Late-Diagnosed ADHD, Masking at Work, and Real Self-Advocacy with Samantha Kelly

If you’ve ever asked “Is it me or my brain?” this one’s for you. I sit down with Samantha Kelly to make sense of late diagnosis, masking, and what true accessibility at work can feel like.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Samantha went from a panic attack at the office to becoming a sought-after neurodivergent speaker and coach. We talk about the quiet cost of masking, the myths we carry without knowing, and a simple way to ask for what you need at work without feeling “difficult.” You’ll discover what actually helps (and what accidentally harms) when managers try to be supportive, plus the one change that could reduce burnout more than most policies on paper.

I also ask the questions many of us hesitate to say out loud: How do I balance safety with being honest? What if my workplace won’t get it? And how do I practice self-advocacy when I’m already tired?

By the end, you’ll see a clearer path to feeling seen—and a few small moves that can create big wins.

About the Guest

Samantha Kelly is an ADHD entrepreneur, coach, and trainer who helps organizations build neuroinclusive workplaces. She speaks widely on accessibility, accommodations, and practical support for neurodivergent employees. Learn more at beyondnd.com or connect on LinkedIn.

Key Timestamps

• 0:16 – Why Samantha speaks up about neurodiversity and who gets missed

• 2:29 – The “human version” of late diagnosis (and what people don’t see)

• 8:34 – When the identity of “neurodivergent coach” clicked

• 10:34 – A moment in a talk that changed everything

• 13:59 – Therapy, stigma, and the comment that led to answers

• 19:03 – The workplace panic attack that became a turning point

• 30:41 – The biggest misunderstanding about neurodivergent employees

• 38:57 – One change that could make accommodations feel humane

• 44:57 – A low-pressure way to start self-advocacy

• 52:58 – Asking for reduced hours: scary ask, real payoff

• 69:08 – What employers miss—and what actually helps

• 72:20 – How embracing difference changed Samantha’s self-view

Call to action: If this episode helped you feel seen, share it with a manager or a friend who needs it. Subscribe for more supportive, practical conversations on ADHD, autism, and accessibility in real life.

Keywords: ADHD, autism, neurodivergent, late diagnosis, masking, workplace accessibility, accommodations, therapy, burnout, self-advocacy, inclusive leadership

#Neurodiversity #ADHD #AutismAcceptance #InclusiveWorkplaces #SelfAdvocacy

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

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From “Not College Material” to Advocate: Katie Shelby on Voice, Belonging, and Real Inclusion

Told she wasn’t “college material,” Katie Shelby went anyway—and what she learned can change how we support students.

In this episode of The Neurodiversion Connection, I sit down with Katie Shelby, a paraprofessional from St. Louis living with a language impairment and learning disabilities. She went from being nonverbal in preschool to earning her degree and supporting students with Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities. You’ll hear how one conversation in high school shifted everything, why expectations matter more than we think, and the quiet practices that help students build independence and confidence.

I reveal the questions I wish more educators and parents asked, Katie shares what she uses today that she never had growing up (and why it matters), and together we push back on systems that still underestimate people. You’ll discover what real inclusion looks like day to day, how to approach self-advocacy without burning out, and a simple way to know you belong in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind.

By the end, you’ll be thinking about IEP meetings, AAC, and “college material” in a very different way. What shifted for Katie junior year? How did she turn no into a degree? And what does independence actually look like beyond test scores?

About the Guest

Katie Shelby is a paraprofessional supporting students across disabilities in St. Louis, MO. She’s written for The Mighty, is working on a book for people with learning disabilities and language impairments, and is known to many as Barney and Fred’s human (two very photogenic dachshunds).

