Survival Mode: Decoding Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn in the Neurodivergent Children & Teens
Release Date: 05/07/2025
No One Asked Me Why: What Autistic and ADHD Children Want You To Know
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
When I was in first grade, I had a plan for Valentine's Day. A very thoughtful, very Holly plan. Every classmate was getting a Valentine. But not every classmate was getting the same coin taped inside. There were the quarter kids. The dime kids. The nickel kids. The penny kids. And one classmate got nothing. My teacher was not happy. My parents were not happy. And not one single adult that day asked me why I did it. That part — the part where no one asked — is what this episode is really about. In this episode, I talk about: ▸ The full story of the Valentine's Day coin system (and...
info_outline
People Pleasing Is Dangerous for Autistic & ADHD Kids: What Parents and Therapists Need to Know
THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST
People Pleasing Is Dangerous for Autistic & ADHD Kids: What Parents and Therapists Need to Know People pleasing is often labeled as being kind, flexible, or mature. But for autistic and ADHD children and teens, people pleasing is often something else entirely. It’s a self-protective survival strategy—one rooted in fear of rejection, emotional pain, and the belief that their needs are “too much.” In this episode of The Autism ADHD Podcast, I talk about why people pleasing is especially risky for neurodivergent kids and teens, how it develops, and the early warning signs adults often...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Autism ADHD Podcast, we explore how the nervous system's survival responses (Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn) shape the experiences of neurodivergent children—and ourselves as parents, educators, and therapists. Learn how recognizing these responses can transform challenging behaviors into opportunities for connection and growth.
What You'll Learn
- Why neurodivergent individuals often experience chronic nervous system hyperarousal
- How to identify the four survival responses in children and in yourself
- Practical strategies for supporting regulation and creating safety
- The importance of co-regulation before attempting to change behaviors
Thank you for supporting the podcast and sharing it with others:)
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
⭐️Join the Facebook Groups
➡️ Parents, Come on over and join the Autism ADHD Facebook Group for Parents
➡️ Professionals, Join the Facebook Group for Therapists and Educators