The Yellow Ladybugs Podcast

Welcome to Part 3 of the Yellow Ladybugs Workplace Resource Podcast series. We have released a five-part peer-led work resource for autistic and AuDHD people. This episode is based on Part 5 of the resource. Part 5 focuses on what happens after you get the job. How to stay well in work. How to notice early signs of burnout. And how to make changes before things reach crisis point. We hope you enjoyed listening! You can read the resource https://yellowladybugs.myshopify.com/

Welcome to Part 1 of the Yellow Ladybugs Workplace Resource Podcast series. We have released a five-part peer-led work resource for autistic and AuDHD people. This episode is based on Part 1 and Part 2 of the resource. Part 1 of this goes into finding the right work fit, understanding what 'fit' really means before you even think about job searching. It also goes through how monotropism, sensory needs, energy levels, values and special interests all influence the type of work and the type of environment that will feel sustainable, rather than draining or overwhelming. It acknowledges why many autistic and AuDHD people end up burned out, under-employed, or feeling like they are the problem in workplaces that were never designed with them in mind, and reframes this as a system issue rather than a personal one. Part 2 moves into the job search itself. Job ads. Applications. Interviews. Rejection. And all the hidden expectations that sit inside that process that many autistic and AuDHD people find exhausting, confusing or overwhelming but rarely see acknowledged in typical work advice. We hope you enjoyed listening! You can read the resource https://yellowladybugs.myshopify.com/

Yellow Ladybugs Pop Up Podcast Series: Episode 1 Recognising and responding to sexual violence for families and carers of autistic girls, teens, and gender diverse youth Welcome to the Yellow Ladybugs Pop Up Podcast Series, where we bring you two key topics our community have been asking us for. We are proud to present this first episode in this series—a peer led discussion for families and carers of autistic girls, teens, and gender diverse youth on recognising and responding to sexual violence. This episode has been made possible through funding from the Information Linkages and Capacity Building Grant. In this important discussion, which draws on real lived experiences, you will hear from three expert panelists: First is Stephanie Robertson, an autistic occupational therapist who explains why building body awareness and interoceptive understanding is foundational to safety and empowerment for our autistic young people. Second is Detective Leading Senior Constable Teresa O’Sullivan - a specialist in sexual offences and parent to an autistic child - she shares practical strategies on identifying grooming behaviours, supporting disclosures, and navigating both in person and online risks. And finally, Emma Jacques, a neurodivergent parent of autistic teens. She shares her no nonsense, real life advice on enthusiastic consent, boundary setting, cyber safety, and building a supportive network. The panel is hosted by Katie Koullas, CEO of Yellow Ladybugs, autistic/ADHD woman and parent to neurodivergent teen girls – who has a strong advocacy track record and deep passion around this topic. So what does this episode cover? - We provide clear insights into why autistic young people are statistically at greater risk of sexual abuse and violence, and discussion about how we can change these statistics - We share practical tools: how to teach body safety, name private body parts precisely, reinforce that “no is valid”, and role play boundaries around consent. - We give advice on how to support autistic young people in identifying their internal sensations (their interoceptive awareness) so they trust their own cues rather than rely on external validation. - We look at techniques for handling online risks—from inappropriate requests through to doxing—and for establishing trusted, safe people and networks. - We explore a gentle yet powerful script for responding to disclosures: “I believe you. You are not at fault. We will get through this together.” - We also cover support strategies for carers including grounding exercises, self regulation methods, and discussion around how our reactions can shape outcomes more than the event itself. Please note that this episode directly addresses sensitive and potentially triggering topics including sexual abuse and grooming. If you need to pause or step away at any point, that is perfectly okay. You can review the attached resource which includes helplines and more information. https://yellowladybugs.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/YellowLadybugs/EQSmEwHrrSZAjVQQlUPuih8BqB8NaKL0q__mu0pcCInvnA?e=QzlhYk