Key Timestamps

• 0:00 – Welcome and Katie’s story beyond labels

• 1:58 – “Don’t go to college”: the moment that lit a fire

• 10:18 – The turning point: learning to self-advocate

• 12:51 – Failing forward in math and the worksheet bonfire

• 18:06 – “I belong here”: finding the right program and supports

• 19:51 – From student to para: communication, visuals, and AAC

• 24:00 – What real inclusion looks like in class

• 24:48 – Writing for The Mighty and sharing openly

• 28:08 – The book: who it’s for and why it’s needed

• 29:43 – Where to connect with Katie online

Keywords: neurodiversity, self-advocacy, special education, inclusion, learning disabilities, language impairment, AAC, Autism, college accessibility, paraprofessional

If this conversation helped you, share it with a parent, educator, or student who needs to hear it. Subscribe for more real, relatable stories and practical support.

Follow Katie on Instagram • Connect on Facebook

#Neurodiversity #SelfAdvocacy #SpecialEducation #LearningDisabilities #Inclusion

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Something has changed.

What started as conversations…
has become something deeper.

Both shows have shifted from asking questions…
to exploring the stories behind them.

Because the most powerful moments aren’t scripted.
They’re lived.

These are stories about:

• who we are

• how we think

• what we struggle with

• and what we’re still trying to understand

From neurodivergent experiences to curiosity-driven conversations about life, science, and everything in between…

This isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about slowing down…
listening…
and discovering what connects us.

Because when you really listen to someone’s story,
you start to see yourself in it.

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Intuitive Communication with Nonverbal Individuals: A 30-Year Exploration

Can intuitive communication help us better support nonverbal people? I sit down with a guest who’s spent 30+ years exploring it.

In this episode, I share the moment that set her work in motion: a horseback therapy session where she says she heard a child who didn’t use spoken language communicate with her. From there, we open up a thoughtful, respectful conversation about what this kind of communication might look like, how she approaches consent and ethics, and where it can sit alongside tools like AAC.

You’ll hear how she navigates skepticism, the boundaries she keeps to avoid overstepping, and the patterns she’s seen with families, educators, and care teams. I also ask questions you might be wondering: What signals does she pay attention to? How does she know she isn’t projecting? And what practical steps can supporters take without making assumptions?

Whether you’re a parent, educator, caregiver, or neurodivergent yourself, this conversation invites curiosity and care—without making big promises or skipping nuance.

About the Guest

My guest is an author and educator who has devoted more than three decades to intuitive communication with nonverbal individuals. Her work began in an equine-assisted setting and led to a book and ongoing support for families and professionals.

If this episode sparks a thought or question, I’d love to hear it. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and join our community for resources and support.

#Neurodiversity #NonverbalCommunication #AutismAcceptance #CaregiverSupport #EquineTherapy

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

ADHD Paralysis, The Anti-Planner, and Getting Unstuck with Dani Donovan

Feeling stuck but can’t explain why? In this episode, I sit with ADHD creator Dani Donovan to unpack what “stuck” really feels like—and how we can move again.

I ask Dani to paint that frozen moment we all know: the mess is obvious, the guilt is loud, and your body still won’t start. From there, we explore the real reasons ADHD brains stall, why it’s not laziness, and how to choose the right tool for what you’re actually feeling—stuck, overwhelmed, unmotivated, disorganized, or discouraged.

You’ll discover the simple shifts Dani uses to spark action, the low-pressure systems that help when motivation is flat, and the one thing to do first when your mind has “20 tabs open.” I also get Dani to share how she rebuilds self-trust when the inner critic won’t let up—and why a regular planner can set us up to quit.

Want to know the mantra that gets her moving, the playful kitchen routine that cleans itself, and the accountability pact that finally kept dishes out of the sink? I reveal all that and more—without turning your day into another rigid system.

Check the show notes for links to Dani’s work and The Anti-Planner.

About the Guest

Dani Donovan is an ADHD educator, illustrator, and the creator of the viral ADHD comics and bestselling book The Anti-Planner: How to Get Sh*t Done When You Don’t Feel Like It. Her work makes executive function struggles feel seen—and solvable.

