Problem Sizing: 3 Ways 'Big Deal Vs. Little Deal' Harms Neurodivergent Kids
Release Date: 02/19/2025
FREE RESOURCE to Increase Understanding & Support for Autistic & ADHD Students
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
Welcome to The Autism ADHD Podcast! I'm thrilled that you joined me. My name is Holly Blanc Moses, The Mom/Neurodivergent Therapist. Today, we are talking about the FREE "Get to Know My Child Snapshot" - a one-page fillable pdf that takes less than 5-minutes to complete. Decrease anxiety Prevent misunderstandings about behavior Highlight strengths and interests Set a child up for success with teachers, coaches, tutors, sitters, therapists, doctors, etc. Get your FREE "Get To Know My Child Snapshot" ⭐️ ⭐️ Hey Therapists! Come on over for NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING...
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Telling My Parents, "I'm Autistic": Masking, Sensory Needs & Validation
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
Hey friends—today I’m getting personal. I share what it was like to tell my dad and mom about my autism diagnosis at 50, how internalized ableism whispered “you’re not autistic enough,” and why believing kids is one of the most powerful ways to lower anxiety. We talk masking that looked like “success,” sensory differences that shaped my days, the “my regular” story (Hi, Dairy Queen), and the moment validation turned fear into relief. If you’re a parent, therapist, educator—or navigating your own neurodivergent identity—this one’s for you. What you’ll learn How...
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Stop Meltdowns: Help Autistic & ADHD Kids Turn Avoidance into Confidence
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
Ever asked an autistic and/or adhd child to do something “simple” and they had a meltdown or shutdown? Does it seem like they'll do anything to avoid? In this episode, I'm breaking down the reasons behind the avoidance and I'll introduce you to The Doable Approach. It's my practical, neurodiversity-affirming approach that helps kids feel safe, understood, and capable. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why avoidance isn’t refusal ✅ The “invisible stacked blocks” that lead to meltdowns and shutdowns ✅ Practical ways to make tasks and time feel doable ✅ How to support mental...
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From Academic Struggles to Social Challenges: Understanding & Supporting Processing Speed Differences
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
Ever wonder why it takes three hours to do 20 minutes of homework? Or why they freeze up when you ask them to get dressed? Join me, Holly Blanc Moses, and special guest, Leila Beikmohomadi, as we take a deep dive into processing speed differences in ADHD and autistic children and teens. We also share our lived experience with processing speed differences! What Parents, Therapists & Educators Will Learn: What processing speed actually is (hint: it's not about intelligence) How slower processing speed shows up at home and school Why anxiety makes processing speed even slower The...
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The Hidden Executive Function That Affects Everything from Math to Meltdowns in Autistic and ADHD Kids
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
Does your child, student or client constantly forgetting what you just said? Struggling to follow directions, stay organized, or complete schoolwork? You’re not alone — and it’s not a behavior problem. It may be lower working memory. In this episode of The Autism ADHD Podcast, I breaks down what working memory really is, why it’s often misunderstood, and how it impacts everything from transitions to conversations to homework. Most importantly — you'll walk away with compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming strategies that actually help at home, in the classroom, and beyond. ...
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The Social Skill That Protects the Mental Health of Autistic & ADHD Kids
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
When your neurodivergent child, client or student faces social rejection, how do you protect their self-worth while still helping them grow? Join Dr. Daniel Wendler and me, Holly Blanc Moses, for game-changing mindset shifts that support mental health. This isn't about lowering expectations or avoiding social situations. It's about teaching kids to measure success by how authentically they show up, not by other people's responses. We discuss why this approach actually leads to better social connections AND stronger mental health. Whether your child, client, or student is struggling with...
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Stop Saying This to Neurodivergent Kids (It Contributes to Depression)
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
At 50 years old, I still feel physically sick when I hear these two words. My throat closes up, my chest tightens, and I'm instantly transported back to being that confused, overwhelmed neurodivergent kid who could never seem to get things right. Those words? "Should be." In this vulnerable and eye-opening episode, I share how "should be" thinking is accidentally creating mental health crises in our ADHD and autistic children - and what to do instead. Whether you are a parent, therapist or educator, you're going to gain valuable insights on how to better support neurodivergent kids:)...
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Why Neurodivergent Kids Stay in Their Comfort Zone & How to Help Them Step Out
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
Welcome to The Autism ADHD Podcast. I'm glad you joined me today because my guest, Reid Miles, host of "Inside the Asperger's Studio," and I are talking about why it's so hard to move outside our comfort zone. We are also discussing how to move outside the zone with more comfort and confidence. Some of the topics we are covering are: Why forcing neurodivergent kids out of their comfort zone backfires The real reason behind the "I don't want to" responses How to use "starter sentences" to understand your child's fears The anchor person strategy for building confidence Small, doable steps...
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Hold On Tight: 5 Must Know Tips For Parenting Neurodivergent Children
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
I'm honored to interview Jan Stewart, author of "Hold on Tight." In today's episode, she shares her powerful journey raising two neurodivergent children and provides five essential tips that every parent of ADHD and autistic kids needs to hear. Jan's wisdom comes from decades of advocacy, partnership-building, and learning to trust her instincts while navigating systems that often misunderstand our children. After you take a listen, please share:) Sincerely, Holly Blanc Moses - The Mom/Neurodivergent Therapist ⭐️ ⭐️ Get your FREE BEHAVIOR DETECTIVE GUIDE To support...
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Reactive to Regulated: How Neurodivergent Moms Can Stay Calm In The Chaos & Avoid Burnout
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Kate Moryoussef, host of the award-winning ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, to discuss the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent mothers. Both diagnosed in their 40s, Kate and I share authentic insights about self-acceptance, burnout prevention, and how to be the calm anchor for our families. Key Topics Discussed The grief and relief that comes with a late ADHD diagnosis Why self-compassion must come before self-acceptance Recognizing the subtle signs of approaching burnout How ADHD presents differently across life stages and hormonal changes...
info_outlineHave you ever told a child, “It’s not a big deal” or “You’re overreacting”? Many of us grew up hearing these phrases, and without realizing it, we may now be saying the same things to the children we support. But what if minimizing a child’s emotions does more harm than good—especially for neurodivergent kids?
In this episode of The Autism ADHD Podcast, I dive into why problem sizing the struggles of neurodivergent children can be harmful, how dismissing emotions can impact self-trust, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation, and how minimizing emotions can create long-term struggles in seeking help. I also cover practical
strategies to help kids recognize and process their emotions—without shutting them down
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a deeper understanding of why validating children's emotions is crucial and how small shifts in language can make a world of difference!
Sincerely,
Holly Blanc Moses, The Mom/Neurodivergent Therapist
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