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

That Sounds Fun Network

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. I’m Greer — a mum of two boys (and two dogs!) raising a child with special educational needs (SEN) alongside my husband. Our daily life looks different from the norm, but it’s full of love, advocacy, and growth. I started this podcast to create a space for parents of neurodivergent kids, educators, and allies to learn, connect, and build understanding together. You’ll hear parenting tips, advocacy guidance, sensory strategies, and personal reflections that shine a light on both the joys and challenges of neurodivergent parenting. Through heartfelt solo episodes and guest interviews, we’ll talk about EHCP or IEP processes, school support, emotional regulation, and the big feelings that come with raising ND kids. Whether you’re here as a parent of an autistic or ADHD child, a late-diagnosed adult, a teacher seeking insight, or someone wanting to understand the neurodivergent world, this podcast is your space to grow, connect, and know you’re not alone. Welcome to The Unfinished Idea — a podcast all about parenting, autism, ADHD, and life in a neurodivergent family. Here, we open up honest conversations about neurodiversity, raising neurodivergent children, and navigating the everyday realities of SEN parenting.

  1. When Grandparents Shift Their Expectations: Supporting Your Neurodivergent Grandchild

    2d ago

    When Grandparents Shift Their Expectations: Supporting Your Neurodivergent Grandchild

    JOIN CHRISTMAS IN JULY- a place to connect, receive free gifts, and have a little fun! If you've ever wished the people around you just got it — this episode is for you. Greer sits down with Jennifer Kaufman, school principal, author, and grandmother to a grandson with autism, to talk about what it actually looks like when extended family shows up well — and what gets in the way. Jennifer brings a rare perspective. She's spent her career in autism education, but when her own grandchild was diagnosed, she had to learn something different: how to set aside the expert hat and just be grandma. That shift wasn't automatic. It was intentional. Together, Greer and Jennifer get honest about the expectation piece (the holiday table you imagined vs. the one that's actually yours), the advice trap that even well-meaning grandparents fall into, and what it really means to be a safe space — not just a safe person. Plus: the small gestures that land hardest, why an offer feels so different from a request when you're already stretched thin, and a reminder worth holding onto — neurodiverse people aren't giving us a hard time. They're having a hard time. 📖 Jennifer's book is linked below.  Also mentioned: The Blue Envelope Program — a simple tool to help keep neurodivergent people safer during police encounters. Search "Blue Envelope Program" to find it in your area. The Wonder Project: Subscriber support makes more great content like I Gotta Ask with Annie F. Downs possible. The Wonder Project subscription on Prime Video is available in the U.S. for $8.99/month or $89.99/year after a 7-day free trial.Visit IGottaAsk.com to learn more! GUEST LINKS: Check out Jennifer's book GET THE LINKS ⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea Website Join the Unfinished Community Exhausted to Empowered Course Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
  2. ADHD Teens Need Structure, Not Pressure: Helping Them Start (Without Shame)

    Jun 18

    ADHD Teens Need Structure, Not Pressure: Helping Them Start (Without Shame)

    What actually changes when a child with ADHD becomes a teenager? In this episode, Carla names something so many families are living: as kids grow, the support systems drop (parents reminding, teachers prompting, schedules structuring)… but the expectations rise (more deadlines, longer projects, less supervision). And for ADHD brains—where the planning and regulation center is still developing—this creates a painful gap between what’s expected and what’s neurologically ready. Carla reframes what parents often interpret as “lack of motivation” as something else entirely: a regulation + structure need. She explains why teens might say, “I know what to do, but I just can’t start,” and how that isn’t defiance—it’s overwhelm and executive overload. You’ll also hear how constant reminders (even well-intentioned ones) can turn a teen’s name into correction… and how that can quietly erode self-esteem over time. Carla offers small, practical shifts that help teens feel less attacked and more supported—like pausing before speaking, lowering your voice, using “we” language, and asking “What’s the first step?” instead of “Why haven’t you started?” This is a deeply grounding conversation if you’re parenting an ADHD teen and you’re tired of the power struggles. It’s not about letting everything slide—it’s about building the kind of structure that helps your teen’s brain quiet down, so they can access their skills… and keep their confidence intact. The Wonder Project: Subscriber support makes more great content like I Gotta Ask with Annie F. Downs possible. The Wonder Project subscription on Prime Video is available in the U.S. for $8.99/month or $89.99/year after a 7-day free trial.Visit IGottaAsk.com to learn more! GET THE LINKS⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea WebsiteJoin the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min
  3. Am I Married to Someone with PDA? What I've Learned, What's Helped, and What's Still Hard