Timestamps

• 0:02 – Welcome back + why “stuck” isn’t laziness

• 0:22 – Dani’s ADHD paralysis comic: what it looks like vs. how it feels

• 3:02 – Procrastination from the outside vs. what’s really going on

• 3:22 – Anti-Planner “stuck” tools and a speed-run approach

• 7:10 – Music-as-timer: making progress in one album

• 9:12 – The quiet mantra Dani uses to start anyway

• 12:05 – Why having “100 systems” can work better than one

• 14:15 – Task breakdowns that don’t create more overwhelm

• 21:18 – “20 tabs open” brain: what to do first

• 25:13 – Unmotivated ≠ lazy: the real blockers

• 30:14 – Chess while cleaning: a playful momentum builder

• 41:47 – One simple system you can start today

• 46:07 – Discouraged: shame, expectations, and feeling like a failure

• 49:10 – Rebuilding self-trust with small wins

• 51:06 – Forgive yourself, then make a plan you’ll keep

• 62:00 – Why traditional planners fail neurodivergent brains

If this episode helped, share it with a parent, educator, or friend who needs a little proof they’re not alone. Subscribe for more accessible conversations on ADHD and neurodiversity.

Dani's links

• adhdd.com

• Anti-Planner.com

• @DaniDonovan - Instagram

#ADHD #Neurodiversity #ExecutiveFunction #ParentingADHD #MentalHealth

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Patience, Progress, and Real-World Teaching with Joseph Galloway

A 16-year-old lesson in patience reshaped how I see ability, progress, and what real teaching asks of us.

In this episode, I sit down with martial arts instructor and community advocate Joseph Galloway to talk about how one early teaching moment with a student with Down syndrome reframed success for him—and for me. We get real about labels, expectations, and why small wins matter more than most systems admit. Joseph shares how he holds the same standards for everyone while adapting with patience, and why confidence—not combat—is at the heart of martial arts.

You’ll hear how he reads different learning styles without stereotyping, why celebrating tiny steps can change a whole day, and how his nonprofit vision supports families who can’t afford classes. We also push on a hard question: What could schools look like if progress, not perfection, led the way?

By the end, you’ll see growth through a more generous lens—and you may rethink what “ability” really means. Which two class rules does Joseph use to build respect and effort? What shifted when he left teaching—and what brought him back? And how does he measure progress when it isn’t obvious?

About the Guest

Joseph Galloway is a lifelong martial arts instructor and advocate focused on discipline, confidence, and accessible training for all learners. He’s building the Iron Spirit Fellowship Foundation to fund scholarships so kids and adults can train regardless of income.

Key Timestamps

• 0:21 – Who Joseph is beyond titles

• 1:36 – The first teaching moment that changed everything

• 5:50 – Martial arts: confidence and growth vs. violence

• 6:49 – “Always earned, never bought” and why standards matter

• 13:08 – Teaching without labels—and keeping expectations high

• 19:47 – The power of small wins

• li>24:54 – Seeing progress through connection and values

• 32:04 – Service, community, and why “Santa” is real

• 35:13 – Why a nonprofit opens doors for families

• 41:26 – Where to find Joseph and Iron Spirit Fellowship Foundation

Call to action: If this conversation helped you see progress differently, share it with a parent, educator, or caregiver who needs support right now. Subscribe for more accessible conversations on Autism, ADHD, and beyond. Connect with Joseph and the Iron Spirit Fellowship Foundation on Facebook and Instagram, and look for their GoFundMe to support scholarships.

#Neurodiversity #Autism #ADHD #Inclusion #MartialArts

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Autistic Kids and Sleep: What Parents Often Miss (and What Actually Helps)

Exhausted at 2 a.m.? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Ann Riley Smith to talk real-world fixes for autistic sleep struggles.

Kelly’s a neurodivergent former teacher, a mom of four neurodivergent kids, and an autism-and-anxiety sleep specialist. We get honest about what “my child doesn’t sleep” really means, why bedtime isn’t the true starting point, and how anxiety, sensory needs, and the nervous system all tangle together at night.

