Different Is Normal

I Thought I Was Fine… Until I Wasn’t | Ep 12 - part 2

This is the part people don’t always see. Growing up… coping… doing “fine”. Until one day, you realise you weren’t. In this episode of Different Is Normal, Emily shares what it was like growing up without a diagnosis — and what happens when the expectations increase but the support disappears. ---------------------------------------- We talk about: • growing up alongside a sibling with significant needs • being the “capable one” — and what that actually means • why school can feel manageable… until it isn’t • what happens when support fades in high school and adulthood • the pressure to succeed when you’re expected to cope • becoming a parent and seeing things differently • why so many people aren’t diagnosed until later ---------------------------------------- This episode is about something many people recognise: You weren’t “fine”. You just learned how to survive. ---------------------------------------- This isn’t theory. It’s real life. Real reflection. And the moment things start to make sense. ---------------------------------------- ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Finding a Common Language 00:41 Growing Up Without a Diagnosis 03:00 Living Alongside Complex Needs 06:04 When Support Falls Away 09:32 Becoming a Parent 13:27 Understanding the Brain Differently 16:19 Why This Podcast Exists 18:34 The Power of Community 20:54 Leaving the World Better ---------------------------------------- 🔗 MORE FROM US Watch more episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@differentisnormal [https://www.youtube.com/@differentisnormal] ---------------------------------------- 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Did you ever feel like you were coping… but something still didn’t fit? ---------------------------------------- #neurodiversity #adhd #autism #parenting #differentisnormal

This Changed Everything for Our Family (And We Didn’t Expect It) | Ep 11 - part 1

This episode is different. We’re not breaking down behaviour. We’re not talking about strategies. We’re answering a question we’ve been asked a lot: Why does this matter so much to us? In this episode of Different Is Normal, we share the story behind the podcast. From a life-changing accident… to an autism diagnosis… to completely rethinking what matters. This is where everything started. ---------------------------------------- We talk about: • what happened to Dave before his son was born • the moment everything changed • the guilt, confusion, and questions that followed • what an autism diagnosis actually means for a family • how perspective shifts everything • why understanding matters more than labels ---------------------------------------- This isn’t about theory. It’s about real life. Real experiences. And the moments that change how you see everything. ---------------------------------------- ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The Birth of a Podcast: Our Journey Begins 00:56 Personal Stories: The Impact of Neurodiversity 05:35 Navigating Autism: A Parent’s Perspective 08:13 Life Changes: From Accident to Awakening 17:45 Giving Back: Becoming an Aid in Education 18:06 Perspective Shift: Understanding Neurodiversity 26:52 Living with an Acquired Brain Injury 30:12 Defining Moments: Friends, Family, and Support ---------------------------------------- 🔗 MORE FROM US Watch more episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@differentisnormal [https://www.youtube.com/@differentisnormal] ---------------------------------------- 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION What changed how you see neurodiversity? ---------------------------------------- #️⃣ #neurodiversity #autism #parenting #adhd #differentisnormal

Travelling with Neurodivergent Kids Is Hard — Here’s What Actually Helps | Ep 10

Travelling with neurodivergent kids can feel overwhelming. Airports. Queues. Noise. Delays. And the pressure of trying to keep everything calm while everything keeps moving. It is hard. But there are things that actually help. In this episode of Different Is Normal, we break down what is really happening during travel and what makes the biggest difference in real situations. No theory. No vague advice. Just practical strategies that work in planes, airports, and everyday travel. We cover: • the sunflower lanyard and how it can reduce stress in public spaces • why preparation matters more than you think • how to reduce overwhelm before it starts • what to bring so things do not fall apart mid trip • how to advocate without feeling like you are causing problems • why flexibility matters more than the perfect plan This is not about perfect travel. It is about making travel possible. ---------------------------------------- ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Travelling with Neurodivergent Kids 00:32 The Sunflower Lanyard Explained 02:59 Why Preparation Changes Everything 06:06 Making Flights Easier 08:47 Managing Sensory Load 11:28 Why Flexible Plans Work Better 14:46 Advocating for Your Child 17:35 What to Pack 20:13 Safety and Backup Plans 23:16 Final Tips That Actually Help ---------------------------------------- 🔗 LINKS Watch more episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@differentisnormal [https://www.youtube.com/@differentisnormal] ---------------------------------------- What is the hardest part of travelling for you or your child? ---------------------------------------- #neurodiversity #autism #adhd #parenting #traveltips

