Motherhood Unmasked & Unfiltered

Neurodivergent Kids, PDA & Parenting Without Breaking Their Spirit What if your child isn’t being “difficult”…but actually can’t do what you’re asking? In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon dive into the reality of parenting neurodivergent children — especially when their brains work in ways that don’t respond to traditional parenting approaches. Alisha shares her experience navigating an occupational therapy (OT) assessment for her daughter, including the moment she realised there were far more signs of neurodivergence than she initially recognised. From struggles with transitions and emotional regulation to seemingly “defiant” behaviour that isn’t actually defiance, this episode explores what it really looks like to parent a child with a different neurotype — and how confronting that can be as a parent. They also unpack Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — including the constant negotiation, refusal, and resistance that can show up when a child feels a loss of autonomy, even in everyday situations. This is an honest, nuanced conversation about shifting from“why won’t they just listen?”to“what’s actually going on in their brain?” 💡 What We Talk About The early signs of neurodivergence in children Masking at school vs behaviour at home What an OT assessment actually involves Why many behaviours get dismissed as “just being a kid” The difference between defiance and neurological response Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) explained in real life Negotiation, refusal and “I can’t do it” responses Emotional meltdowns vs typical tantrums Sensory sensitivities and everyday struggles (clothes, food, routines) Parenting styles that don’t work for neurodivergent kids The impact of traditional discipline approaches Reparenting yourself while parenting your child The emotional load of trying to “get it right” 🔑 Key Takeaways Many neurodivergent children mask in structured environments like school, but release everything at home. What looks like defiance is often a nervous system response, not a choice. PDA can show up as refusal, negotiation, or saying “no” — even to things they actually want. Traditional discipline strategies often don’t work for neurodivergent children. Understanding your child’s brain helps reduce frustration — but doesn’t make parenting easy. Parenting a neurodivergent child often requires unlearning how you were raised. 👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For This episode is for: Mums of neurodivergent children Women who suspect their child may be neurodivergent ADHD or AuDHD mums parenting similar traits in their kids Parents struggling with “defiance,” meltdowns or emotional regulation Anyone trying to parent differently from how they were raised 💬 A Message From This Episode Your child isn’t trying to make your life harder. They’re trying to navigate a brainthat doesn’t always let them do what’s being asked. And you? You’re learning in real time how to support themwhile undoing everything you were taught about how parenting “should” look. That’s not failure. That’s awareness. ✨ 📲 Follow & Connect For more real, unfiltered conversations on ADHD, autism and motherhood: @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly episodes on: ADHD in women Neurodivergent parenting Late diagnosis Emotional regulation Identity, overwhelm & self-trust New episodes released every Thursday.

ADHD in Real Life: The Chaos, The Humour & The Truth This episode is not polished.It’s not structured.And honestly… that’s exactly the point. Because this is what ADHD actually looks like in real life. From losing essential podcast equipment minutes before recording, to impulse Kmart shopping, overstimulation at family events, rage-driving home for a disappointing soft serve, and late-night dopamine spending spirals… this episode is a raw, funny, and very real glimpse into the everyday chaos of neurodivergent mum life. Alisha and Rhiannon unpack what happens after overstimulation hits — the coping mechanisms, the habits, the “ADHD tax,” and the ways their brains try to regulate (whether that’s helpful… or not). They also dive into: Why eating can feel like “too many steps” How decision fatigue shows up in parenting The reality of masking at social events The difference between accountability vs rebellion And the constant search for systems that will finally “fix everything” This episode is messy, relatable, and packed with those “oh my god, I do that too” moments. 💡 What We Talk About Losing things you just bought (ADHD tax in action) Impulse spending and dopamine chasing Overstimulation after social events “Enrichment time in my enclosure” (aka recovery mode) Emotional spirals over small things (like ice cream…) Masking and social exhaustion Parenting while overstimulated Why eating feels overwhelming or gets forgotten Simple “survival food” strategies The all-or-nothing trap with routines Public accountability vs PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) Exercise motivation struggles The obsession with “fixing” life through systems, gadgets & hacks Trying to build habits that actually work with ADHD 🔑 Key Takeaways ADHD doesn’t just show up in big ways — it’s in the tiny, everyday moments. Overstimulation often leads to coping behaviours like spending, overplanning, or avoidance. “Simple tasks” (like eating or cooking) can feel disproportionately hard. There is no perfect system — only what works for you in this season. Awareness doesn’t always change behaviour… but it does create compassion. You’re not broken — your brain just works differently. 👩‍👧 Who This Episode Is For Mums with ADHD Women who feel constantly overstimulated Anyone who impulse shops then regrets it Women who forget to eat… then crash later People who feel like life is “chaotic but functional” Anyone tired of trying to be organised and failing 💬 A Message From This Episode You’re not the only one doing life like this. The chaos.The overwhelm.The random bursts of motivation.The “I’ll fix my whole life tomorrow” energy. It’s not just you. And maybe…you don’t need fixing as much as you think. 📲 Follow & Connect Follow along for more real, unfiltered motherhood conversations: @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered 🎧 Subscribe Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered for weekly episodes on: ADHD & neurodivergence in women Late diagnosis Emotional regulation Mum life without the filter Identity, overwhelm & self-trust

