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

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

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

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

    04/06/2026 | 27 mins.
    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!

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

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

    28/05/2026 | 27 mins.
    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

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

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

    21/05/2026 | 26 mins.
    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.

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    GET THE LINKS⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea WebsiteJoin the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

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

    14/05/2026 | 31 mins.
    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

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

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

    07/05/2026 | 31 mins.
    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
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About Neurodivergent Conversations | Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, SEND parent, Meltdowns, Special Needs Parent
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.
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Neurodivergent Conversations | Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, SEND parent, Meltdowns, Special Needs Parent: Podcasts in Family