    Jun 11

    Am I Married to Someone with PDA? What I've Learned, What's Helped, and What's Still Hard

    BIRTHDAY DISCOUNT: 30% off Exhausted to Empowered Course use code BIRTHDAY at checkout! Have you ever asked your partner to pass you something and gotten a "why?" in return — and thought, wait, what just happened? If that moment felt strangely familiar, this episode might be for you. Greer is getting honest about something she doesn't see talked about enough: what it's like to be married to someone who may have PDA (pathological demand avoidance). Not from a place of frustration or blame — but from a place of real, lived experience, ongoing learning, and genuine love for her husband and their marriage. She walks through what PDA actually is, why it can look like defiance even when it isn't, and the two things that have made the biggest difference in her own relationship — neither of which she came to perfectly, or all at once. What you'll hear in this episode: Setting expectations before the moment matters — way before. Not at the airport. Not when you're already frustrated. Greer shares how pre-loading expectations (sometimes weeks in advance) has quietly lowered the demand pressure in her home and made daily life feel a little more like a team effort. Bringing your partner into the solution — not as a strategy to "trick" them, but as a genuine invitation to be part of the answer. It doesn't always look the way you'd do it. And Greer's honest about the fact that she's still figuring this out (the missing lightbulb is proof). She also talks about the importance of low-demand evenings, why adults with PDA are often holding so much together during the day, and why asking your partner what actually helps them is always worth trying. This episode won't hand you a perfect system. But it will remind you that you're not alone in this — and that both of you are learning, even when it's hard. The Wonder Project: Subscriber support makes more great content like I Gotta Ask with Annie F. Downs possible. The Wonder Project subscription on Prime Video is available in the U.S. for $8.99/month or $89.99/year after a 7-day free trial.Visit IGottaAsk.com to learn more! GET THE LINKS ⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea Website Join the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min
  4. What Dads Are Really Thinking When Your Child Gets Diagnosed (And How to Get on the Same Team)

    Jun 4

    What Dads Are Really Thinking When Your Child Gets Diagnosed (And How to Get on the Same Team)

    If you've ever felt like you're paddling your kayak alone while your partner watches from the shore — this episode is for you. Harry Psaros is an autism advocate, author, and dad to Gus, who is graduating from Kent State University this week. Harry joins us to talk about something we don't hear enough of: what it actually looks like inside a dad's head when their child is diagnosed with autism — and why so many of them go quiet. Harry gets real about his own journey. He wasn't the hero in the early days. His wife Michelle was. She saw the signs, pushed through dismissive pediatricians, and kept advocating while Harry wrestled with his ego and his fear. It wasn't until they sat in that car, driving home from Cleveland, that something shifted — and Harry made a choice to be all in. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why dads often go silent after a diagnosis (and what's actually happening underneath that silence), the two types of dads Harry sees in his counseling work — and how to reach both of them, what it looks like to build your village when you're new to all of this, how to protect your relationship when the stress of parenting a neurodivergent child starts pulling you apart, and why Harry believes his son Gus — a happy hippie who looks for the good in everyone — is not a scarlet letter. He's a blessing. This episode is for the moms carrying the mental load. It's also for the dads who want to do better but don't know where to start. And it's for anyone who needs a reminder: your child was born out of love, and that love is still your compass. Harry's message is warm, direct, and full of hard-won wisdom from two decades on this road. You're going to want to share this one. The Wonder Project: Subscriber support makes more great content like I Gotta Ask with Annie F. Downs possible. The Wonder Project subscription on Prime Video is available in the U.S. for $8.99/month or $89.99/year after a 7-day free trial.Visit IGottaAsk.com to learn more! GUEST LINKS: Follow Harry Check out his book GET THE LINKS ⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea Website Join the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
  5. Neurodivergent Sleep Struggles (and Hope): Bedtime Routines, Restless Legs & Screen-Time Truths