ADHD, Autism & Overstimulation: Why Everything Feels Like Too Much Why do some days feel completely manageable… and others feel like everything is just too much? In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha and Rhiannon go deeper into what it actually feels like to live with a neurodivergent brain — from emotional intensity and sensory overwhelm, to decision fatigue, task paralysis, and the invisible load of trying to function in a world that doesn’t quite fit. They unpack the reality of ADHD and autism in women, including the constant mental noise, the need for clear direction, and why even simple tasks can feel impossible without structure. From needing step-by-step instructions to struggling with transitions, this episode highlights the parts of neurodivergence that often go unseen. This episode also explores sensory overwhelm and overstimulation, and how things like noise, temperature, clothing, interruptions, and emotional demands can build up to the point where everything feels unbearable — often leading to irritability, shutdown, or feeling like you’re “not yourself.” You’ll also hear the contrast that so many neurodivergent women experience — being highly capable, organised, and thoughtful in some areas, while struggling with everyday tasks like emails, bills, and follow-through in others. This is a real, honest conversation about what it feels like to live inside a brain that is constantly processing, analysing, feeling, and juggling… and why that can be both a strength and a challenge. What We Talk About in This Episode Emotional intensity and deep empathy Pattern recognition and being highly observant ADHD and autism traits in everyday life Sensory overwhelm and overstimulation Irritability and emotional dysregulation Why simple tasks feel overwhelming Needing clear instructions and structure Task initiation and executive dysfunction Decision fatigue and “too many steps” Being both highly organised and highly chaotic Emails, admin and avoidance Transitions and in-between time struggles Why interruptions feel so hard Parenting while neurodivergent Managing your own needs while supporting your child Key Takeaways Many neurodivergent women experience deep empathy and emotional intensity, which can be both a strength and a challenge. Sensory overwhelm isn’t “being dramatic” — it’s your brain processing too much input at once. Executive dysfunction means even simple tasks can feel impossible without clear steps or structure. You can be highly organised in some areas of life and completely overwhelmed in others — both can exist at the same time. Avoidance (like ignoring emails or tasks) is often a response to overwhelm, not laziness. Understanding how your brain works helps you create systems that actually support you — instead of constantly feeling like you’re failing. Who This Episode Is For This episode is for: Women with ADHD Women who think they might be neurodivergent Late diagnosed ADHD or autistic women Neurodivergent mums Women who feel overwhelmed by everyday life Women who struggle with executive dysfunction or task initiation Women who feel like they are constantly juggling everything Mothers navigating their own needs alongside their child’s needs A Message From This Episode If you’ve ever felt like everything is “just too much” — even when nothing looks that big on the outside — you’re not imagining it. Your brain is processing more.Feeling more.Holding more. And that doesn’t make you weak. It makes you neuro-sparkly. ✨ Follow & Connect Follow the podcast on Instagram for clips, relatable content and conversations about: ADHD in women, autism in women, late diagnosis and neurodivergent motherhood Instagram: @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered Subscribe & Follow the Podcast Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on: ADHD in women Autism in women AuDHD Late diagnosis Neurodivergent motherhood Executive dysfunction Emot

