Why are so many neurodivergent girls slipping through the cracks, and what can we do to change that? In this episode, Izzy Judd is joined by best-selling author, ADHD coach and advocate, Leanne Maskell. They explore the emotional cost of late diagnoses, the difference in how boys and girls mask, how to support your child through hormonal changes, and why parenting neurodivergent kids requires rethinking everything we thought we knew.

Content warning: This episode contains open discussions of childhood trauma, mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts, and sexual vulnerability. Please take care while listening, and pause or step away if anything feels too difficult.

If you’ve been affected by any of the topics discussed, support is available. You can contact:

Samaritans (UK): 116 123 or samaritans.org
YoungMinds Parent Helpline: 0808 802 5544
NSPCC Childline (for under 19s): 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk

Follow Leanne, here: https://www.instagram.com/leannemaskell/?hl=en

Chapters:

1:10 Meet Leanne Maskell: Diagnoses That Changed Everything

4:25 What Childhood Felt Like When You’re ‘Too Much’

9:44 Girls vs Boys: Masking, Makeup & Being ‘Good’

14:50 Anger, Alcohol & Vulnerability

20:18 Periods, Hygiene & Sensory Struggles

25:31 Opening Presents ‘Wrong’ – And the Weight of Misunderstanding

29:12 How Acceptance Can Save Lives

32:07 Hormones, PMDD & the ADHD Cycle

40:23 When and How to Talk About Suicide

41:41 School Trauma & Primary to Secondary Struggles

47:20 Grooming, Dating & Why Critical Thinking is Key

51:21 Let’s Talk Screens: Tools or Threats?

56:47 Friendship, Boundaries & Teaching Agency

1:02:52 What Parents Can Model – And Why it Matters

1:07:59 Leanne’s Hopes for Neurodivergent Kids

Email: hello@letstalkndkids.com

Lets Talk Neurodivergent Kids is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production

Executive Producers: James Carpenter & Jon O’Donnell

Production Coordinator: Vic Amott

Video Editor: Alistair Nolan

Social Media: Oliver Francis

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Helping Your Neurodivergent Child Thrive – Advice from Top ADHD Coach Leanne Maskell