    May 28

    Neurodivergent Sleep Struggles (and Hope): Bedtime Routines, Restless Legs & Screen-Time Truths

    If sleep feels like the hardest part of neurodivergent family life, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not failing. In this episode, Greer Jones talks with sleep specialist Melisa Moore about why neurodivergent kids (and adults!) often have more sleep challenges… and what can actually make things gentler. Melisa breaks down the “why” in a way that’s clear and grounding: biology and genetics can play a role, circadian rhythms can be different (like ADHD tending later and autism sometimes being inconsistent), and some neurodivergent profiles come with a higher likelihood of specific sleep disorders. Then there’s the big real-life layer: things like allergies, eczema, reflux, anxiety, and more—stuff that isn’t “a sleep disorder,” but absolutely messes with sleep. From there, you’ll get practical support that doesn’t demand perfection. Melisa shares her “5 S’s” of bedtime routines—short, sweet, sensory-soothing, streamlined, and steady—and offers permission to stop chasing the ideal. Even a bedtime routine once a week can help. You’ll also hear a refreshingly nuanced take on screens: the research isn’t as black-and-white as “all devices ruin sleep.” For some kids (and adults), a little screen time can quiet the brain enough to fall asleep faster—and you can still move toward “good, better, best” without turning bedtime into a battle. Finally, if your child wakes in the night and needs the exact same sound/light setup to settle again, you’ll understand why—and what to tweak so everyone gets more rest. In this episode, we talk about: Why neurodivergent sleep can be more complicated (circadian rhythm, biology, and more) Restless legs/restless sleep and why kids describe it in the most creative ways The “5 S’s” bedtime routine that supports nervous systems without rigid rules A realistic, research-led perspective on iPads/screens before bed Why sound machines and night lights help only if they stay consistent all night How to think about “how much sleep is enough” by watching daytime functioning The reminder every tired parent needs: there’s hope, and there’s always something else to try GUEST LINKS: Follow Melissa GET THE LINKS⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea WebsiteJoin the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
  6. Thriving in the Chaos: ADHD, Motherhood, and Running a Business Without Burning Out

    May 21

    Thriving in the Chaos: ADHD, Motherhood, and Running a Business Without Burning Out

    If your life feels like a beautiful, noisy jumble—kids, work, relationships, responsibilities, and about 47 open tabs in your brain—this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Greer Jones sits down with Jessica Lamb (mom, business owner, podcaster, and recently diagnosed ADHDer) to talk about what it’s actually like to hold all the roles at once—especially when you don’t naturally compartmentalise and everything feels layered on top of everything else. Jessica describes family life as “chaos,” but not in a hopeless way—more like: this is the water we swim in, and we’ve learned how to live here. They get honest about the season of early motherhood and how ADHD can show up hard when executive functioning takes a hit—right when you’re trying to learn how to be a parent. Jessica shares that she’s still figuring out what “self-care” even means for her, but one thing is clear: therapy is her anchor—a predictable space to decompress and untangle the mental knots. You’ll also hear the kind of practical, real-life support that doesn’t require a perfect routine: embracing the ebbs and flows of different seasons using small “reset pockets” of time (like 30 minutes after school drop-off) to create a calmer home base the surprising power of tiny cues—like Greer’s “earrings on = I can do things” mindset shift why reframing “chaos” as manageable chaos can change how you show up day-to-day Jessica also talks about redefining success as an ADHD entrepreneur—success as the right systems, the right number of clients, and work that supports the life you actually want (not just what looks impressive from the outside). And in a moment that will make so many ADHD brains feel seen, she shares how she’s learned to stop shaming her procrastination and instead build around it—setting herself up so deadline-time focus becomes a strength, not a moral failure. This episode is for the mom who looks “put together” on the outside but feels like a duck paddling furiously underneath. It’s a reminder that you’re not behind—you’re adapting. And a little more grace (from you and from others) goes a long way. GUEST LINKS: GET THE LINKS⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea WebsiteJoin the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
  7. When Did You Last Have Fun? Finding Little Pockets of Joy in an Overwhelming Life

    May 14

    When Did You Last Have Fun? Finding Little Pockets of Joy in an Overwhelming Life

