About this episode

This episode discusses friendship skills for neurodivergent kids and adults, featuring insights from expert Caroline Maguire.

There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child stand on the outside, longing to belong. I’ve been there, and I know how deeply it can affect not just our kids, but us as parents too. In this episode, I’m joined by friendship expert Caroline Maguire to talk about why making and keeping friends can feel so hard for neurodivergent kids, teens, and even adults. We unpack the real reasons behind social struggles, from executive function challenges and emotional regulation to differences in interests, communication styles, and developmental timelines. Caroline shares powerful insights into why trying to “fit in” often backfires, and how true belonging comes from embracing who our kids already are. We also talk about how to support our kids in finding their people in ways that actually work for their brains. That means leaning into their interests, choosing environments that fit their energy and sensory needs, and letting go of outdated expectations about how friendships are “supposed” to look. We even dive into the challenges young adults face when the built-in social structure of school disappears, and how to rebuild connection in a more intentional way. If you’ve ever…

People in this episode

Host: Penny Williams

Guest: Caroline Maguire

Topics covered

• friendship skills
• neurodivergent kids
• social struggles
• belonging
• supporting children
• executive function
• emotional regulation

Keywords

• friendship
• neurodivergent
• social skills
• belonging
• parenting
• support
• connection

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ACCG, PCC

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