S3 E9: Raising a Non-Verbal Child and Rethinking Everything

S3 E10: Am I Just Lazy? And Nine Other Questions You're Too Scared To Ask

Welcome back to Autism, ADHD and Us Three. In this community Q&A episode, Jenny answers 10 questions sent in by listeners and Instagram followers about late-diagnosed autism, ADHD and AuDHD identity. This is the final episode of Season 3 as the podcast will be taking its summer break in July and August. This episode explores the huge emotional reckoning that can come after diagnosis or self-discovery, including identity confusion, masking, self-diagnosis, exhaustion, executive dysfunction, relationships, friendships and redefining success on your own terms. Jenny talks about why self-diagnosis is valid, why you are not lazy, why masking can be so hard to untangle and how late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults can begin building lives that actually respect their nervous systems, energy and needs. If you have ever wondered who you are now, whether you have made it all up, why you are so tired or what success even looks like anymore, this episode is for you. * Who am I now and who have I been? * Why diagnosis can make your whole life reorganise itself * Why self-diagnosis and self-discovery are valid * Why exhaustion is not laziness * The invisible energy cost of masking, sensory processing and executive function * How to challenge the lazy script in your head * What masking actually is and how to start spotting it * Why relationships can shift after diagnosis * How to get things done with poor executive function * Body doubling, timers, rituals and externalising your memory * How to build a life that respects your AuDHD needs * Redefining success after late diagnosis ------------------------------------------ Useful linksJoin the Reclaim Yourself membership waitlist or check whether doors are open: https://www.audhdistically.me/join-the-membership [https://www.audhdistically.me/join-the-membership] Work with Jenny, including 1:1 coaching and text coaching options: https://www.audhdistically.me/work-with-me [https://www.audhdistically.me/work-with-me] Sign up for Jenny’s weekly Positivity Pause newsletter: https://www.audhdistically.me/get-my-newsletter [https://www.audhdistically.me/get-my-newsletter] Buy Jenny’s book: https://amzn.to/4o58FQf Visit Audhdistically Me: https://www.audhdistically.me [https://www.audhdistically.me] Follow Jenny on Instagram: Keywords Late diagnosed autism, late diagnosed ADHD, AuDHD, autistic ADHD adults, neurodivergent women, self-diagnosis, autistic self-discovery, ADHD self-discovery, masking, unmasking, executive dysfunction, autistic burnout, ADHD burnout, neurodivergent exhaustion, self-acceptance, neurodivergent identity, adult autism diagnosis, adult ADHD diagnosis, AuDHD relationships, neurodivergent friendships, sensory overload, late diagnosed AuDHD women, autistic women, ADHD women, Reclaim Yourself membership, Audhdistically Me, Autism ADHD and Us Three.