    JOIN THE EVERYDAY NEURODIVERGENT PARENTING SUMMIT Have you ever noticed that fun is usually the first thing to go when life gets hard? When the budget is tight, when you're exhausted, when you're running on fumes — fun feels like a luxury you can't afford. But what if that's exactly backwards? In this episode, Greer sits down with Annie F. Downs — author, podcaster, and all-around fun enthusiast — for a conversation that feels like a warm exhale. Annie gently challenges the idea that fun has to be big, expensive, or perfectly timed. She makes the case that the moments we need fun the most are usually the ones where we think we can't have it. Together, Greer and Annie explore: Why we've been taught to think of fun as something we have to earn or save up for — and why that's getting in the way A simple question that can help you rediscover what actually fills you up (hint: think back to age eight) Small, low-cost ways to bring joy to an ordinary Tuesday — even when you're tired, stretched thin, or parenting through the hard stuff Why "scrolling" doesn't count as a hobby, and what to do instead How just 15 minutes a day of something you actually enjoy can start to bring you back to yourself This episode is for any mom who has quietly stopped doing the things that used to light her up — and who needs a gentle reminder that she still matters in the equation too. You don't need a vacation. You don't need three days off. You might just need a slushie, a craft store, and permission to play again. GUEST LINKS: Follow Annie Listen to That Sounds Fun Podcast GET THE LINKS ⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea Website Join the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  8. ADHD Moms: Why Everything Feels So Heavy (And What to Do First)

    May 7

    ADHD Moms: Why Everything Feels So Heavy (And What to Do First)

    Don't forget to grab your FREE ticket to the Everyday Neurodivergent Parenting Summit happening May 11-14! If you've ever felt like motherhood was supposed to be the thing that finally felt easy — and instead it somehow got harder — this episode is for you. Greer sits down with Amy Marie Hann, ADHD coach and mom of neurodivergent kids, for an honest, grounding conversation about what it actually feels like to parent with ADHD. Not the productivity-hack version. The real version — the shame, the overcommitment, the mental load that never seems to let up. Amy talks about why ADHD moms are so prone to over-extending themselves (hint: it's not a discipline problem — it's how your brain processes time and priority), and why the gap between the mom you imagined being and the mom you are right now can feel so painful. But this isn't a heavy episode. It's a hopeful one. Amy shares where to actually start when everything feels urgent and overwhelming — and it's not another complicated system. It's something much smaller, and much more doable. She also talks about why taking care of yourself isn't selfish — it's one of the most powerful things you can do for your neurodivergent kids. They also get into something that feels quietly important: safety. What it means to find environments where your family can actually exhale. And why, as the mom, you often have to be the one who goes first. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why ADHD can make motherhood feel like a character flaw, not a skill gap The hidden exhaustion of over-committing and time blindness Where to start when you're overwhelmed and the to-do list feels never-ending Why self-care for ADHD moms isn't a luxury — it's the foundation The power of modeling regulation, routine, and rest for your kids What it looks like to build a life that actually fits your brain and your family You are the right parent for your child. Even on the hard days. Especially on the hard days. GUEST LINKS: Follow Amy Marie Check out her resources GET THE LINKS ⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea Website Join the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min
See All (101)

Trailer

5
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

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. I’m Greer — a mum of two boys (and two dogs!) raising a child with special educational needs (SEN) alongside my husband. Our daily life looks different from the norm, but it’s full of love, advocacy, and growth. I started this podcast to create a space for parents of neurodivergent kids, educators, and allies to learn, connect, and build understanding together. You’ll hear parenting tips, advocacy guidance, sensory strategies, and personal reflections that shine a light on both the joys and challenges of neurodivergent parenting. Through heartfelt solo episodes and guest interviews, we’ll talk about EHCP or IEP processes, school support, emotional regulation, and the big feelings that come with raising ND kids. Whether you’re here as a parent of an autistic or ADHD child, a late-diagnosed adult, a teacher seeking insight, or someone wanting to understand the neurodivergent world, this podcast is your space to grow, connect, and know you’re not alone. Welcome to The Unfinished Idea — a podcast all about parenting, autism, ADHD, and life in a neurodivergent family. Here, we open up honest conversations about neurodiversity, raising neurodivergent children, and navigating the everyday realities of SEN parenting.

Information

More From That Sounds Fun Network

You Might Also Like