a relationship-saver)

ADHD-friendly systems that reduce decision fatigue (hello grocery pickup + fewer temptations)

A simple way to model money habits for kids: talk about money, set a store goal, and play “would you rather”
If you’re a neurodivergent mama (or raising a neurodivergent kid) and money feels like one more place you’re “failing”… this episode will feel like a deep exhale—and a reset you can actually follow through on.

Sign up for the 3 day Overwhelm Reset Workshop

GUEST LINKS:
Jewlz the budget nerd

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⁠Check out the refreshed website⁠
Learn about the ⁠Exhausted to Empowered Collective⁠
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FACEBOOK⁠

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36 min
January 08Sensory Meltdowns : A Realistic Reset for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Kids
Christmas is over… but your nervous system didn’t get the memo. If you’re heading into January feeling fried, overstimulated, and like you’re already behind, this episode is your permission slip to reset realistically—emotionally, mentally, and practically.
Laura and I talk about what’s actually going on underneath sensory meltdowns (hint: it’s communication), how to spot your own “I’m not okay” signs before you crash, and how to be more proactive than reactive when your child is dysregulated.
My guest, Laura, has a background in teaching and now supports parents navigating the toughest parts of neurodivergent family life—especially sensory overload and meltdowns.
She’s also the creator of The PAUSE Method, a practical digital course built for real life (because “accessible support” isn’t accessible when evenings are meltdown central).
Here’s what we get into—like you’re sitting with us at the kitchen table:
What a realistic reset looks like for overwhelmed parents: noticing what’s not working, celebrating the “tiny acts of courage” you forget you do daily, and spotting your own distress signals before burnout hits.

A mindset shift for meltdowns: your child isn’t “being aggressive”—their body might be asking for sensory input (like proprioceptive/deep pressure needs).

Practical sensory supports you can try: wall pushes, press-ups, throwing/catching, “indoor snowballs,” weighted blankets, deep pressure, and learning what your child’s movement is telling you.

Why “proactive not reactive” matters (and what a sensory diet actually means).

Laura’s PAUSE Method breakdown: physiology, adult awareness, unhelpful thoughts, stress & demands, and boundaries—so you’re not just surviving the meltdown, you’re changing what happens around it too.
And the note I hope lands the deepest: nothing is broken—we just need different strategies (and sometimes a couple of recharge breaks).

Join me for a 3 day Overwhelm Reset Workshop

GUEST LINKS:

The PAUSE Method

GET THE LINKS
⁠⁠Check out the refreshed website⁠⁠⁠
Learn about the ⁠Exhausted to Empowered Collective⁠⁠
Follow me on socials:
⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
FACEBOOK⁠⁠

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38 min
January 01Neurodivergent Conversations Begins: 2026 Plans, Community, and Resetting
New year, new name, same heart. On this New Year’s Day episode, it’s just Greer and Chris having a real, relaxed chat about what’s coming in 2026 for their neurodivergent family and the community they’re building. If you’re craving more calm, more support, and more “oh, it’s not just me” moments, this one is for you.
You’ll hear from Greer Jones, podcast host and neuro-affirming coach, alongside Chris (Greer’s husband and co-builder behind the scenes) as they talk through what’s next for the podcast and the bigger mission: helping neurodivergent families feel less alone in the everyday.
In this episode, we talk about:
The podcast rename to Neurodivergent Conversations and why it helps more neurodivergent parents find this space

The vision for 2026: more time as a family, more momentum, and more community-led growth

A 3-day virtual summit planned for May (dates coming soon) with experts on the real-life topics neurodivergent families face

The launch of the Exhausted to Empowered Collective, including the course, weekly calls, and an app-based community

Why tiny, realistic changes matter, and how to actually apply what you learn to your own life

Greer’s upcoming book for parents who feel like typical parenting advice just does not fit
If you’ve ever thought, “Why does motherhood feel so hard for me?” or “I just want a plan that works for our family,” you’re in the right place.

GET THE LINKS
Check out the refreshed website
Learn about the Exhausted to Empowered Collective

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22 min
December 18, 2025Why ADHD Makes Decisions Feel So Hard and What Helps: Goals, Accountability, and the AIR Reset with Brooke Schnittman
Have you ever stared at a simple decision and suddenly it feels weirdly massive? Like your brain is running every possible outcome at full volume, and now you are frozen.
In this episode, we talk about why ADHD decision making can feel so heavy, how decision fatigue builds faster, and what to do when you hit that stuck loop.
Greer is joined by Brooke Schnittman (ADHD coach and creator in the ADHD space) for a real, relatable conversation about decision paralysis, dopamine, and the day to day overwhelm that so many neurodivergent parents and adults carry.
In this conversation, you will hear:
Why ADHD can make every option feel equally urgent, especially with inattentive ADHD, and why even “small” choices can feel high stakes

A simple way to sort “big vs small” decisions by anchoring back to your goals, plus why accountability matters when your brain forgets the goal exists (hello, object permanence)

What Brooke calls the ADHD disruption spiral, and why you cannot logic your way out when you are emotionally dysregulated

Brooke’s AIR reset (Acknowledge, Interrupt, Redirect) for getting out of freeze mode with a tiny next step that actually feels doable

Decision fatigue explained in plain language: how hundreds of daily choices drain fuel faster, why it is not laziness, and how routines can reduce the load over time
If you have ever felt shame about how long it takes you to decide, or you rely on “systems” just to stay afloat, this one will make you feel seen and give you something practical to try today.