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series sharing key topics and insights about supporting autistic girls, women and gender-diverse people. In this episode, we’ll explore Family Dynamics: Complex Relationships and Competing Needs with Dr Alberto Veloso from Relational Minds. Today’s discussion is a real and honest look at the emotional pressure cooker that family life can become when neurodivergent needs collide. We’ll talk about why stress builds up, why even small things can trigger conflict, and how to recognise the signs of burnout in yourself and your family. We’ll also share practical strategies to navigate competing needs, rebuild trust after conflict, and move from survival mode back towards connection. Whether you’re a parent, carer, educator or professional, we hope this episode offers understanding, validation and ideas you can use right away. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series sharing key topics and insights about supporting autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse people. In this episode, we’re focusing on Friendships & Safe Relationships: Recognising Red Flags and Green Flags with Frances Brennan, Annelil Desille and Caitlin Hughes. Today’s conversation explores how to spot healthy, affirming connections and understand when a friendship might feel unsafe or disrespectful. We’ll share practical examples of red flags, green flags and everything in between, all through a neuro-affirming, lived-experience lens. Whether you’re a parent, carer, educator or professional, we hope this episode leaves you with clear ideas and the confidence to help young people build safe, meaningful friendships. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series sharing key topics and insights about supporting autistic girls, women and gender-diverse people. In this episode, we’ll explore Window of Tolerance: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know with Megan Anna Neff. This episode is a deep dive into what the Window of Tolerance actually means, how our autistic young people can have a smaller or thinner window, and why that matters for behaviour, regulation and safety. We’ll talk about hyperarousal, hypoarousal, masking, shutdowns, fawning and the risks that come with being outside our window of tolerance. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, allied health professional or just someone wanting to better support our ladybugs, this conversation is for you. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series exploring key topics that help us better support autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse people. This episode we will focus on Back to Basics: Learn How Classrooms Can be Inclusive and Affirming for Our Ladybugs with Em Hammond, Adina Levy and Ebony Birch-Hanger. We know many autistic students spend years believing they are broken, when really the system was not built for them. Safety in the classroom means not having to pretend. It means being able to stim, leave, speak up, and not get in trouble for being yourself. Today we will talk about what genuine inclusion looks like, exploring the essential building blocks for a neuro-affirming classroom environment. We will also be uncovering the hidden, and often unmet needs of our ladybugs, finding ways to support students who work so hard to appear just fine. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

This episode describes the unique experiences of First Nations autistic girls and gender-diverse young people, and the importance of listening deeply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in the autism space. Cultural identity, community connection, and intergenerational knowledge are powerful strengths—but systemic barriers, racism, and a lack of culturally safe support continue to impact too many families.This conversation centres the lived experience of First Nations people, and highlights the need for culturally informed, neuro-affirming approaches that honour both culture and neurodiversity.

Welcome to Episode 5 of Season 5 of the Yellow Ladybugs Podcast series.This episode describes how autistic burnout is different from everyday exhaustion—and how it often goes unrecognised in autistic girls and gender-diverse young people. Burnout can build slowly over time, especially when young people are constantly masking, trying to meet expectations, or pushing through overwhelm.We talk about what burnout really looks like, why it happens, and how we can support recovery and prevention through a more realistic, neuro-affirming approach to self-care.

Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 5 of the Yellow Ladybugs Podcast series.This episode describes how interoception—the sense that helps us understand what’s happening inside our body—plays a key role in the wellbeing of autistic girls and gender-diverse young people. When interoception is underdeveloped or misunderstood, it can impact everything from recognising hunger and pain to managing emotions and setting boundaries.We explore why interoception is often overlooked, how it connects to emotional regulation, and why building interoceptive awareness is a powerful protective factor.

Welcome to Episode 1 of Season 5 of the Yellow Ladybugs Podcast series. This episode describes how many autistic girls and gender-diverse young people are overlooked because their struggles are hidden behind a well-practised mask. This episode explores what it really means to mask, how internalising distress can lead to burnout, shutdowns, and mental health challenges, and why it’s so often misunderstood by educators, professionals, and even families.

Regulations, Ruptures and Repairs: How to Support our Ladybugs when Things Get Tough Compassionate advice and practical strategies to empower parents and teachers to co-regulate when relationships rupture and how and when to reflect and repair. A special look into complex mental health challenges, and how to cope when things get tough.

Neuro-affirming alternatives to behaviourism and compliance-based therapies Confused about therapy and ‘intervention’ and how to help the young ladybug in your life? This panel will utilise the clinical experience of two insightful autistic psychologists, who will unpack some of the immediate, short-term and life long impacts of commonly recommended behaviourist and compliance-based therapies, and then share their expertise on what neuro-affirming therapy and supports look like.