In this powerful episode of the Reframing Neurodiversity podcast, host Melissa Jackson explores why true ADHD support for kids must begin with the adults in their lives—especially mothers. Drawing from personal experience, professional work, and research, Melissa explains how regulating our own nervous systems, understanding our triggers, and reparenting ourselves lays the foundation for our children to thrive. When adults feel more empowered and equipped, kids benefit naturally—emotionally, behaviorally, and academically.

What you'll learn:

• Why healing and ADHD support starts with parents, not just the child
• How your own nervous system impacts your child's ability to regulate
• The importance of self-awareness, reparenting, and co-regulation
• Practical strategies to move from dysregulation to grounded calm
• How small, nervous-system-safe steps lead to big changes over time
• Why traditional approaches to "fixing the child" miss the mark—and how to shift that narrative

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and begin your own healing journey so you can better support your neurodivergent child from a place of calm and authenticity.

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In this episode of Reframing Neurodiversity, we're exploring the deep-rooted impact of good girl conditioning and perfectionism, particularly for women with ADHD. She shares personal insights and practical strategies for unlearning people-pleasing behaviors, setting boundaries, and creating a sense of safety in the nervous system. It's all about the importance of taking small, manageable steps toward authenticity and self-acceptance to foster true emotional and physical well-being. You got this!

What you'll learn:

• How ADHD and good girl conditioning contribute to people-pleasing and self-abandonment
• The connection between ADHD, nervous system regulation, and emotional dysregulation
• Practical strategies for setting boundaries and taking up space in a way that feels safe
• Why small, intentional steps are key to unmasking and embracing authenticity
• How releasing perfectionism and people-pleasing can improve mental and physical health
• The role of nervous system regulation in healing ADHD-related burnout and overwhelm
• How to shift your mindset to feel safer in your body while making life changes

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In today’s episode, I sit down with Kate Moryoussef, a wellbeing and lifestyle coach specializing in late-diagnosed women with ADHD. We discuss why so many women have gone undiagnosed for years, how ADHD symptoms can become overwhelming as we navigate motherhood and hormonal shifts, and what steps we can take to support ourselves. Kate shares her expertise on emotional regulation, the role of hormones in ADHD, and holistic strategies like EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) that help women move from overwhelm to empowerment.

What you’ll learn:

• Why many women are diagnosed with ADHD later in life
• How undiagnosed ADHD can contribute to anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt
• The role of hormones in ADHD and how they impact mood and cognition
• How emotional regulation and nervous system work can improve ADHD symptoms
• The benefits of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) for managing overwhelm and stress
• Practical self-care strategies to prevent burnout and create balance
• How breaking generational cycles of dysregulation benefits both moms and their children

Connect With Kate:

Website: www.adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In today’s episode, we explore the deep connection between high sensitivity, trauma, and ADHD symptoms. I discuss how early attachment experiences shape our nervous system responses and how trauma—especially for highly sensitive individuals—can impact attention, emotional regulation, and self-perception. I also share insights from Dr. Gabor Maté’s work and my personal journey with ADHD, motherhood, and healing. This conversation may be triggering, but leaning into discomfort is often where the most profound growth happens. If you’ve ever wondered how trauma and ADHD intersect, this episode is for you!

What you'll learn:

• How early attachment and nervous system regulation influence ADHD symptoms
• The role of high sensitivity in experiencing and processing trauma
• Why trauma isn’t just about major events but also chronic, subtle experiences
• How dissociation and people-pleasing develop as survival mechanisms
• The connection between trauma, ADHD, and emotional dysregulation
• Steps to begin healing by setting boundaries and reconnecting with yourself
• The importance of nervous system regulation in breaking generational patterns

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the root of self-abandonment, masking, and people-pleasing—and how these survival mechanisms not only disconnect us from our true selves but can also manifest as emotional and physical illness. Building on last week’s discussion about the link between people-pleasing and autoimmune conditions, we explore how to create safety within ourselves to show up authentically and heal. I share practical steps to start setting boundaries, recognizing your true needs, and shifting your nervous system into a place of regulation and self-trust.

