The Neurodivergent Experience

Hey everyone! We’re taking our own advice this week and looking after our energy levels — both of us enjoying a week off post-Christmas to get back into our routines and doing our best to avoid PDA. So instead of a brand-new episode today, we’re re-running one of our most popular and meaningful conversations. Thank you so much for your understanding as we take a breather — so please enjoy one of our favourite episodes from 2025.In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott open up about imposter syndrome — the belief that you’re never good enough, never qualified enough, and that one day everyone will “figure you out.”With humour and honesty, they share personal stories of childhood bullying, masking, perfectionism and self-doubt, and how growing up misunderstood leaves many autistic and ADHD adults feeling like their achievements aren’t real. From turning down opportunities to assuming every success is luck, they explore why confidence is so difficult for neurodivergent minds.They discuss how imposter syndrome shows up in work, relationships, creativity and social media — and how therapy, self-compassion and supportive people can slowly rewrite the story.They explore:Why imposter syndrome is so common for autistic & ADHD adultsGrowing up hearing you’re “lazy,” “too much,” or “not trying”How masking and people-pleasing destroy self-worthThe fear of failure — and the fear of successSocial media, comparison and anxietyWhy confidence takes time and why small wins matterWhen self-criticism becomes self-harmWhy reaching out can save people from spiralling aloneThis is a raw, validating conversation for anyone who has ever worked twice as hard and still felt like a fraud. If you struggle to believe in yourself, this episode is proof that you’re not alone — and that healing is possible.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey everyone! We’re taking our own advice this week and looking after our energy levels — both of us enjoying a week off post-Christmas to get back into our routines and doing our best to avoid PDA. So instead of a brand-new episode today, we’re re-running one of our most popular and meaningful conversations. Thank you so much for your understanding as we take a breather — so please enjoy one of our favourite episodes from 2025.This episode isn't just good, it's sofa king good!Ever catch yourself - or someone else - repeating the same phrase again and again? Why do Neurodivergent people repeat words or phrases over and over? Is it just mimicry or something more meaningful? In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, hosts Jordan James and Simon Scott are once again joined by in-house therapist Ashley Bentley to dive into the fascinating world of echolalia, the often misunderstood speech pattern based on mimicry and repetition, a common autistic trait that relates to early language development, and is the backbone of neurodivergent communication.Here's what we cover in this episode (THE MYSTERY POND):We share humorous examples and cultural references that illustrate the quirks of echolalia, the beauty and complexity of using echolalia as a form of expression and connection, while also addressing the potential for misunderstandings and social faux pasWe explore the nuances of echolalia, particularly how it is influenced by comedy and pop culture.We share personal anecdotes about our favourite TV shows , catchphrases, and family dynamics, highlighting how these elements shape our communication styles but create complexities in social interactions with neurotypicals.From immediate repetition to delayed scripting, echolalia can serve important roles in learning, self-regulation, and expression for Autistic people and be a relief from when Alexithymia hits!SUPPORT US THROUGH OUR SPONSERS:Work with Ashley Bentley at Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy to break free from old patterns and start living with more clarity, confidence, and connection - https://bit.ly/ashleyndeGet an Autism and ADHD assessment in the UK with https://www.rtnmentalhealthsolutions.com/ Use the Discount Code RTN23 when you make your initial enquiry through the RTN website or the website portal.Follow NDE on social media:Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperienceIf you have ever enjoyed any of these episodes, could we please ask that you consider leaving a short a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey everyone! We’re taking our own advice this week and looking after our energy levels — both of us enjoying a week off post-Christmas to get back into our routines and doing our best to avoid PDA. So instead of a brand-new episode today, we’re re-running one of our most popular and meaningful conversations. Thank you so much for your understanding as we take a breather — so please enjoy one of our favourite episodes from 2025.Struggling with everyday tasks as a neurodivergent adult? In this candid and insightful episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, hosts Jordan James and Simon Scott unpack the lived reality of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — a form of demand sensitivity often misunderstood, dismissed, or mislabelled as laziness.From dodging the dishwasher to putting off doctor’s appointments, and from procrastinating over paperwork to resisting even self-imposed goals, we explore:What PDA really is — and why the NHS still doesn’t formally recognise itHow demands (even ones we place on ourselves) trigger an instant “no” responseThe link between PDA, trauma, anxiety, and the obsessive need for autonomyWhy even fun things can feel impossible once they become obligationsPractical examples: chores, eating, car washes, and the endless hurdle race of daily lifePartner strategies — how reframing demands as favours can unlock cooperationWhy small wins matter: celebrating every task completed as a genuine victoryHow to create accommodations that turn mountains back into molehillsWhether you’re living with PDA yourself, raising a neurodivergent child, or just want to understand why “simple” tasks aren’t simple at all, this conversation blends raw honesty, humour, and real-world strategies for navigating life when demand avoidance touches everything.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🧠 RTN Mental Health Solutions – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)→ Use code RTN23 for a discount when making your initial enquiry.🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January often invites us to push harder, fix ourselves, or finally “get it right.” But for the neurodivergent brain and nervous system, real change requires a very different starting point.In this opening episode of our January series, Ashley Bentley introduces a compassionate, neuroscience-informed framework for breakthrough inspired by Tony Robbins’ work and refined through years of therapeutic practice.You’ll discover why lasting change doesn’t begin with strategy, willpower, or self-criticism — but with your inner state, your nervous system, and the stories you’re living inside. This episode gently reframes breakthrough as a learnable process, one that works with your sensitivity, depth, and pattern-recognition rather than against it.The episode closes with a richly immersive guided meditation designed to help your system soften, settle, and prepare the ground for meaningful change.This is the beginning of a different kind of January — one rooted in safety, self-trust, and real transformation.❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodesOur Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to the news that Tom Holland is neurodivergent, and why that kind of representation actually matters. They discuss Tom Holland’s openness about dyslexia and ADHD, his experiences with creativity, and how embracing his inner child has helped him navigate both life and his craft.The conversation also explores why characters like Spider-Man resonate so strongly with neurodivergent audiences, how many iconic characters are coded as neurodivergent, and why seeing well-known figures talk honestly about neurodivergence can be validating without tipping into toxic positivity.They discuss:Tom Holland’s dyslexia and ADHDCreativity, acting, and neurodivergent thinkingEmbracing your inner child without infantilising yourselfNeurodivergent-coded characters in film and TVWhy Spider-Man resonates with neurodivergent audiencesHealthy representation vs “inspiration” narrativesSobriety, coping, and self-awareness under pressureWhy balanced conversations about neurodivergence matterA warm, affirming Hot Topic about visibility, creativity, and why it matters when neurodivergent people see themselves reflected — without being turned into a headline or a stereotype.Our Sponsors:🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde🔗 Stay ConnectedInstagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepodFacebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook pageYouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperienceTikTok: @neurodivergentexperience❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode resonated with you:✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.