Why Are They Laughing? | The Hidden Rules No One Teaches | Ep 9

You walk into a room. People are laughing. And you don’t know why. No one explains the rules. But everyone notices when you miss them. In this episode, we break down what “reading the room” actually means, why it’s so hard for neurodivergent people, and what we can do instead. We talk about: • Hidden social rules no one teaches • Why humour and timing are hard to read • What it actually feels like in those moments • How small misunderstandings build up • Why we need to make expectations clearer This is not about changing people. It’s about changing how we communicate. ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Understanding Unwritten Social Rules 02:47 Navigating Humor and Social Interactions 05:57 The Complexity of Reading the Room 08:49 The Challenge of Communication 11:35 The Role of Explicit Communication 14:44 Finding Balance in Conversations 17:51 The Importance of Kindness in Communication 20:30 Bridging the Gap Between Neurodiverse and Neurotypical 23:36 Preparing for Independence and Safety 28:39 Navigating School Challenges for Neurodiverse Children 31:07 The Complexity of Reading Social Cues 34:19 The Impact of Diagnosis on Social Interactions 38:34 Understanding Social Situations and Communication 42:29 Teaching Children About Social Dynamics 46:47 Inclusion and Acceptance in Social Settings 53:30 Making Social Cues Visible for Everyone ⸻ Watch more episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@DiffIsNormal [https://www.youtube.com/@DiffIsNormal]

Why the World Isn’t Built for Neurodiversity | Ep 8

In this episode of Different Is Normal, Dave and Emily explore a question that sits at the centre of many neurodivergent experiences. Why do we spend so much time teaching neurodivergent people how to navigate the world, but spend so little time teaching the world how to understand them? From classrooms to supermarkets, public spaces to government policy, many everyday environments are built around neurotypical experiences. Sound, lighting, routines, communication styles, and expectations can make ordinary places overwhelming for neurodivergent people. Dave and Emily talk about the gap between these two worlds and why understanding neurodiversity should not only sit with neurodivergent people and their families. They discuss education systems, the training of education support staff, sensory environments in public spaces, and how small changes in design and awareness can benefit everyone. They also reflect on their own experiences as parents and education support workers, and why creating environments that consider neurodiversity often improves life for all people, not just those with a diagnosis. If we want truly inclusive communities, we may need to stop expecting neurodivergent people to constantly adapt and start learning how to meet them where they are. CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding Neurodiversity in Society 05:54 Education and Training Gaps 11:31 Creating Inclusive Environments 14:30 Bridging the Gap Between Worlds WATCH THE FULL DIFFERENT IS NORMAL SERIES https://www.youtube.com/@differentisnormal [https://www.youtube.com/@differentisnormal] Episode 1 – Navigating Diagnosis Day https://youtu.be/BN3uU0H44Zs [https://youtu.be/BN3uU0H44Zs] Episode 2 – Normal Isn’t Real https://youtu.be/NUAMr90xumY [https://youtu.be/NUAMr90xumY] Episode 3 – When Everyday Things Are Too Much https://youtu.be/hKjAP-lZJ_4 [https://youtu.be/hKjAP-lZJ_4] Episode 4 – Why Stimming Helps Learning https://youtu.be/MIyn0QlpZ_E [https://youtu.be/MIyn0QlpZ_E] Episode 5 – Every Behaviour Is a Message https://youtu.be/Ip2Gz62thKA [https://youtu.be/Ip2Gz62thKA] #Neurodiversity #Autism #Neurodivergent #InclusiveEducation #DifferentIsNormal