S3 E9: Raising a Non-Verbal Child and Rethinking Everything

If you are parenting a disabled or neurodivergent child and sometimes feel like the world was not built with your family in mind, this episode will land. In this episode of Autism, ADHD and Us Three, Jenny sits down with Dana Garrett to talk about parenting, advocacy, communication, community, and the very real emotional load of caring for a child with additional needs. Dana shares her experience as the mother of a mostly non-verbal daughter, and opens up about everything from diagnosis and communication differences to sibling dynamics, self-care, and the power of creating stories that help children feel seen. Together, they explore how behaviour is often communication, why caregivers need support too, and how inclusive books and communities can make life feel less isolating for families navigating disability and neurodivergence. Inside this episode: * Communication beyond words, including AAC, sign language, gestures, and behaviour * Why behaviour is often communication, not defiance * The reality of parenting a non-verbal child * Supporting siblings of neurodivergent and disabled children * Why caregiver self-care is essential, not selfish * The importance of community, shared understanding, and safe spaces * How inclusive children’s books can build empathy, acceptance, and confidence This is a warm, honest conversation about advocacy, resilience, and the need for families like ours to feel held, understood, and less alone. ---------------------------------------- 🎧 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dana Garrett 01:40 Early Development and Diagnosis of Elena 05:26 Communication Beyond Words 09:42 Understanding Behavior as Communication 12:12 Advocacy and Navigating Social Situations 13:34 The Journey of Self-Publishing Children's Books 17:44 Supporting Siblings of Neurodivergent Children 20:46 Creating Inclusive Stories 24:03 The Importance of Community 27:29 Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers 33:21 Upcoming Retreats and Workshops for Caregivers ---------------------------------------- 💛 Connect with Dana Garrett Author website: https://danagarrett.com [https://danagarrett.com] Rare Blooms Foundation: https://rarebloomsfoundation.org [https://rarebloomsfoundation.org] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danagarrett/ [https://www.instagram.com/danagarrett/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danagarrett/ [https://www.facebook.com/danagarrett/] ---------------------------------------- 💫 Resources Mentioned Elena and Wyatt's Adventures on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Elena+and+Wyatt%27s+Adventures [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Elena+and+Wyatt%27s+Adventures] Self-love journals for caregivers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=self-love+journals+for+caregivers [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=self-love+journals+for+caregivers] Breathe: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VJX4V4X [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VJX4V4X] Coherent Breathing Technique: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6362514/ [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6362514/] ---------------------------------------- 💛 Work With Me & Next Steps New here? Start here: https://welcome.audhdistically.me/start-here [https://welcome.audhdistically.me/start-here] Sign up for The Positivity Pause newsletter: https://www.audhdistically.me [https://www.audhdistically.me] Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audhdistically.me [https://www.instagram.com/audhdistically.me]

S3 E8: Autism, Advocacy and being Unapologetically Visible with Yenn Purkis

Hello lovely humans, and welcome back to another episode of Autism, ADHD and Us Three. If you’re new here, I’m so glad you’ve found us. And if you’re a regular listener, thank you for being part of this space 💜 If you enjoy the podcast, it would mean the world if you could leave a quick review. It helps more people find these conversations and feel a little less alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Yenn Purkis, an autistic and ADHD advocate, author of 18 books, TEDx speaker and PhD candidate. We talk about how Yenn was unexpectedly pulled into advocacy, and the moment that shifted everything for them. From there, we explore the realities of being visible, the impact of deficit-based narratives around autism, and why so many common assumptions about autistic people are still so harmful. We also dive into gender identity, inclusion, and what it really means to stand up and be seen in a world that doesn’t always feel safe to do so. This conversation is honest, thoughtful and at times challenging, but also incredibly grounding for anyone navigating identity, late diagnosis, advocacy or burnout. * How Yenn found themselves in advocacy and what changed their direction * The impact of deficit-based messaging on autistic people * Why visibility and representation matter so much * The truth about “functioning labels” and why they’re often misunderstood * Navigating identity, including gender diversity and autism * Dealing with criticism, pushback and online spaces * Burnout, work and creating a life that actually fits * Autism diagnosis should mean liberation * Visibility is vital for change * Functioning labels are not diagnoses 00:00 Introduction to advocacy and autistic identity 01:34 The journey into advocacy 04:54 Writing as a tool for change 10:37 The evolution of public speaking 15:26 Changing perspectives on neurodiversity 19:39 Balancing advocacy and academia 20:36 Embracing passion and overcoming adversity 24:50 Redefining work and income streams 28:05 Identity and advocacy in the non-binary and asexual community 32:11 Navigating pushback and promoting visibility 34:52 Debunking myths about autism 41:51 Future aspirations and life philosophy -------------------------------- You can find Yenn and their work here: Website https://www.yennpurkis.com Books on Amazon*https://amzn.to/4dg03Eg [https://amzn.to/4dg03Eg] If something in this episode resonated with you, I’d love you to share it with someone who might need to hear it too. And if you want more conversations like this, you can follow along wherever you listen to your podcasts. *Affiliate links are used in these show notes.

