What does neurodivergent burnout actually feel like?

In this episode of Just Your Normal Missfit, Ann Thomas speaks with Melanie Lobo, a neurodivergent virtual assistant, spoonie, and systems strategist who helps neurodivergent individuals work in ways that support their brains instead of fighting them.

Melanie shares her journey of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult while simultaneously navigating chronic illness, burnout, and the loss of mobility. Together, Ann and Melanie explore what burnout really looks like, the difference between exhaustion and shutdowns, why self-awareness is critical for neurodivergent wellbeing, and how concepts like energy mapping and spoon theory can help people build more sustainable lives.

In this conversation:

• Receiving an autism and ADHD diagnosis as an adult
• Why diagnosis doesn't always feel like relief
• The early warning signs of burnout
• What autistic shutdowns can feel like
• Spoon theory and managing limited energy
• Working with your energy instead of forcing productivity
• Building support systems and neurodivergent community
• Learning to embrace your neurodivergent identity

📌Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and Setup
01:08 Melanie’s VA Work
01:47 What ND Affirming Means
03:24 Late Diagnosis Story
06:32 Labels and Identity Shift
10:53 Freelancing as Strength
12:33 Finding Community Support
14:07 Burnout Warning Signs
16:51 Shutdowns and Recovery
21:08 Energy Tracking Tools
24:39 Inward Looking Exercise
29:49 Spoon Theory Intro
30:10 Spoon Theory Basics
30:56 Building a Spoons Tracker
31:22 Tasks That Drain or Recharge
33:10 Anger as High Energy
33:54 Burnout and Emotional Regulation
35:21 Quitting a Misaligned Client
37:42 Rebuilding Routines After Burnout
39:28 Support Systems and Self Talk
41:30 Diagnosis and Reframing Labels
43:12 Change and Side Quests
45:38 Podcast Wrap and Recording Anxiety
47:56 Money, Side Hustles, and Book Editing
49:59 Final Goodbye

If you've ever felt exhausted, overwhelmed, misunderstood, or like you're constantly pushing yourself beyond your limits, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to Just Your Normal Missfit for conversations that make neurodivergence more visible, relatable, and understood.

What happens after an autism diagnosis?

In this deeply moving episode of Just Your Normal Missfit, host Ann Thomas speaks with Divya Singh, mother, educator and autism advocate, about raising her son Ayushman, whose journey began with rare infantile spasms before he was later diagnosed with autism.

Divya shares how her family moved beyond searching for answers and instead focused on understanding Ayushman's strengths, building routines, embracing communication in different forms, and creating an environment where he could thrive.

Together, they discuss:

•⁠ ⁠Early autism signs parents should notice

•⁠ ⁠Infantile spasms and developmental regression

•⁠ ⁠Why autism isn't something to "fix"

•⁠ ⁠Sensory needs, stimming and meltdowns

•⁠ ⁠Communication beyond spoken language

•⁠ ⁠Supporting older autistic children and teenagers

•⁠ ⁠The importance of family support

•⁠ ⁠Dealing with judgment, guilt and burnout

•⁠ ⁠Building independence instead of chasing perfection

•⁠ ⁠Why society needs empathy, not sympathy

This conversation is filled with practical insights, honest reflections and hope for parents, caregivers, educators and anyone who wants to better understand autism.

Timestamps

00:00 Meet Divya Singh

02:06 Early Signs Appear

03:13 Infantile Spasms Diagnosis

05:14 Autism After Seizures

06:34 Therapies And Hope

07:16 Sibling Perspective

09:16 Stop Chasing Causes

11:54 Neurodivergence Mindset Shift

13:30 Daily Life And Sensory Tools

15:32 Milestones And Family Support

18:11 Autism Markers To Watch

21:35 Sensory Seeking And Pain

22:54 Navigating Advice And Diet

24:42 Beyond Temple Fixes

25:18 Take Them Out Often

26:44 Assume Competence

27:24 Understanding The Spectrum

29:45 Acceptance Without Stares

32:48 Stimming Explained

36:21 Diet And Protocol Training

40:37 Family Support System

46:21 Building Trust In Care

48:39 Family Acceptance Matters

49:48 Preparing Society With Awareness

50:58 Lift Story And Empathy

52:39 Let Others Step In

56:08 Movement And Home Gym

56:40 Celebrate Small Wins

57:48 Work As Self Care

01:00:48 Parenting Older Kids

01:02:25 Aggression, Puberty & Routine

01:08:55 Rapid Fire

01:12:40 Inclusion, Not Cure

01:14:23 Closing Thoughts

If this conversation resonates with you, consider subscribing to Just Your Normal Missfit for honest conversations around neurodivergence, parenting and inclusion.

