The Social Skill That Protects the Mental Health of Autistic & ADHD Kids
Release Date: 07/30/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineWhen 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 friendship challenges, social anxiety, or that crushing feeling of "nobody likes me," this episode offers practical strategies you can use immediately!
⭐️ Get your FREE GET TO KNOW MY CHILD SNAPSHOT
Set your child up for success by providing essential information at a glance! This one-page snapshot takes less than 5 minutes to complete and helps anyone supporting your child, including camp counselors, coaches, teachers, therapists, sitters, and more.
⭐️ Click here for free resources, trainings, and continuing education-
⭐️ Get your FREE BEHAVIOR DETECTIVE GUIDE
To support neurodivergent children and teens, we need to understand their unique needs and honor their experiences. The Behavior Detective Guide breaks down information to help identify barriers and patterns, leading to neurodiversity affirming approaches.
⭐️ Get your FREE SOCIAL SUCCESS GUIDE
Social interaction can be confusing and anxiety-provoking for neurodivergent children and teens. The Social Success Guide provides practical strategies to support social confidence and authenticity.
⭐️ Hey Therapists! Come on over for NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING CONTINUING EDUCATION
Enhance your therapeutic approach with our affirming and engaging trainings while earning CE credits to fulfill your professional development requirements, as our courses are approved by the NBCC.
⭐️ Welcome to our PARENT MASTERCLASSES WITH Q&A
Each live class is packed with supportive strategies on the topics parents want most. Can't make it live? No worries, because you'll get the replay. Sign up to be the first to know when the next masterclass is scheduled.
❤️ You're invited to my FACEBOOK GROUPS. Can't wait to see you there:)
- Parents, come on over and join the Autism ADHD Facebook Group for Parents
- Therapists & educators, join the Facebook Group for professionals
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About Holly Blanc Moses
Holly Blanc Moses is a neurodivergent psychologist, speaker, consultant, continuing education provider and host of The Autism ADHD Podcast, Autism ADHD TV and parent masterclasses.
About Dr. Daniel Wendler
Dr. Daniel Wendler is an autistic clinical psychologist, two-time TEDx speaker, and bestselling author. He's the co-author of "Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal" and has spoken on neurodiversity to leading organizations including Google, Accenture, and Harvard. His expertise has been featured by the American Psychological Association, Bloomberg Magazine, and the New York Sun.
Website: danielwendler.com