If you’ve ever found yourself whisper-screaming “Why won’t they just DO it?” in the hallway while your child refuses to put socks on for the tenth time… this one’s for you.

In this episode of Autism, ADHD and Us Three, Jenny sits down with Emma McDonnell, a neurodivergent mother navigating life, education, and holidays with children who have Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) which is a profile of autism that turns traditional parenting advice completely on its head.

Emma shares her real, raw journey from career woman to full-time carer, unpacking the WTF is happening?! moments that come with raising PDAers, and the mindset shifts that helped her move from panic to presence.

Together, they explore:
– Why compliance isn’t the goal
– How self-compassion might actually be your best parenting strategy
– The emotional landmines of holiday expectations
– And why “well-being” doesn’t have to mean spa days or 5am journaling

This episode is a permission slip for anyone parenting neurodivergent children through systems that don’t understand them and doing it while running on fumes.

Keywords

PDA parenting
Autism and demand avoidance
Neurodivergent motherhood
Holiday stress & family dynamics
Mental health and well-being
Education & unmet needs
Trauma-informed parenting
Self-compassion for mums
Autistic children and school
Emotional regulation in ND families

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Email: emma@emma-mcdonnell.comWebsite: emma-mcdonnell.comInstagram: @theemmamcdonnell

In this episode, Jenny Lucas discusses her newly launched book, 'Autism ADHD and Me: You're No Bullshit Guide to Life After Late Diagnosis.' Buy your copy here: https://amzn.to/4o58FQf

She shares her personal journey of writing the book, the challenges she faced during her late diagnosis of ADHD and autism, and the importance of self-love and acceptance.

The conversation delves into the themes of internalised ableism, navigating relationships, and the significance of community support.

Jenny emphasises the need for resources that resonate with neurodivergent individuals and the transformative power of understanding oneself post-diagnosis.-------------------------------

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Keywords

Autism, ADHD, neurodivergence, late diagnosis, self-love, internalized ableism, book launch, personal journey, relationships, community support

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Book Launch

05:42 The Purpose Behind the Book

11:23 Chapter Insights: Key Themes

16:44 The Importance of Self-Love

22:18 The Role of Community and Feedback

Welcome back! Before we dive in, if you’re enjoying the podcast, I’d love you to leave a quick review. It really helps more neurodivergent women like us find these conversations.

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Niki McGlynn, a neurodevelopmental therapist and trainer, who brings her personal story of late diagnosis and her deep expertise in primitive reflexes. We dig into what primitive reflexes actually are, why they matter for autistic and ADHD brains, and how retained reflexes can shape everything from emotional regulation to sensory processing and even people pleasing.

Niki shares practical insights into reflex integration therapy, a movement-based approach that helps the nervous system let go of unintegrated reflexes. We talk about why movement is so powerful for brain development, how small exercises can make a big difference at home, and why advocacy in schools and clinical settings is essential.

This episode is full of lightbulb moments, especially if you’ve ever wondered why you (or your child) struggle with focus, anxiety, or overwhelm, despite working so hard. Niki’s approach doesn’t “cure” neurodivergence (and why would we want it to?) but it does offer hope for reducing the struggles while keeping all the brilliance.

🌐 Find Niki here: Organised Mind
📱 Instagram: @_organisedmind

✨ Ready to go deeper? Join my world here:

• Sign up to my newsletter for weekly insights

• Join the Facebook community to connect with other late-diagnosed women

• Join the book waitlist for Autism, ADHD and Me — launching 28 October 2025!

  
  

Keywords:

neurodivergence, ADHD, autism, primitive reflexes, emotional regulation, reflex integration therapy, sensory processing, late diagnosis, parenting, advocacy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Neurodivergence and Personal Journeys
03:22 Understanding Primitive Reflexes and Their Impact
06:10 The Connection Between Reflexes and Neurodivergence
08:58 Reflex Integration Therapy: How It Works
11:25 Benefits of Reflex Integration Therapy
14:13 Addressing Sensory Processing and Emotional Regulation
17:01 The Role of Movement in Brain Development
19:45 Navigating Adult Life with Retained Reflexes
22:18 Advocacy for Neurodivergent Individuals
25:21 Practical Tips for Parents and Individuals
27:48 Conclusion and Resources