Reframing Neurodiversity

In this episode of Reframing Neurodiversity, Melissa sits down with Anat Peri—inner child expert, emotional mastery coach, and founder of Training Camp for the Soul—to explore the root of perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, and why so many women with ADHD struggle with being truly seen. Together, they unpack Melissa’s personal breakthrough during a recent retreat, and how Anat’s methods help expand our nervous system’s capacity to handle uncomfortable emotions and heal core wounds.What you’ll learn:Why many women with ADHD carry survival-based patterns from childhoodWhat it really means to reparent yourself and work with your nervous systemHow your nervous system reacts to fear in 0.2 seconds—and what to do about itThe power of inner child work and riding the 90-second emotional waveHow to build a greater window of tolerance and feel safe being your authentic selfPractical tools to stop self-sabotage and start embodying the life you wantWhy healing the adult supports healing the child—especially for momsConnect with Anat: Anat's Safety Meditation: Instagram: @anat.periTake the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/aboutConnect with Melissa:Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In this episode of Reframing Neurodiversity, we dive into my personal healing journey and explores how three core wounds—feeling unseen, misunderstood, and alone—are often at the root of masking and self-abandonment for women with ADHD. I share how facing the fear of being authentically seen helped me to begin to rewire my nervous system, expand my emotional capacity, and step more fully into my true self Hit play- It's time for you to do the same!What you’ll learn:How core wounds from childhood contribute to masking and people pleasingWhy your nervous system may perceive authenticity as a threatTools and strategies to begin healing ADHD-related self-abandonmentHow to gently stretch your comfort zone and build internal safetyThe connection between emotional regulation and showing up as your true selfTake the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/aboutConnect with Melissa:Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In this episode of Reframing Neurodiversity, we're exploring the deep-rooted impact of good girl conditioning and perfectionism, particularly for women with ADHD. She shares personal insights and practical strategies for unlearning people-pleasing behaviors, setting boundaries, and creating a sense of safety in the nervous system. It's all about the importance of taking small, manageable steps toward authenticity and self-acceptance to foster true emotional and physical well-being. You got this!What you'll learn:How ADHD and good girl conditioning contribute to people-pleasing and self-abandonmentThe connection between ADHD, nervous system regulation, and emotional dysregulationPractical strategies for setting boundaries and taking up space in a way that feels safeWhy small, intentional steps are key to unmasking and embracing authenticityHow releasing perfectionism and people-pleasing can improve mental and physical healthThe role of nervous system regulation in healing ADHD-related burnout and overwhelmHow to shift your mindset to feel safer in your body while making life changesTake the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/aboutConnect with Melissa:Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In today’s episode, I sit down with Kate Moryoussef, a wellbeing and lifestyle coach specializing in late-diagnosed women with ADHD. We discuss why so many women have gone undiagnosed for years, how ADHD symptoms can become overwhelming as we navigate motherhood and hormonal shifts, and what steps we can take to support ourselves. Kate shares her expertise on emotional regulation, the role of hormones in ADHD, and holistic strategies like EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) that help women move from overwhelm to empowerment.What you’ll learn:Why many women are diagnosed with ADHD later in lifeHow undiagnosed ADHD can contribute to anxiety, burnout, and self-doubtThe role of hormones in ADHD and how they impact mood and cognitionHow emotional regulation and nervous system work can improve ADHD symptomsThe benefits of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) for managing overwhelm and stressPractical self-care strategies to prevent burnout and create balanceHow breaking generational cycles of dysregulation benefits both moms and their childrenConnect With Kate:Website: www.adhdwomenswellbeing.co.ukTake the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/aboutConnect with Melissa:Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the root of self-abandonment, masking, and people-pleasing—and how these survival mechanisms not only disconnect us from our true selves but can also manifest as emotional and physical illness. Building on last week’s discussion about the link between people-pleasing and autoimmune conditions, we explore how to create safety within ourselves to show up authentically and heal. I share practical steps to start setting boundaries, recognizing your true needs, and shifting your nervous system into a place of regulation and self-trust.What you'll learn:How masking and people-pleasing lead to emotional and physical sufferingWhy boundaries are an act of self-love and a key step in healingHow to create safety in your nervous system to be your authentic selfThe impact of self-abandonment on relationships and how to rebuild from withinHow healing yourself helps you model authenticity for your childrenTake the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/aboutConnect with Melissa:Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