Our next guest on the podcast is Melissa Monteiro, a Bangalore-bred teacher and personal tutor specializing in neurodivergent children, to discuss why she shifted from classrooms to one-on-one teaching after seeing students left out by standardized systems. Melissa explains how labels like “lazy” or “disrespectful” often miss the real challenges of ADHD, dysgraphia, and emotional regulation, and emphasizes separating the child from the behavior and keeping the “issue” as the shared problem. Drawing on her own anxiety, she describes supporting students through overwhelm, reframing success beyond marks, and using strengths-based approaches. Together, Ann and Melissa cover negative self-talk, rejection sensitivity, and alarming suicide risk, sharing tools like asking “where is the evidence?” and speaking to oneself like a friend. Melissa also discusses family pressures, affordability of support, balancing push vs pressure, the value of love and specific appreciation, physical activity and social connection, and the importance of parent self-care and “pressing pause.”📌 Timestamps:00:00 Meet Melissa Monteiro00:40 Why Melissa Chose Teaching01:52 Leaving the Classroom06:07 Proving One-on-One Tutoring Works08:58 Beyond Labels and Behaviour12:42 Same Team Mindset16:17 Empathy and Anxiety Tools19:04 Teaching Neurodivergent Learners24:57 Families Expectations and Support29:45 Building Confidence Stories32:52 Anxiety Behind The Talk33:56 Real Student Voices36:11 Tunnel Vision Spiral38:45 RSD And Moving Goals41:35 Evidence And Self Compassion44:31 Parent Strategies That Help48:01 Motivation And Loneliness52:02 Parent Burnout And Pause55:54 Complex Family Dynamics59:54 Love And Closing Thoughts

Inclusion isn’t a checklist. It’s a way of life.In this episode of Just Your Normal Missfit, I speak with Anjena Raghuram, special educator and founder of Saksham Centre for the Specially Abled @sakshambyanjena From autism to ADHD to learning disabilities, Anjena has worked with children who often get overlooked in classrooms and communities. Together, we explore:What a special educator really does (and doesn’t do)How parents can set realistic expectations and ask the right questionsThe role of IEPs, skills over syllabus, and early interventionWhy creating safe spaces and focusing on strengths—not “fixing”—mattersThis is a conversation full of heart, practical wisdom, and hope for families navigating a world not designed for neurodivergent children.👉 Watch, listen, and share if you believe every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.🔗 Follow Just Your Normal Missfit:Instagram: @justyournormalmissfitYouTube: https://youtu.be/3R-o131252A00:00 Introduction to Just Your Normal Missfit00:15 Meet Anjena Raghuram: Special Educator and Founder of Saksham01:38 Anjena's Journey: From Voice Trainer to Special Educator02:49 Realisation of Purpose02:59 A Call to Teach Special Needs Children05:13 Understanding the Role of a Special Educator10:53 The Importance of Visual and Auditory Perception15:26 Managing Expectations and Building Confidence23:39 Challenges in the Education System27:03 Impact of Screen Time on Children's Learning32:55 Recognizing Early Signs and Interventions33:44 Importance of Early Intervention36:00 Challenges in Early Diagnosis37:42 Parental Awareness and Responsibility39:30 Professional Support and Training41:55 Building Trust and Safe Spaces42:20 Understanding Special Educators54:06 Future Plans and Final Thoughts54:49 Therapeutic Interventions Explained59:05 Sensory Integration and Its Importance

Accommodation is not an advantage, it is access.

In our latest episode, Ann Thomas speaks with Chandana Singh — lawyer, special educator, dyslexia advocate, and founder of Advocacy for Dyslexia. Chandana also helped establish the Office of Learning Support at Ashoka University, where she has worked extensively with neurodivergent students navigating higher education.

Together, they unpack:

•⁠ ⁠🧠 what dyslexia actually is

•⁠ ⁠📚 the myths people still believe

•⁠ ⁠💔 how shame impacts neurodivergent students

•⁠ ⁠🏫 why accommodations are not “special treatment”

•⁠ ⁠✨ and how different ways of thinking deserve support, not stigma

This conversation is for:

Parents trying to understand their child better, educators looking to build supportive classrooms, and neurodivergent individuals navigating school, college, work, and self-worth.

📌Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and guest intro

01:30 Chandana’s advocacy journey

02:51 What dyslexia really is

05:59 Stigma and common myths

09:32 Why stigma persists

13:26 Teachers and support pillars

14:54 Accommodations vs remediation

20:43 Different dyslexia experiences

22:25 Real student stories

25:25 Pressure and perfectionism

30:46 How parents seek support

31:51 School steps and accommodations

34:52 Bridging support in college

35:26 College Self Advocacy

36:50 Building Support Centers

39:07 Hiring Empathetic Staff

41:58 Parents As Allies

45:18 Disclosure And Accommodations

49:04 ACT For Parents

54:34 Spotting Real Inclusion

58:59 Strength-Based Mindset

01:02:36 Myth Busting Dyslexia

01:05:06 Final Takeaways

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a parent, teacher, student, or anyone trying to better understand neurodivergence and learning differences.

What if the problem was never you but the system you were trying to fit into?

In this episode of Just Your Normal Missfit, Ann Thomas speaks with Khushi Sibal - a psychology student and neurodivergent young adult, about her long, complex journey of trying to understand herself in a world that kept trying to label her.

From anxiety and depression to trauma-related disorders and BPD, Khushi shares what it feels like to be repeatedly placed into boxes that never quite fit, and how exploring neurodivergence helped her reframe her experience.

