S3 E1: Navigating friendships as a late diagnosed AuDHDer

About this episode

In this episode, Jenny Lucas shares her experiences navigating friendships as a late-diagnosed woman with autism and ADHD, exploring the complexities of connection and belonging.

✨ Show Notes: Autism, ADHD and Us Three Friendship can be one of the most complicated parts of life and when you add autism or ADHD into the mix, it often feels even more confusing. In this episode, I share my own experiences as a late-diagnosed woman navigating friendships: the longing for people who really “get” you, the heartbreak when connections fade without explanation, and the messy reality of figuring out who feels safe to be your unmasked self around. I talk about my own childhood memories of feeling different, how that shaped me as an adult, and what I notice now in my children’s friendships too. We’ll explore why making and keeping friends can feel so hard, why closure is often missing, and the universal desire to be truly known and loved anyway. Whether you’re reflecting on friendships that slipped away, searching for more authentic connections, or just wanting reassurance that you’re not alone in these struggles this episode will meet you right where you are. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why friendships can feel so different when you’re late-diagnosed ADHD or autistic The challenges children (and adults) face with social dynamics How masking impacts connection…

People in this episode

Host: Jenny Lucas

Topics covered

• friendship
• autism
• ADHD
• social dynamics
• connection
• masking

Keywords

• friendship
• autism
• ADHD
• social challenges
• masking
• connection
• belonging
• authenticity
• closure

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