The Unfinished Idea: Understanding the Neurodiverse World

• Unmasking ADHD: Laurie’s Journey of Late Diagnosis, Identity, and Everyday Life

  What if everything you thought was “just your personality” turned out to be ADHD? For many late-diagnosed adults, that lightbulb moment brings both relief and grief. Laurie’s story shines a light on what it means to navigate identity, unmasking, and daily life with ADHD in a world that often misunderstands neurodivergence. Meet Laurie Faulkner, a content creator and advocate who was diagnosed with ADHD at 23 after years of feeling “different.” Her journey—from drama school to impulsively moving countries, working for Disney as a princess, and now openly sharing her ADHD story online—offers a relatable and refreshing perspective. Laurie speaks candidly about masking, overstimulation, impulsivity, and the hacks that help her thrive. She brings authenticity, humor, and honesty to the conversation, making her a powerful voice for the late-diagnosed neurodivergent community.TOPICS DISCUSSEDLate ADHD diagnosis in adulthoodMasking and unmaskingOverstimulation and sensory sensitivitiesImpulsivity and decision-making with ADHDHacks for managing focus and routinesSupporting neurodivergent friends and adultsNeurodiversity as a spectrumStrengths and struggles of ADHD brainsTAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODEADHD often goes unnoticed until adulthood, leaving many to feel “different” without knowing why.Masking can be exhausting—and unmasking is a process of rediscovering your true self.Impulsivity isn’t always a negative—sometimes it leads to incredible adventures and opportunities.Practical ADHD hacks include: doing tasks immediately, sticking to routines, and using tools like Google Calendar.Support for neurodivergent people looks like acceptance, honest communication, and accountability from those closest to them.Neurodivergence is a spectrum—every person’s experience is unique, and that diversity is a strength. Join the Unfinished Community WhatsApp. Where you can share your everyday joys, struggles, and differences! Click here to join.Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world. You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe. Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain! Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Fighting for Change: How Parents Are Transforming the SEND System with Hayley

  What happens when a system designed to support children with additional needs fails them instead? Across the UK, families are facing rejected applications, endless bureaucracy, and years of waiting for vital services. Behind the statistics are real children, real parents, and stories of resilience and determination. Today we dive into the fight for fair education and support for neurodivergent children. This week, Greer speaks with Hayley, a solicitor turned campaigner after her son was denied the support he urgently needed. What began as a personal battle soon grew into a national campaign, as Hayley discovered just how many families were being failed by the system.In this conversation, Hayley shares:Her personal journey navigating the EHCP process for her autistic sonHow local authorities are rejecting thousands of children in needThe creation of the grassroots group Let Us Learn TooPractical ways parents can advocate, both in the UK and beyondWhy changing the culture of SEND support is just as vital as changing the law. TOPICS DISCUSSEDSpecial Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)EHCPs and IEPs (UK & US perspectives)Parent advocacy and grassroots campaignsNeurodiversity in educationBarriers families face in the school systemGovernment policy and SEND reformSupporting children with autism and ADHDGlobal perspectives on best practices in education TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODEMany families in the UK are experiencing EHCP rejections, with some local authorities rejecting over 60% of applications.Hayley’s legal background didn’t shield her from the gaslighting, intimidation, and bureaucracy parents face—highlighting just how overwhelming the system is for most families.Campaigns like Let Us Learn Too and the Fight for Ordinary movement are giving parents and children a louder voice in Parliament and beyond.The most important shift needed? Moving from a “cost-saving” mindset back to a child-centered culture in education.Parents everywhere—whether in the UK, US, or elsewhere—can start small: break down their child’s needs, connect with others, and advocate persistently.Globally, there are models we can learn from—such as Ontario, Canada—showing that better systems are possible when we share best practices. Follow Hayley’s work with Let Us Learn Too Join the September 15th rally in London → [insert link] Join the Unfinished Community WhatsApp. Where you can share your everyday joys, struggles, and differences! Click here to join.Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world. You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe. Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain! Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Parenting Neurodivergent Teens: ADHD, Autism, and the Teenage Years with Jheri South