About the Guest

Kelly Ann Riley Smith is an autism and anxiety sleep specialist supporting parents of autistic children. She’s a former teacher and neurodivergent mom of four, including a son with high support needs. Find Kelly on Instagram, Facebook, her parent group Sleep Success for Autistic Children, or email [email protected].

Key Timestamps

• 0:02 – Meet Kelly Ann Riley Smith and why sleep matters so much

• 2:11 – Lived experience vs. professional training

• 8:43 – What “my autistic child doesn’t sleep” looks like in real life

• 10:10 – Falling asleep, staying asleep… or both?

• 12:06 – The bedtime routine myth many parents follow

• 13:15 – The most misunderstood part: sleep starts long before bedtime

• 14:37 – Autism and anxiety: how closely they connect at night

• 20:16 – What bedtime anxiety can look like

• 21:23 – The nervous system on high alert and why sleep won’t come

• 24:34 – Light, sound, temperature: what matters more than you think

• 33:21 – Room color and visual “noise” that keep brains alert

• 35:08 – Weighted blankets: helpful or harmful?

• 37:31 – White noise vs. silence (and real-life sleep setups)

• 39:04 – Is perfect sleep hygiene realistic for neurodivergent families?

• 40:12 – The toll on parents: from burnout to PTSD-like symptoms

• 41:27 – If you feel like you’re failing, hear this

• 51:35 – A message for the 2 a.m. listener

• 52:29 – Where to find Kelly and get support

If this helped, share it with a parent, educator, or caregiver who needs support. Subscribe for more neurodiversity conversations, practical strategies, and community resources.

#Neurodiversity #AutismParenting #SleepSupport #Anxiety #SensoryProcessing

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Writing as a Lifeline: AuDHD, Burnout, and Building Soul Scribe with Kristy Lee Rackham

What if the story you’re scared to share is the one that helps someone heal?

In this candid conversation, I sit down with Kristy Lee Rackham AuDHD mom, former nurse, boutique publisher, and creator of the Wisdom Keepers series. You’ll hear how she went from full burnout to building Soul Scribe Publishing, why writing became a practical path to wellness, and the quiet moment that changed everything. We get into fear of visibility, why highly sensitive people hesitate to be seen, and how multi-author books create ripple effects inside hospitals, families, and communities.

I reveal the simple shift Kristy uses to help writers move past imposter syndrome, you’ll discover how she blends science and spirituality without losing the plot, and we touch on her Mee Map an accessible way to come back to who you’ve always been. Want to know the unexpected first win most new authors feel? You’ll have to listen.

About the Guest

Kristy Lee Rackham is an AuDHD publisher, holistic counselor, and former nurse who founded http://www.soulscribegroup.com/. She mentors highly sensitive and neurodivergent writers and curates the multi-author Wisdom Keepers series.

Key Timestamps

• 0:20 – Kristy’s AuDHD story and raising autistic teens

• 4:04 – The moment writing shifted from hobby to healing

• 12:52 – Blending science, spirituality, and storytelling

• 16:49 – Burnout, stillness, and a clarinet at night

• 27:37 – Visibility, worth, and the fear beneath publishing

• 40:06 – A nonverbal writer steps into leadership

• 45:22 – The Mee Map explained in plain language

• 47:58 – Energy awareness you can use today

Explore Kristy’s work at solscribegroup.com.

or to learn more about you can go to her link tree: www.linktr.ee/kristyleerackham

Subscribe for more practical conversations on autism, ADHD, and real-world support. Share this with someone who’s sitting on a story. #Neurodiversity #AuDHD #WritingForHealing #ParentingAutism

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Dani Donovan is an ADHD advocate, educator, and creator of The Anti-Planner, a revolutionary tool designed to help neurodivergent minds work with their brains instead of against them. Through her art, resources, and lived experience, Dani helps adults better understand executive dysfunction, self-compassion, and how to build systems that actually fit the way they’re wired.

