From Shame to Self-Compassion: Supporting Mental Health, Social Needs and Executive Functioning in Neurodivergent Kids
Release Date: 04/30/2025
Why Overusing the Word “Friend” Can Hurt Autistic and ADHD Children
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
We use the word friend all the time—at school, at home, on the playground. “Line up, friends.” “We don’t hit our friends.” “That’s my friend from work.” It sounds warm and inclusive, and it’s almost always said with good intentions. But for many autistic and ADHD children, language is taken literally. When we tell them everyone is their friend, they believe us. And then they expect those people to act like friends—to include them, play with them, and treat them kindly. When that doesn’t happen, the confusion can turn into hurt, self-blame, anxiety, and even depression....
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Why Neurodivergent Kids Get Labeled “Bossy”— & the 4-Steps That Change Everything
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
"Bossy." "Rude." "Demanding." "Has an attitude." If your autistic or ADHD child keeps getting these labels from teachers, family members, other parents or even yourself - this episode is for you. As an AuDHD psychologist, I see this pattern and how it silences the voices of neurodivergent children. destroying children's voices every single day. In this episode, I'll show you: What's REALLY happening when your neurodivergent child speaks directly Why YOUR nervous system reacts so strongly to their tone (and why that matters) The devastating long-term impact of constantly correcting tone The...
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The Emotional Toll of Sensory Sensitivities: What Autistic & ADHD Kids Feel That Adults Often Miss
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
Sensory experiences shape how neurodivergent kids feel, think, and show up in the world — and when those experiences are overwhelming, confusing, or dismissed, the emotional toll can be enormous. In today’s rebroadcast, Holly Blanc Moses (AuDHD therapist, evaluator, and mom) gets deeply personal, sharing powerful stories from her own childhood and adulthood that reveal what sensory differences really feel like from the inside. From the “sock struggle” to being pushed into a pool, to finally standing under a waterfall at 50 years old—Holly opens the door to understanding sensory...
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5 Signs of An Emotionally Safe Parent For Neurodivergent Children
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
In this episode of The Autism ADHD Podcast, host Holly Blanc Moses welcomes Shelly Robinson, a Certified Conscious parenting coach and founder of Raising Yourself. You don't want to miss this episode! Parents, therapists, and educators are going to LOVE this episode. Holly and Shelly cover 5 signs of emotionally safe parents, why this way of parenting is the best for both the child and the parent and how to work on becoming a safer parent. They dive into crucial topics like allowing kids to disagree respectfully, not taking their behavior personally, and the importance of self-care for...
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13 Ways to Support Motivation & Executive Functioning in ADHD and Autistic Children
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
If you've ever thought, "Why don't they just do what I say?" or "They need to be more motivated," this episode will completely change how you support autistic and adhd children. In this episode, you'll learn: What motivation actually is (cognitively speaking) and how it relies on executive functioning The specific executive functions that impact motivation How executive functioning challenges lead to anxiety and depression when kids are blamed instead of supported Real case examples of what "unmotivated" looks like from the outside—and what's really happening on the inside 13 practical,...
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5 Game-Changing School Accommodations for Autistic and ADHD Students
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
Thanks for joining me, Holly Blanc Moses - The Mom/Neurodivergent Therapist, on The Autism ADHD Podcast. Is a neurodivergent student in your life struggling at school? You're not alone—and there ARE supports that actually work. In this episode, I'm breaking down 5 game-changing school accommodations based on what parents, therapists, and educators are searching for most: communication supports, sensory regulation, executive functioning help, and more. These aren't vague suggestions—they're real examples you can implement in the classroom, recommend in evaluations, or request in IEP...
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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...
info_outlineI'm excited to welcome Dr. Catherine Mutti-Driscoll back to The Autism ADHD Podcast for this special rebroadcast! We are chatting about neurodivergent children and their experience with self-critcism and how this is impacted by social differences, learning needs and executive functioning. Catherine and I also talk about how to move forward with self-compassion.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
- What brain shame is and how it develops in neurodivergent individuals
- How executive function challenges are brain-based skills, not character flaws
- The impact of brain shame on academic performance, social interactions, and home life
- Catherine and I talk about our journeys.
- How parent and educator expectations can unintentionally foster brain shame
- Strategies for combating brain shame and building self-compassion
- Why understanding your brain's unique wiring is crucial for mental health
Sincerely,
Holly Blanc Moses - The Mom/Neurodivergent Therapist
CLICK HERE for Holly's Free Behavior & Social Interaction Guides and MORE!
Learn more about Holly's private practice in North Carolina
Learn more about Holly's continuing education trainings for mental health therapists
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