What you'll learn:

• How masking and people-pleasing lead to emotional and physical suffering
• Why boundaries are an act of self-love and a key step in healing
• How to create safety in your nervous system to be your authentic self
• The impact of self-abandonment on relationships and how to rebuild from within
• How healing yourself helps you model authenticity for your children

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In this episode, I explore the powerful connection between people-pleasing, self-abandonment, and autoimmune disease. Inspired by Dr. Gabor Maté’s insights, I dive into why 80% of autoimmune conditions occur in women and how the societal conditioning to be "good girls" can take a serious toll on our physical health. I share my personal journey of developing and healing multiple autoimmune conditions—without medication—by addressing the emotional wounds and nervous system dysregulation that kept me stuck. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve lost yourself to meet the expectations of others, this episode will help you understand how returning to your true, authentic self can be the key to healing both emotionally and physically.

What you’ll learn:

• The connection between people-pleasing, self-abandonment, and autoimmune disease
• Why women are disproportionately affected by autoimmune conditions
• How suppressed emotions, especially anger, contribute to chronic illness
• Why nervous system regulation is a crucial piece of healing
• The role of authenticity in reversing autoimmune symptoms
• Small, tangible steps to start reconnecting with your true self and healing your body

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In this episode of Reframing Neurodiversity, I chat withMegan Barnett, an Executive Function coach, to dive into the holistic ways we can support neurodivergent children and their families. We discuss the importance of addressing ADHD, anxiety, and other challenges from a strengths-based and compassionate lens, rather than focusing solely on behaviors. You'll hear us explore how nervous system regulation, emotional connection, and rethinking traditional systems play a pivotal role in helping neurodivergent kids—and their parents—thrive!

What you’ll learn:

• How emotional regulation and nervous system awareness are key to supporting neurodivergent children
• Why addressing root causes, like trauma and chronic stress, can transform executive function strategies
• The challenges of navigating traditional school systems for neurodivergent kids
• How parents’ self-regulation and support can positively impact their child’s success
• The benefits of a holistic approach that combines neuroscience, emotional connection, and family collaboration

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In this episode, I reflect on the energy of the new year and how it can often feel like a time of pressure to change quickly, especially for those of us who are neurodivergent. Let's talk about moving away from rigid resolutions and embracing a gentler, more intentional approach to creating the life we want. Together, we explore the core wounds many neurodivergent people carry—like feeling unseen or misunderstood—and how these can lead to patterns like people-pleasing and perfectionism.

You'll learn:

• Why traditional New Year’s resolutions may not align with neurodivergent minds and how to set more intentional goals
• The core wounds many neurodivergent people carry, such as feeling unseen, misunderstood, or alone, and how they impact our lives
• How survival mechanisms like people-pleasing and perfectionism develop and keep us from living authentically
• The importance of befriending your nervous system to break free from old patterns and feel safe being your true self
• Practical steps to shift self-limiting beliefs and create more aligned, meaningful connections in your life
• Why showing compassion and curiosity toward yourself is key to embracing your unique gifts

Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!

Take the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?

Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/about

Connect with Melissa:

Website: https://www.theneurodiversityadvocate.com/

Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

Watch or Read this Episode Here.

I'm so excited to have my friend, Alissa Boyer, on today- who is a mentor and coach for highly sensitive people.

Alissa is a personal friend who's helped me on my journey as a highly sensitive, ADHD mom, and I just can't wait to dive into:

* Finding your self-worth in your sensitivity

* And helping you get to the root of living your best life.

High sensitivity is a common characteristic of ADHD and neurodivergence. While that neurowiring can be a challenge, I feel like it's so easy for us to fall into that victim mentality around life is hard, things are hard, things are harder for me.

And I feel that we are so aligned in how we empower people to see this high sensitivity as a gift. That it's actually a strength and an advantage.

P.S. Craving a safe space to reparent yourself, self-regulate and cycle break with other ADHD moms who get it? Check out my community here on Substack.

Connect with Alissa

The Sensitive and Soulful Show

Learn more about her coaching

Follow her on Instagram

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