Find Brooke on instagram or her website
Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world.
You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe.
Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain!
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30 min
December 11, 2025Motherhood & Friendship: Building Authentic Community When Life Gets Overwhelming with Stephanie May Wilson
Motherhood changes everything — your routines, your energy, and especially your friendships.
As life gets busier and capacity feels smaller, many moms wonder: how do I stay connected when I barely have time for myself?
In this heartfelt and practical episode, Greer sits down with Stephanie May Wilson — author, speaker, and trusted friendship mentor — to talk about how friendships evolve during motherhood and why authentic community matters now more than ever.
A mom of twin girls, Stephanie shares her real-life experiences of navigating the early, overwhelming days of motherhood, offering honest encouragement and simple, doable ways to nurture connection even when life feels full.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why friendship is essential for moms’ mental and emotional health

How to stay connected when energy and time are limited

Creative ways to blend motherhood and friendship

Why “small moments” can sustain meaningful relationships

How modelling healthy friendships benefits your children
This episode is for every mom craving connection and reassurance that you’re not alone — real community is still possible, even in the busiest season of motherhood.

LINKS
Follow Stephanie May
Listen to Girls Night
Join the Unfinished Community WhatsApp. Where you can share your everyday joys, struggles, and differences! Click here to join.

Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world.

You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe.
Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain!
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok
Website

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33 min
December 04, 2025How to Truly “See” Neurodivergent Families ft. Carlos Whittaker
What if one small moment of compassion could change an entire day for a neurodivergent child—or their parent? So many ND families live with daily overwhelm, meltdowns in public, invisible disabilities, and the feeling of not being understood. In today’s episode, we ask: What does it really look like to “see” neurodivergent families in a world that often doesn’t?
I’m joined by Carlos Whittaker—author, speaker, storyteller, and champion of walking with people instead of standing on issues. Carlos shares how choosing compassion over judgement builds bridges and creates true community, especially for neurodivergent families.
Together, we talk about:
The power of being seen and why ND families need it most

How to support a parent during a public meltdown (what to do + what NOT to say)

What small actions look like when you want to “walk with people”

Parenting differently, shrinking social circles, and finding your village

Hope, healing, and why we don’t need to be “fixed” to move forward
Simple ways anyone can make the world more inclusive for ND kids and parents

Connect with Carlos Whittaker on Instagram: @loswhit
Check out Carlos’s books, courses & community
CTA: Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast

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Join the Unfinished Community WhatsApp. Where you can share your everyday joys, struggles, and differences! Click here to join.
Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world.

You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe.
Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain!
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok
Website

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43 min
November 27, 2025Navigating school struggles and finding your people as Autism Mums with Natalie & Victoria
What happens when the people around you don’t have honest conversations about your child’s needs — and what happens when they do?
In this fun, real, and deeply relatable episode, Greer is joined by Natalie and Victoria, hosts of The Autism Mums Podcast, for a conversation packed with humour, lived experience, and practical wisdom.
Both raising autistic children with unique needs, Natalie and Victoria share their perspectives on navigating school systems, managing family dynamics, and celebrating the special interests that bring their children joy.
From school struggles and support gaps to honest conversations with educators and family members, this episode will resonate with every parent navigating autism parenting in a world that isn’t always built for their children.

In This Episode, We Talk About:
Navigating school challenges — routines, support gaps, and trust issues

Joys of seeing children thrive through special interests and routine

Meeting “your people” and finding community

Honest conversations with schools and family members

Hacks for family gatherings that actually work

Embracing differences and recognizing autistic strengths
LINKS:
Listen to the Autism Mum Podcast
Join the Unfinished Community WhatsApp. Where you can share your everyday joys, struggles, and differences! Click here to join.
Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world.
You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe.
Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain!
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok
Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 min
November 20, 2025Supporting Autistic Adults in Everyday Life: Transition, Skills & Community with Sandra Worth
What happens when the school supports disappear after graduation?
For many autistic adults, the transition to adulthood brings new challenges — independence, employment, and identity — often without the same guidance schools once provided. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this inspiring and practical episode, Greer sits down with Sandra Worth, mom of an autistic adult and leader at My Autism Connection (MAC) in Florida. Sandra shares how her organization empowers autistic adults through skill-building programs, community partnerships, and innovative initiatives that bridge the gap between school and real life.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How MAC supports autistic adults through community and connection

Real-world programs that teach driving, job, and life skills

How partnerships with law enforcement are creating safer interactions

The impact of autism ID cards and statewide officer training

What late-diagnosed adults can gain from peer support networks
Whether you’re a parent, professional, or autistic adult yourself, this episode offers hope, direction, and practical examples of what true inclusion looks like beyond the school years.

LINKS:
Check out MAC
Join the Unfinished Community WhatsApp. Where you can share your everyday joys, struggles, and differences! Click here to join.

Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world.

You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe.
Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain!
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok
Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31 min

About Neurodivergent Conversations | Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, SEND parent, Meltdowns, Special Needs Parent

From the publisher's feed

What’s it really like parenting a child with ADHD and autism? How can parents, teachers, and communities better support neurodivergent children? How do autistic and ADHD individuals experience the world? Each week, we explore these questions with practical strategies, emotional insight, and real stories.