In this raw and heartfelt episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Simon Scott and Jordan James open up about their own school experiences and how they continue to shape their adult lives as autistic and ADHD men.

They reflect on the impact of early school environments, where misunderstanding and exclusion were daily realities, and how those experiences left lasting marks on self-worth, relationships, and identity. Moving between humour and heartbreak, Simon and Jordan explore the long-term effects of being misunderstood in classrooms designed for neurotypical minds.

Together, they discuss:

• How school systems, teachers, and peers often failed to recognise their needs
• The emotional and psychological impact of masking and self-blame
• The sensory and social overwhelm of neurodivergent childhoods
• How early school experiences influence adult confidence, connection, and trust
• What true understanding and support for neurodivergent students should look like

From detentions and misunderstandings to the quiet grief of being “the weird kid,” this conversation captures the lifelong effects of growing up neurodivergent in a system that was never built for you.

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