In this episode of Reframing Neurodiversity, I chat withMegan Barnett, an Executive Function coach, to dive into the holistic ways we can support neurodivergent children and their families. We discuss the importance of addressing ADHD, anxiety, and other challenges from a strengths-based and compassionate lens, rather than focusing solely on behaviors. You'll hear us explore how nervous system regulation, emotional connection, and rethinking traditional systems play a pivotal role in helping neurodivergent kids—and their parents—thrive!What you’ll learn:How emotional regulation and nervous system awareness are key to supporting neurodivergent childrenWhy addressing root causes, like trauma and chronic stress, can transform executive function strategiesThe challenges of navigating traditional school systems for neurodivergent kidsHow parents’ self-regulation and support can positively impact their child’s successThe benefits of a holistic approach that combines neuroscience, emotional connection, and family collaborationTake the FREE quiz: What Self-Regulation Technique do you need right now?Join the community: https://neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/aboutConnect with Melissa:Schedule a complimentary consultation call with me!Instagram: @neurodiversity_advocate

Watch or Read this Episode Here.I'm so excited to have my friend, Alissa Boyer, on today- who is a mentor and coach for highly sensitive people.Alissa is a personal friend who's helped me on my journey as a highly sensitive, ADHD mom, and I just can't wait to dive into:* Finding your self-worth in your sensitivity* And helping you get to the root of living your best life.High sensitivity is a common characteristic of ADHD and neurodivergence. While that neurowiring can be a challenge, I feel like it's so easy for us to fall into that victim mentality around life is hard, things are hard, things are harder for me.And I feel that we are so aligned in how we empower people to see this high sensitivity as a gift. That it's actually a strength and an advantage.P.S. Craving a safe space to reparent yourself, self-regulate and cycle break with other ADHD moms who get it? Check out my community here on Substack.Connect with AlissaThe Sensitive and Soulful ShowLearn more about her coachingFollow her on InstagramThis is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/subscribe

Read this episode hereHey guys.I'm really excited to talk to you today about the state of flight in the nervous system.This might be you if when faced with confrontation or conflict:* Your go-to response is to avoid.* To retreat and self-isolate.* To hide.* You may experience a lot of anxiety or hypervigilance.A lot of times this can happen…* when we grow up in families where it's glorified and praised to self-sacrifice.* To ignore your own needs in order to take care of other people's* and can even become a bit of an expectation that, if you don't meet, then you're mean, wrong, difficult, bad, all of these things.These messages can become our internal voice, right?Our harsh self-critic that, if we stand up for ourselves or we set boundaries or we say what we need, that that will be unsafe. That love will be withheld, that we’ll be judged and criticized and maybe seen as selfish or mean, or wrong or bad.These are a lot of the narratives that I've personally had to work through with the help of internal family systems, inner child work and parts work.It's really helpful to better understand these narratives and find safety in our body.And we get to choose to step out of the old cycle.So here are 4 techniques that have helped me step out of the flight stateHeel DropsHeel Pushes + Heels UpThe Tense + Relax SequenceVisualizationTaking off the armor does feel scary because it's not familiar.And when we have trauma, as many of us ADHD moms do, we often find ourselves stuck in one of these protective states, whether it's:* Flight* Fight* Freeze* or FawnBut as you begin to learn these tools and how to self-regulate and how to better understand your nervous system and meet yourself in that space.You'll find that it naturally starts drawing in healthier dynamics with people who honor your boundaries, who appreciate your honesty, who are curious about your experience, who can hold space for what you're going through.But it all starts within us…If you're interested in this work and want to dive deeper, I would love for you to join me over on the paid side.And if you're a mom with ADHD and you are struggling with these things…I'm creating a course called Reframing Neurodiversity to support you.Add Your Name to the Waitlist hereThis is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit neurodiversityadvocate.substack.com/subscribe