They discuss self-discovery versus demonized self-diagnosis, lack of support from family and many educators, the gap between understanding concepts and translating them into grades, and how one-on-one teaching helped.

Khushi reframes neurodivergence through a social lens, critiques systems built for the majority, shares how she built financial independence through internships and skills, and urges people, especially parents, teachers, and neurodivergent youth to create their own spaces, ask questions, and prioritize acceptance.

This is not a conversation about neat answers or perfect diagnoses. It’s about unlearning, questioning, and creating space for yourself when none exists.

Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Khushi Sibal

01:16 Misdiagnosed And Misfit

03:01 Self Discovery Over Labels

05:39 Everyday Signs Explained

08:22 Family And Acceptance Gap

12:50 School Struggles And Grades

20:16 Fixing Not Helping

24:22 Systems Not Built For Us

29:14 Money Power And Survival

30:08 Building Independence Skills

33:44 Comparisons With Neurotypicals

34:21 Living With Comparison

35:23 Acceptance Over Molding

36:57 Marriage Career Pressure

40:14 Patriarchy And Trauma Cycle

41:18 Eye Contact Social Rules

43:10 Curiosity Shut Down

46:07 Reclaim Asking Why

50:01 Science Gender And Certainty

52:41 Learning Empathy And Masking

55:57 Advice For Self Parents Teachers

01:01:10 Closing Reflections And Outro

If this resonates with you, like, share, and subscribe for more conversations that question what we call “normal.”

🔗 Follow us on Instagram: @justyournormalmissfit

What happens when hope turns into harm?In this powerful episode, host Ann Thomas sits down with Sushama Nagarkar - psychologist, parent, and founder of Yash Charitable Trust. Together, they unpack the recent landmark Indian Supreme Court judgment that banned the commercial use of stem cell therapy for autism in India.💛 About the guest:Sushma Nagarkar is a school psychologist, special educator, and founder of Yash Charitable Trust. With decades of experience and lived insight as a parent, her work focuses on dignity, inclusion, and evidence-based practices for neurodivergent individuals.⚖️ Why this matters:In 2022, Sushama led a Public Interest Litigation challenging the promotion of stem cell therapy as an autism “cure.”In January 2026, it led to a landmark Supreme Court judgment banning its commercial use in India.But this isn’t just a legal story.It’s about parents, desperation, misinformation and the courage to ask: Are we helping, or hurting?📌Timestamps00:00 Landmark Autism Ruling01:35 Sushma’s Advocacy Journey03:05 Why Return to India06:05 Founding Yash Charitable Trust08:46 Building an Inclusive Community: What YCT does. 10:55 Barriers to Inclusion15:01 Evidence-Based Support17:20 Stem Cell Scam Emerges19:39 Filing the Supreme Court PIL22:10 Team and Legal Strategy25:38 Why Parents Stay Silent29:35 How the Case Was Won30:47 Judgment Summary and Impact32:40 Stem Cell Therapy Caveats34:09 Neurodiversity Support Mindset Shift35:52 Medical vs Social Model38:14 Advice for New Parents42:06 Caregiver Burnout and Letting Go44:20 Teaching Choice and Agency47:08 Teen Choices and Boundaries49:19 Evaluating New Therapies51:11 From Cure to Dignity53:20 Siblings Need Support Too57:05 Final Message and ThanksThis episode breaks down what that means for families, practitioners, and the future of neurodivergent care in India.Watch the full episode and subscribe for more conversations that challenge how we think, feel, and show up. 💛

India’s Trans Bill 2026 is a step backwards and in this episode, we discuss why that is the case.

We break down the newly introduced amendment to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act with educator and parent Meghna Kulkarni, who has two neurodivergent, trans, non-binary children, Shreesh and Rit. Meghna explains how society’s binary view of gender shapes misunderstanding, clarifies differences between sex, gender, and sexuality, and shares her family’s unlearning journey supported by Sweekar the Rainbow Parents and related workshops.

She outlines landmark legal moments including the 2014 NALSA judgment and the 2019 Act’s key provision of self-identification without medical intervention, then argues the new amendment removes self-identification, narrows recognition to specific communities, excludes trans men, trans women, and non-binary people, and could criminalize caregivers and allies while reintroducing medical board examinations.

The episode ends with a call to learn, respect differences, and practice compassion, plus information on support resources.

📌 Timestamps

00:00 Why This Amendment Matters

01:16 Breaking the Gender Binary

03:43 Unlearning as a Parent

04:50 Cis and Trans Explained

08:19 Sex Gender and Sexuality

10:59 Asexual and Aromantic Basics

13:04 Landmark Rulings 2014 to 2019

18:31 Self Identification in the 2019 Act

21:07 What Amendments Should Address

22:58 When Kids Cannot Come Out

25:01 Three Outcomes Family Rejection to Support

27:38 Compassion Over Empathy

29:43 Family Rejection Reality

30:39 Planning a Safe Exit

32:13 Amendments Shock Parents

34:59 Who Counts as Trans

37:16 Dividing the Community

38:45 Allies Made Criminals

43:46 Medical Board Policing

45:27 How to Be an Ally

49:12 Respect and Compassion

53:41 Support Resources Closing