Who Would I Have Been If I Had Known?: The Grief of Late Neurodivergent Diagnosis

Who Would I Have Been If I Had Known?: The Grief of Late Neurodivergent Diagnosis

What happens when a late neurodivergent diagnosis brings not only relief… but grief? In this solo episode, Coty Walker explores the often unspoken emotional side of discovering ADHD or neurodivergence later in life, the mourning of the life you could have had if you had understood yourself sooner. Together, we explore: * the grief of years spent masking and overcompensating * the shame many neurodivergent adults silently carry * mourning relationships, opportunities, and self-worth * the complicated emotions of parenting while unsupported yourself * anger, identity reconstruction, and nervous system exhaustion * and the healing that can begin when we replace self-judgment with compassion If you’ve ever wondered: “Who would I have been if I had known sooner?” …this episode is for you. You are not alone. And it is not too late to rebuild your relationship with yourself from a place of awareness, compassion, and acceptance. website: https://whatifyoufly.ca/ [https://whatifyoufly.ca/] Instagram: @what_if_you_fly_coaching [https://www.instagram.com/what_if_you_fly_coaching/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cotywalker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cotywalker/]

Why So Many Girls With ADHD Go Undiagnosed: The Hidden Face of ADHD in Girls and Women - A conversation with Katie Bertie

In this episode of Walking the Neurodiversity Path, Coty Walker sits down with UK based ADHD and dyslexia specialist, teacher, and neurodivergent parent Katie Bertie for an honest conversation about why so many girls and women with ADHD continue to go unnoticed, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed for years. Together, they explore the hidden presentation of ADHD in girls, including masking, perfectionism, emotional sensitivity, people pleasing, anxiety, and the deep impact of growing up feeling “different” without understanding why. Katie shares insights from both her professional and personal experience supporting neurodivergent children, teens, and families, while Coty opens up a compassionate space for conversations many women are only now beginning to have later in life. Whether you are a parent, educator, late-diagnosed woman, or someone trying to better understand the neurodivergent experience, this conversation offers insight, validation, compassion, and hope. Katie is offering us a free 3 part parent guide: 3 simple steps you can take to support your ADHD/dyslexic teen fearlessly, so they can tackle school and life with confidence and joy. Dowload it here: https://gift.katiebertieeducation.com/coty [https://gift.katiebertieeducation.com/coty] To learn more about Katie Bertie and her work, visit: Her website: www.katiebertieeducation.com [http://www.katiebertieeducation.com/] Substack: https://substack.com/@katiebertie [https://substack.com/@katiebertie] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebertie/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebertie/]

Understanding Myself Later in Life: A Conversation With Lotti on ADHD, Identity and Self-Acceptance

In this candid and deeply personal episode, Coty sits down with her close friend Lotti to explore what it means to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Through honest reflections, moments of humor, and stories from their friendship, they unpack the complexity of identity, the realities of navigating stigma, especially as professionals, and the ongoing journey of making sense of yourself. This conversation is a gentle reminder that understanding doesn’t happen overnight, and that self-acceptance is not a destination, but a process. If you’ve ever questioned how your brain works or felt like you’re figuring things out later than others, this episode will resonate.

Sensory Overload & Change, Why Small Things Feel Big

In this honest and personal episode, Coty Walker explores how sensory overload and resistance to change can make even the smallest things feel overwhelming. From avoiding a new microphone to struggling with clothing tags, Coty shares her own experiences to uncover a deeper truth: when our nervous system is stretched, what looks like overreacting is often our brain trying to protect us. This episode is a gentle reminder that you’re not alone and that instead of pushing through, there may be a different way forward. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by small tasks, or resistant to change, this conversation will help you better understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. website: https://whatifyoufly.ca/ [https://whatifyoufly.ca/] Instagram: @what_if_you_fly_coaching [https://www.instagram.com/what_if_you_fly_coaching/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cotywalker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cotywalker/]

The Shift from Correction to Compassion in ADHD: A Conversation with Krista Van Iderstine

In this episode of Walking the Neurodiversity Path, Coty Walker sits down with Registered Occupational Therapist and ADD coach Krista Van Iderstine for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about what it really means to support ADHD. Diagnosed as an adult, Krista brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. Together, Krista and Coty explore the limitations of traditional ADHD approaches that focus heavily on behavior modification, productivity, and “fixing” challenges, often without addressing the inner emotional world. This conversation invites a powerful shift: from constant correction to self-understanding, from pressure to compassion, and from relying solely on systems to developing a deeper relationship with yourself. If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder than everyone else just to keep up, or like the systems that are supposed to help you just aren’t enough...this episode offers a refreshing and validating perspective. You are not broken. And there is another way. Krista Van Iderstine’s website-Befriending Your Brain OT & Coaching Services: https://www.kristaotcoach.com/index.html [https://www.kristaotcoach.com/index.html] For Krista’s meditations on Free Insight Timer app-her teacher profile coming soon and you will be able to search her name in the app Krista Van Iderstine’s meditations on Free Soundcloud app: https://on.soundcloud.com/vZWX07B7hA4WkWTo9o [https://on.soundcloud.com/vZWX07B7hA4WkWTo9o] Other resources mentioned during podcast Kristin Neff self-compassion researcher website: https://self-compassion.org/ [https://self-compassion.org/] Kristin Neff TED talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKEtknqHTjo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKEtknqHTjo]