The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller

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Vicki’s journey into special education advocacy started not from a classroom or office, but right at her own kitchen table as a mom trying to figure out how to help her son, Luke, who was born with an incredibly rare chromosome disorder. Facing a room full of educators and specialists at Luke’s first IEP meeting, she nodded along while feeling completely lost, overwhelmed, and just hoping she was making the right choices. That moment of confusion and worry stuck with her, fueling a deep need to understand the maze of IEPs and special education. Rather than letting fear take over, Vicki educated herself, took courses, and eventually became a lifeline for other parents facing similar situations. Her story is filled with those raw, real moments—like feeling nervous sitting in child-sized chairs surrounded by professionals, or doubting if she was truly advocating enough for her son. It’s this mix of vulnerability and determination that makes her journey so relatable, reminding every parent that it’s okay to feel uncertain, but it’s even more important to keep pushing for your child’s needs.,Vicki’s path to becoming a special education advocate didn’t begin with any grand plan—it started with her simply trying to do right by her sons. When her oldest, Luke, was just three, she faced the intimidating world of IEP meetings for the first time, feeling out of her depth and unsure of what questions to ask or what she was agreeing to. That feeling of being overwhelmed and wanting more for her child sparked something in her. Instead of getting stuck in confusion, she dove headfirst into learning everything she could, enrolling in advocacy courses and later helping other families navigate the same challenges. What makes Vicki’s story stand out is how she turned those early struggles and emotional moments—like crying during meetings or worrying she’d missed something important—into fuel for helping others. Her experience proves that you don’t have to start as an expert; you just need the courage to keep learning, keep asking, and never stop fighting for your child’s right to a fair education.

Vicki Christensen brings a wealth of real-life experience to the world of special education advocacy, shaped by her journey as a mom to two neurodivergent sons. After her oldest, Luke, received a rare chromosome disorder diagnosis, she quickly realized that understanding the IEP process was essential—not just for her family, but for others as well. This led her to study special education advocacy at the University of San Diego, work with local nonprofits, and eventually launch Blue Glasses Advocacy to support families all over Southern California. Vicki’s down-to-earth attitude and firsthand knowledge make her relatable, and she’s known for breaking down complicated IEP jargon into language parents can actually use. Her book, “Uniquely Fully Enough: The Neurodivergent Parenting Journey,” weaves together her personal story with practical insights, showing her dedication to empowering parents and helping them feel less alone on the IEP journey.

Vicki's Resources:
Visit blueglassesadvocacy.com to find out more about Vicki C and contact her directly.

Follow Blue Glasses Advocacy on Instagram for updates and resources.

Request a copy of the draft IEP three days before your meeting.

Write down all your questions and concerns before attending your IEP meeting.

Ask for work samples and the data used to measure your child’s progress during IEP meetings.

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In this episode, you’ll get to hear Laura Zane share her journey as a neurodivergent woman, opening up about what it was like to discover her ADHD later in life and how that shaped her approach to therapy. As someone who’s walked this path herself, Laura really understands the unique challenges you might face with late diagnosis, sensory overload, and anxiety. She talks about how embracing her neurodiversity led her to develop practical, affirming strategies in her work, making her insights super relatable whether you’re seeking support, new ways to handle overwhelm, or just some validation for your experiences. The conversation dives into real-life stories and tips that can help you feel seen, especially if you’ve ever felt like a deep thinker or struggled to find therapy that actually “gets” you. If you’re looking for thoughtful advice and want to hear from someone who truly gets what it’s like to be in your shoes, this episode is definitely worth a listen.,In this episode, Laura Zane shares her personal experience as a neurodivergent woman, discussing her late ADHD diagnosis and how it transformed both her life and her work as a therapist. She dives into the specific challenges neurodivergent women face, touching on topics like sensory overload, anxiety, and the search for support that truly understands their needs. Laura’s story highlights how embracing neurodiversity has shaped her therapeutic approach, leading her to develop practical, affirming strategies that resonate with deep thinkers and those feeling overwhelmed. Through relatable stories and actionable advice, she offers listeners validation and hope, making this conversation a valuable resource for anyone seeking authentic support and a better understanding of themselves. Laura’s expertise and lived experience make her insights especially relevant for those navigating similar journeys.

Laura Zane is a licensed mental health counselor based in Florida who brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with neurodivergent women. As someone with ADHD, dyscalculia, and a trauma history, Laura gets what it’s like to feel different and misunderstood, especially as a woman navigating a late diagnosis. She’s passionate about supporting clients who are empaths, homeschoolers, or deep thinkers, and she takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach in her practice. Laura’s down-to-earth style comes from years of therapy herself, plus her own journey through school struggles, masking, and finding a sense of belonging. She understands firsthand how tricky it can be to manage anxiety, sensory overload, and the pressure to fit in, which makes her especially relatable to women looking for real empathy and practical strategies.

Laura's Resources:
Visit Laura Zane’s website at laurazain.com to learn more about her services.

Visit sagesynergy.net for information about holistic therapy and Laura’s practice, Sage Synergy.

Visit coachingforempaths.com to work with Laura in a coaching capacity, specifically for empaths in business.

Contact Laura Zane directly by phone at 941-650-3112 for inquiries or to schedule a session in Florida.

Listen to future episodes of the Neurodivergent Connection podcast to stay curious, stay fearless, and remember you’re never alone.

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Karyn Whitaker has turned her own journey with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia into a mission to make life easier for others navigating similar paths. As the founder of Try Harder is BS, she’s all about ditching the old advice that just leads to frustration and burnout. Karyn’s style is refreshingly honest and relatable—she’s been through the messy moments and knows that real solutions come from lived experience, not just textbooks. Drawing on years of personal trial and error, she now helps neurodivergent people and their loved ones find straightforward, practical ways to manage daily overwhelm, build confidence, and use tools like AI to make tough days a little easier.

Resources:
Visit Karyn Whitaker’s website at tryharderisbs.com to learn more about her work and resources.

Access Karyn Whitaker’s “Five Prompts to Restart All the HD Brains” via the link provided in the podcast blurb.

Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot for support with writing, organization, and executive function tasks.

Explore agentic AI solutions to create custom AI agents with specific guardrails for tasks such as sales inquiries or writing assistance.

Utilize AI for step-by-step guidance in daily tasks, such as cooking or prioritizing to-dos, by prompting it for micro-steps or logical sorting.

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Raising Neurodivergent Kids in a Digital World: What I Wish Every Parent Knew
Online rules are invisible—and for neurodivergent kids, that can be costly. This conversation shows a safer way.
I sit down with Dr. Clark and her son, Chris, to talk about the moment a simple post turned into threats, what that did to their family, and how guidance changed everything. We get real about bullying, anxiety, and the hidden risks most parents don’t see—plus the guardrails that would’ve spared years of pain.

You’ll hear how they now teach kids to read social cues online, spot grooming tactics, and protect their digital footprint—without shutting them out of the internet entirely. We also talk about the one shift that stops kids from chasing the “top dog” for attention, and the parent habits that make a real difference at home.
If you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, you’ll walk away knowing what to watch for, what to ask, and where to get support. And yes, we talk about the program they built so kids can practice social media safely—with real moderation and teachable moments baked in.
What changes when kids learn digital wellness early? How do you teach skills instead of rules? And what’s the first conversation to start tonight? That’s all inside.

About the Guests
Dr. Clark is an educator, parent advocate, and author who leads a monthly support group for parents of neurodivergent kids. She co-created a monitored social platform and curriculum that prepares kids for real-world social media.
Chris is her son, now an adult, who shares his lived experience with online bullying, depression, and how guidance reshaped his posting, mindset, and confidence.

Key Timestamps
0:28 – Chris’s hardest online moment and the fallout

1:22 – A parent’s first response and what changed at home

4:10 – “What I wish school taught me” and where the idea started

4:53 – Why unspoken social rules online overwhelm neurodivergent kids

10:03 – A safe space to practice social media (and how it’s moderated)

14:26 – From managing crises to building a solution for families

19:24 – When guidance replaced confusion for Chris

20:11 – How early digital wellness shapes future adults

22:18 – The parent side: tools, monitoring, and what most miss

30:07 – Why skills beat rules (and reduce secrecy)

34:58 – What parents need to hear right now

40:25 – Books, free ebook, and the parent support group

Keywords: neurodivergent, Autism, ADHD, digital wellness, online safety, social media literacy, bullying, digital footprint, parenting, educators, teens
Call to Action: Listen now, then share this with one parent or teacher who needs it. Grab Dr. Clark’s free ebook at mothersofexceptionalkids.com and check the monthly MOAC parent group.
#Neurodiversity #DigitalWellness #OnlineSafety #Autism #ADHD

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AUDHD Is Its Own Thing: Stephanie Lewis on RSD, Sensory Life, and a Therapy That Doesn’t Rely on Talking
Struggling with therapy that asks you to “talk it out” when words won’t come? This one’s for you.
In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Lewis—retired special education teacher, school psychologist, and coach—who discovered her own autism and ADHD in her 60s. We unpack why AUDHD isn’t just “autism + ADHD,” how that shows up day to day, and why so many of us feel unseen in traditional therapy.

Stephanie reveals a structured, non-language-based process she created that helps with things like rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), shutdowns, and overwhelm—without forcing you to label every feeling. You’ll hear how it works with the nervous system, why confidence is a habit you can build, and the subtle shifts clients notice first.

By the end, you’ll see new possibilities for relief and self-trust—and you’ll have a simple first step you can try today. But how does this approach reduce RSD episodes? What makes it flexible for different AUDHD profiles? And why do many clients feel “seen” long before they say much at all?

About the Guest
Stephanie Lewis is a retired special education teacher and school psychologist turned coach. After decades supporting neurodivergent folks, she learned she’s autistic with ADHD and now focuses on accessible methods that don’t depend on heavy talk therapy. She also offers free intro sessions to her process on Facebook and Zoom.

Key Timestamps
0:11 – Meet Stephanie Lewis and her late-in-life diagnosis

1:59 – What AUDHD really means (and why it’s not in the DSM…yet)

11:49 – The problem Stephanie set out to solve with a non-talking method

16:52 – When traditional therapy missed the mark

18:27 – “You function”: a simple way to describe the AUDHD experience

27:29 – How this structure differs from typical approaches

31:52 – Working with the nervous system, not against it

33:43 – Handling burnout, shutdowns, and overwhelm in real time

42:54 – For the AUDHD listener exhausted by bad therapy

44:18 – A quick, calming drawing practice for overwhelm

If this resonated, subscribe and share with someone who needs it. Find Stephanie’s links in the show notes, join our community newsletter, and keep the conversation going with me on socials.
Keywords: AUDHD, autism, ADHD, neurodivergent, RSD, rejection sensitive dysphoria, shutdowns, burnout, sensory sensitivity, DSM-5, nonverbal therapy, drawing-based therapy, habit building
Call to Action: Subscribe for more supportive conversations, grab the links to Stephanie’s free sessions, and send this to a parent, educator, or friend who could use practical, compassionate tools.
#AUDHD #Neurodivergent #Autism #ADHD #RSD
Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
🌐 More about the show and past episodes: https://podcast.ausha.co/neurodivergantconnection-thecuriousstroyteller
📩 Guest inquiries & media: [email protected]

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.