S3 E7: The Post Diagnosis Crash No One Warns You About

If you thought finally getting your autism or ADHD diagnosis would feel like pure relief… and instead you feel exhausted, foggy, emotional or completely flattened… this one’s for you. In this solo episode of Autism, ADHD and Us Three, Jenny breaks down something nobody really warns you about. The post-diagnosis crash. She explains why so many late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults experience burnout after finally getting answers, and why this isn’t weakness, regression or you not coping well enough. It is physiology. Jenny explores what happens inside the nervous system after decades of masking, hypervigilance and pushing through environments that were never built for your brain. She talks about the relief that comes with diagnosis, and why that relief can actually trigger shutdown, exhaustion and emotional fallout. Inside this episode: * Why diagnosis can act like a circuit breaker for your nervous system * How ADHD hyperfocus and autistic deep processing can accelerate burnout * The physical signs of nervous system recalibration * Why you cannot “optimise” your way out of this phase * Practical ways to stabilise when everything feels too much * What real recovery actually looks like This episode is a permission slip to slow down. To stop turning yourself into a project. To let your body land after years of survival mode. If you are in that shaky “who am I now?” space… you are not alone. ---------------------------------------- 🎧 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 01:05 Relief and the unexpected crash 01:34 Why burnout happens after diagnosis 02:30 What is happening inside the body and brain 03:34 Masking, hypervigilance and chronic stress 05:48 The nervous system under long-term pressure 07:42 Diagnosis as a circuit breaker 08:36 Physical signs of recalibration 09:29 Identity shifts and psychological changes 10:54 Grief after diagnosis 12:13 The post-diagnosis crash explained 12:53 ADHD hyperfocus and autistic deep processing 13:44 Medication and increased sensory awareness 15:09 Nervous system regulation and perceived regression 17:02 Acceptance and self-compassion 20:42 What to actually do during burnout 21:34 Myths about strength and recovery 22:55 Practical regulation and self-care 23:50 Small steps that help 24:46 Community and support 28:00 Final encouragement ---------------------------------------- 💛 Work With Me & Next Steps Join my free 5 day live experience Unlearning the Bullshit https://welcome.audhdistically.me/unlearning-bs-registration [https://welcome.audhdistically.me/unlearning-bs-registration] New here? Start here: https://welcome.audhdistically.me/start-here [https://welcome.audhdistically.me/start-here] Sign up for The Positivity Pause newsletter: https://www.audhdistically.me [https://www.audhdistically.me] Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audhdistically.me [https://www.instagram.com/audhdistically.me]

S3 E6: Understanding Autism and ADHD Assessments for Children and Families

In this episode, Jenny Lucas speaks with Leanne Tran, a registered psychologist specializing in assessments for autism, ADHD, and specific learning disorders. They discuss the importance of early diagnosis and support for neurodiverse children, the impact of parental neurodiversity, and the assessment process. Leanne shares insights on navigating the challenges of accessing support in rural areas and the significance of individualized support in schools. The conversation emphasizes the need for understanding self-identity in neurodiverse children and innovative approaches to parental support.Contact Leanne Tran: https://learn.leannetran.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/leannetranpsychology/ Contact Jenny Lucashttps://welcome.audhdistically.me/start-here [https://welcome.audhdistically.me/start-here] https://www.facebook.com/Audhdistically.me [https://www.facebook.com/Audhdistically.me] https://www.instagram.com/audhdistically.me/ [https://www.instagram.com/audhdistically.me/] https://www.tiktok.com/@audhdistically.me [https://www.tiktok.com/@audhdistically.me] Keywords neurodiversity, autism, ADHD, assessments, parental support, self-identity, rural access, school support, psychological assessments, early diagnosis Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Neurodiversity and Early Support 02:48 Understanding Parental Neurodiversity 05:16 The Importance of Self-Identity in Assessments 08:00 Navigating the Assessment Process 10:35 Challenges in Accessing Assessments 13:15 Working with Schools for Support 16:02 The Role of Online Resources 18:45 Innovative Support Strategies for Parents 21:22 Conclusion and Resources for Families