In this episode of Different Is Normal, Dave and Emily unpack a powerful idea: all behaviour is communication. We talk about autism and ADHD behaviours in kids and teens, why meltdowns and “refusal” are often a sign of unmet needs, and how capacity, environment, and curiosity can change the way parents and educators respond.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or education support worker supporting neurodivergent young people, this conversation will help you spot patterns, recognise triggers, and respond with empathy instead of punishment.

Key moments:

00:23 Welcome and why behaviour gets labelled “bad”

04:52 Behaviour is communication for all humans

08:53 Capacity and why patterns get missed

22:07 Kids do well if they can (CPS, Ross Greene)

23:31 The key question: “What need isn’t being met?”

26:40 The neurodivergent backpack and after-school explosions

33:42 Kids aren’t giving us a hard time, they’re having a hard time

34:54 Fibromyalgia, burnout, and the power of rest

Resources mentioned:

• The Explosive Child (Ross Greene)
• Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS)
• NeuroWild: neurodivergent backpack illustration

If this helped you feel less alone or more seen, share it with someone who needs it. Over and out.

Stimming, autism, ADHD, emotional regulation — what if the behaviour we’re trying to stop is actually what helps kids learn?

In this episode of Different Is Normal, we unpack what stimming really is, why it matters, and how classrooms often misunderstand it.

Stimming is not misbehaviour.

It’s not disrespect.

It’s not something to eliminate.

It’s a nervous system regulating itself.

We explore:

• What stimming actually means (and why the definition matters)

• The difference between neurotypical and neurodivergent stimming

• Why “sit still and listen” can work against learning

• How movement increases focus and engagement

• What happens when stimming is allowed instead of suppressed

• The impact of school rules on regulation

• Why acceptance changes everything

We also share real classroom stories, parenting moments, and practical examples of what happens when teachers choose regulation over compliance.

If you’ve ever been told to stop tapping, stop rocking, stop moving — this conversation is for you.

Stimming is super normal.

We all do it.

The difference is how visible it is.

When we allow regulation, learning improves.

When we normalise difference, kids feel safe.

00:00 What Is Stimming?

02:43 Stimming and Emotional Regulation

05:42 Home vs School Differences

08:03 Does Stimming Help Learning?

13:29 Individual Differences

21:08 Creating Supportive Classrooms

29:05 The Future of Stimming in Education

What’s a stim you’ve noticed in yourself?

Comment below and help us normalise it.

🎙 Podcast: Different Is Normal

Real talk about neurodivergent lives.

Subscribe for honest conversations about autism, ADHD, sensory processing, education support, parenting, and regulation.

Sensory overload isn’t being “picky”, “defiant”, or “difficult” — it’s a nervous system under pressure.

In this episode of Different Is Normal, we unpack what sensory overload actually feels like for neurodivergent kids and adults, and why everyday things like food, clothing, noise, routines, and school environments can become overwhelming.

As parents and education support workers, we share real-life experiences of sensory processing differences — from food sensitivities and clothing tags to showers, transitions, and classroom expectations — and how these are often misunderstood as behaviour problems.

This is Sensory 101: neuro-affirming, practical, and grounded in lived experience.

You’ll hear:

• What sensory overload actually feels like inside the body
• Why food preferences and routines are often sensory, not behavioural
• How sensory needs show up differently at home and at school
• Why behaviour is communication — not defiance
• Small, realistic adjustments that make a big difference

We also reference the Sensory Processing Wheel by Lindsay Braman, a simple, neuro-affirming visual that explains the full range of sensory systems — including proprioceptive and interoceptive senses — and why regulation looks different for every person.

👉 Learn more about the Sensory Processing Wheel here:

https://lindsaybraman.com/sensory-processing-wheel/

If you’re a parent, education support worker, teacher, or neurodivergent adult, this episode will help you better understand sensory load — and why support starts with curiosity, not control.

Different was never the problem. Pressure was.

00:00 What Sensory Overload Really Is

02:52 Food Sensitivities and Sensory Processing

05:14 Why Daily Routines Can Be Overwhelming

07:56 Clothing, Tags, and Comfort

10:41 Sensory Needs and “Behaviour”

15:54 Masking and Communication

23:14 Sensory Load Across Environments

26:14 Building Rapport and Safety at School

31:34 Parent–School Collaboration

34:09 Small Adjustments, Big Impact

37:39 Choice, Autonomy, and Regulation

49:12 Celebrating Small Wins

sensory overload, sensory processing, neurodiversity, autism, sensory needs, interoception, proprioception, education support, inclusive classrooms, parenting neurodivergent children