Growing up, Dani always felt out of place—curious, quick to finish tasks, and constantly getting in trouble for asking too many questions or working ahead of the lesson. Instead of praise, she got more work or was told to sit down and be quiet, which left her feeling isolated and misunderstood. It wasn’t until college, when life became overwhelming and adult responsibilities piled up, that she finally heard the word “ADHD” attached to her struggles. Suddenly, the confusing mess of missed laundry, forgotten deadlines, and emotional meltdowns had a name, and that changed everything. Dani realized she wasn’t lazy or broken—she just hadn’t been given the right tools or language to understand herself. Finding that label, and later discovering others like “anticipatory anxiety” and “rejection sensitivity,” felt like a lifeline. It meant she could finally talk about her challenges without shame and start searching for real solutions, not just blame.,Dani’s journey with ADHD started long before she even knew what it was. As a kid, she was always outpacing her classmates, asking questions, and getting in trouble for not fitting the mold. Teachers didn’t know what to do with her, and instead of support, she got more work or was told to stop disrupting. This left Dani feeling like she was always the problem, never quite understanding why everyday things felt so hard. It wasn’t until college, when life threw her into the deep end of “adulting,” that she finally got her ADHD diagnosis. That moment was a revelation—suddenly, all the things that made her feel different started to make sense. For the first time, she could let go of some of the self-blame and see her challenges as part of a bigger picture, not a personal failing. Discovering the right words and connecting with others who shared her experiences helped her turn confusion into clarity and isolation into community.

• Visit Dani Donovan's website with her ADHD comics at adhdd.com (ADHD with DD, her initials, after it).

• Visit AntiPlanner.com to see the Anti Planner book and access digital PDF bundles that are currently on sale.

• Follow Dani Donovan on social media platforms at @DaniDonovan (D A N I D O N O V A N) for more content.

• Watch Jessica McCabe’s YouTube channel, especially her video about why showering is hard, for ADHD-related insights.

• Try the Kanban board method using Post-it notes on your computer monitor as described by Dani Donovan for task management.

Contact Me:

• https://www.facebook.com/TheNeurodivergentConnection

• https://aspergersstudio.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/reidmiles/

• https://www.youtube.com/@AspergersStudio

• https://www.twitter.com/AspergersStudio

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When Schools Don’t Fit: How to Advocate for Neurodivergent Kids with Janet Krebs

I sit down with Janet Krebs to talk about raising neurodivergent kids in unkind education systems—and what actually helps.

In this episode I ask the tough questions parents avoid: why schools still treat difference like a problem, how to push back when meetings feel hostile, and what parenting leadership actually looks like when the stakes are your child’s future. Janet shares real stories from decades in classrooms and with families, and I reveal the mindset shifts and practical frameworks that help parents move from fear to focused action.

You’ll discover why consistency often fails, when “resets” actually make things worse, and one powerful way to reframe labels so children get support without being boxed in. We tease specific strategies and systems I use with clients so you can advocate more confidently—but I save the step-by-step for the episode. Who should be in the room? When is accountability necessary? How do you keep your cool so solutions can happen? Listen to find out.

About the Guest

Janet Krebs – Educator, consultant, and strategic partner to families. With over 30 years in classrooms and working alongside parents of neurodivergent kids, Janet focuses on practical advocacy, vision-driven planning, and helping families build confidence to raise capable adults.

Key Timestamps

• 0:21 - Janet’s background: why she centers teaching and learning

• 1:10 - How education can be unkind to kids who don’t fit the mold

• 6:49 - Visual learning and why some kids need different ways to process

• 15:52 - When school discipline misses the mark: the “reset” example

• 31:45 - How to show up and advocate in IEP and school meetings

• 48:46 - Leadership for parents: L.E.A.D. framework

• 62:07 - How parents find support and stay grounded during slow progress

• 65:46 - Where to find Janet online: janetkrebs.com

Want more episodes like this? Subscribe and share with a parent, teacher, or caregiver who needs a better way into these rooms. Visit janetkrebs.com to connect with Janet.

#Neurodiversity #Parenting #InclusiveEducation #ADHD

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