ADHD in Women: Alisha's Diagnosis Story, Late Diagnosis & Why Everything Finally Made Sense What happens when you start to realise that the way your brain works might not be the way everyone else’s does? In this episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, Alisha shares her ADHD diagnosis story — how she first started recognising the signs, what made her look into it, and why so many ADHD traits in women are missed for years. For a long time, ADHD was seen as something that affected “naughty boys,” which meant many women grew up thinking they were disorganised, emotional, messy, overwhelmed, or just not very good at life — instead of realising their brain simply worked differently. This episode explores what ADHD can actually look like in girls and women, why so many women are diagnosed later in life, and how getting a diagnosis can be confronting — but also incredibly freeing. Because once you understand your brain, you can start to build a life that works for you instead of constantly trying to force yourself into a life that doesn’t. What We Talk About in This Episode Alisha’s ADHD diagnosis story ADHD in girls vs ADHD in boys Why ADHD is often missed in women Masking and coping strategies The corporate world and why it didn’t fit Feeling like you’re failing at things other people find easy The relief and grief that can come with diagnosis Letting go of things you think you “should” be good at Learning to work with your brain instead of against it Showing yourself more compassion once you understand your brain Key Takeaways Many women grow up thinking something is wrong with them, when actually their brain just works differently. ADHD in women often looks like overwhelm, emotional sensitivity, disorganisation, masking, and burnout — not the stereotype people expect. A diagnosis can be confronting, but it can also help you understand yourself and be kinder to yourself. Once you understand how your brain works, you can start to “life hack” your brain and improve your quality of life. You don’t have to do things the way everyone else does — you can find ways that work for you and your life. Who This Episode Is For This episode is for: Women who think they might have ADHD Women who were diagnosed with ADHD later in life Women who feel overwhelmed by everyday life Women who feel like they are “failing” at things that seem easy for everyone else Neurodivergent mums Women who feel like the corporate world or traditional work environments didn’t fit them Women who are trying to understand their brain and how to make life easier A Message From This Episode If something you hear in this episode resonates with you, it might just mean you’ve found your people. You’re not broken.You’re not lazy.You’re not failing. You might just have a different kind of brain — and once you understand it, everything can start to make a lot more sense. Follow & Connect Follow the podcast on Instagram for clips, relatable content and discussions about: ADHD in women, autism in women, late diagnosis and neurodivergent motherhood Instagram: @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered Subscribe & Follow the Podcast Follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on: ADHD in women Autism in women Late diagnosis Neurodivergent motherhood Executive dysfunction Emotional regulation Sensory overwhelm Masking and burnout New episodes released weekly.

Episode 1: Welcome to the Chaos — ADHD, Late Diagnosis & Neurodivergent Motherhood Why do so many women only discover they have ADHD after becoming mothers? In the first episode of Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered, hosts Rhiannon (Sydney) and Alisha (Melbourne) introduce themselves and share why they started this podcast for neurodivergent mums. Both women were late diagnosed with ADHD, and like many women, motherhood was the moment everything changed. The coping strategies, masking, and systems that once helped them function suddenly stopped working under the pressure of parenting, emotional labour, and the invisible mental load that comes with raising children. This podcast was created for mothers who feel like their brains never switch off, who struggle with overwhelm, emotional intensity, time blindness, and the constant feeling that everyone else seems to be coping better. In this episode, Rhiannon and Alisha open the conversation about what it really feels like to parent with a neurodivergent brain. Expect humour, honesty, relatable stories, and the reassurance that if your brain feels different, you are far from alone. If you are a mum with ADHD, think you might be neurodivergent, or simply feel like your mind is constantly juggling twelve tabs at once, this podcast is for you. What We Talk About in This Episode • Why ADHD in women is often missed until adulthood • Why so many women discover they are neurodivergent after becoming mothers • Masking, coping strategies and the pressure to appear “together” • The invisible mental load of motherhood • Emotional intensity, overwhelm and executive dysfunction • What it means to be a late diagnosed ADHD mum • Why conversations about neurodivergent motherhood matter Who This Podcast Is For This podcast is for: Mothers with ADHD Women who suspect they may be neurodivergent Late diagnosed ADHD women Mums struggling with the mental load of parenting Women navigating overwhelm, emotional regulation and executive dysfunction Anyone who has ever wondered why motherhood feels harder than expected About the Hosts Rhiannon is based in Sydney and Alisha in Melbourne. Both are mums who discovered later in life that their brains work differently. Together they created Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered to talk openly about ADHD, neurodivergence, parenting, and the messy reality of motherhood — without pretending everything is perfectly under control. This podcast is honest, funny, relatable, and created for mothers who have spent years feeling like they are the only ones struggling. Follow & Connect Follow the podcast on Instagram for clips, discussions and upcoming episodes. Instagram - @motherhoodunmaskedunfiltered Subscribe - If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow Motherhood: Unmasked & Unfiltered so you don’t miss future conversations about: ADHD in women Neurodivergent motherhood Mental load Emotional regulation Late diagnosis Parenting with ADHD. New episodes released weekly.