  Did you know that children with ADHD often hear over 20,000 corrective messages by the age of 10? Imagine the weight of that shame and self-doubt as they enter the already turbulent teenage years. For parents raising neurodivergent teens, the shift from childhood to adolescence can feel like everything changes overnight. But you’re not alone in this. In this episode, I sit down with Jheri South, mom of seven neurodivergent kids, ADHD/autism coach, and advocate. She shares her personal journey of navigating comorbidities, school struggles, mental health challenges, and how parenting styles can shape a child’s ability to advocate for themselves. You’ll hear about: What happens when hormones and neurodivergence collide Why role-playing is a powerful tool for autistic and ADHD teens How parents can shift from “discipline first” to “what does my child need?” The difference between authoritarian vs. authoritative parenting styles Why support systems matter for parents just as much as for kids TOPICS DISCUSSED Parenting neurodivergent teenagers ADHD and comorbidities (OCD, anxiety, depression) Puberty, hormones, and emotional regulation Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) Role-playing and self-advocacy skills Parenting styles (authoritarian vs. authoritative) Supporting parents of neurodivergent kids Redefining what “normal” looks like TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Puberty can feel like a switch flips overnight for neurodivergent teens—what was once manageable suddenly becomes overwhelming. Medication and therapies aren’t one-size-fits-all. Even within the same family, every child may need something different. Behavior is communication. Instead of asking, “Is this normal or ADHD?”—ask, “What need is my child expressing?” Role-playing is key to helping kids with ADHD and autism build confidence in social situations and learn self-advocacy. Parenting differently is not weak. It’s intentional, adaptive, and exactly what our kids need. Parents need support too. A listening ear without judgment can be more powerful than advice. Join the Unfinished Community WhatsApp. Where you can share your everyday joys, struggles, and differences! Click here to join.Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world. You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe. Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain! Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Neurodivergent Sleep Struggles: Real Solutions for Better Nights

  Sleep Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a LifelineIf you’re raising or supporting a neurodivergent child, you already know how tough bedtime can be. Meltdowns, 2 AM wake-ups, and total bedtime resistance are all too common. But what if there were real, gentle strategies that actually worked? In this episode, I speak with Lindsey Clark, sleep coach and neurodivergent parenting specialist, about why ND kids and adults often struggle with sleep—and how we can improve it without shame or rigid routines. Meet Our Guest: Lindsey ClarkLindsey is a certified sleep coach who specializes in supporting families of neurodivergent children. With experience working from birth through age 11, Lindsey brings practical, compassionate solutions that are backed by science and shaped by lived experience. Here’s what we cover:Why neurodivergent brains struggle with sleep (and how it’s not your fault)The five key reasons ND kids can’t “just fall asleep”How sensory input, anxiety, melatonin, and circadian rhythms impact restTools to support PDA, autism, and ADHD bedtime needsCreative strategies to regulate after school and wind down naturallyHow to include your child in designing a visual bedtime routineWhat actually helps exhausted parents function during hard seasons What We Talk AboutSleep and neurodivergence aren’t often discussed together—but they should be. Lindsey breaks down how factors like overstimulation, low melatonin, irregular circadian rhythms, and demand avoidance play a massive role in ND sleep issues. She shares why traditional sleep advice often backfires—and how personalized, sensory-aware solutions can help kids (and parents) get the rest they need. Key TakeawaysNeurodivergent kids can sleep well—it just may look different.Melatonin levels and body clocks are often out of sync in ND children, especially those with autism or ADHD.Simple changes—like light levels, visual schedules, and sensory checklists—can lead to big improvements.Bedtime routines don’t have to be perfect—they need to be personalized.Giving kids control (especially those with PDA profiles) helps lower anxiety and increase cooperation.Parents: Rest matters for you too. Even if it’s not sleep, don’t feel guilty taking time to recharge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Late-Diagnosed & Unmasking: Reclaiming Identity After Autism & ADHD Diagnosis

  Getting the Diagnosis Is Just the BeginningWhat happens after the diagnosis? For so many late-diagnosed adults—especially those with ADHD or autism—it sparks a whole journey of unmasking, grieving, relearning, and reclaiming identity.In this episode, Hayley Honeyman shares her powerful story of being diagnosed with ADHD and autism in her early 20s, the internal resistance she felt at first, and how those diagnoses changed everything.Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis yourself or trying to support someone who is, this conversation offers vulnerability, validation, and hope. Meet Our Guest: Hayley HoneymanHayley is a passionate advocate who speaks openly on social media about life as an autistic and ADHD adult. Her content focuses on mental health, neurodivergence, masking, and creating support systems that actually work. In this episode, Hayley shares:What it felt like to receive her ADHD and autism diagnoses one year apartHow she worked through internalized resistance and shameThe long, emotional process of unmasking and discovering her authentic selfPractical ways she’s built a support system—from friends to therapy to coachingTips for educating family while protecting your peaceWhat it means to trust yourself again (and how that takes time) What We Talk AboutFrom masking to meltdown support, family dynamics to identity rebuilding—this episode dives deep into the lived experience of late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults. Hayley and Greer unpack how self-worth often gets tangled in performance, how women are overlooked, and why unlearning takes just as much energy as learning. Key TakeawaysBeing late-diagnosed can bring both relief and grief—and both are valid.Unmasking is not passive—it’s a daily, active process that requires courage and compassion.Building a support system often starts with being vulnerable—first with yourself, then with others.Educating family members takes time, and you don’t need their understanding to begin your healing.Self-trust is one of the most important skills to rebuild post-diagnosis.Neurodivergence includes more than ADHD and autism—be mindful of the full spectrum when building community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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