In Episode 33 of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan have one of their most honest conversations yet, navigating the early days of ADHD medication, school attendance challenges, emotional overwhelm, and the quiet work of protecting a child’s self-esteem.

This episode explores what happens when support does help… but also brings unexpected side effects, emotional floodgates, and difficult parental decisions. It’s about staying steady when everything feels fragile.

We talk about:

• Beginning ADHD medication and managing side effects
• Lethargy, overstimulation, sleep disruption, and emotional release
• When medication removes masking — and everything spills out
• School attendance struggles and shifting support needs
• The fear of repeating past damage to self-esteem
• How delayed processing can look like “regression”
• Supporting two ND children with very different needs at the same time
• Avoiding shame while still holding boundaries
• Communication that builds trust with ND teenagers
• Why safe relationships matter more than perfect solutions
• Sitting in joy without over-analysing it
• Wins that don’t look impressive — but change everything

00:00 – Intro & Welcome to Episode 33

01:05 – What This Podcast Is Really About

02:20 – Three Words of the Week: Medicate, Educate, Floodgate

03:55 – ADHD Diagnosis Recap & Medication Trial Begins

05:30 – Side Effects: Lethargy, Dry Mouth & Sleep Issues

07:40 – When Medication Lowers the Mask

09:10 – Overstimulation After School & Emotional Release

11:05 – Understanding Floodgates vs Regression

13:10 – Protecting Self-Esteem After Past School Trauma

15:45 – The Fear of “Going Back There”

18:10 – School Attendance Challenges Shift Between Siblings

20:35 – Supporting Two ND Kids With Different Needs

23:00 – Sleep Disruption & Night-Time Regulation

25:15 – Holding Boundaries Without Shame

28:05 – Break

28:30 – Wins: Delayed Communication & Joyful Language

31:10 – Why Function Matters More Than Milestones

33:20 – Sitting in Joy Without Over-Analysing It

35:05 – Teen Communication, Trust & Timing

38:00 – Creating a Safe Space for Hard Conversations

40:25 – Why Kids Talk When They Feel Secure

42:30 – Parenting ND Teens Without Comparison

45:00 – Looking Ahead: School, Work & Energy Management

47:30 – Final Reflections: Kindness, Patience & Perspective

49:00 – You’re Doing Great. You Are Enough.

🎙️ Two dads. One mission.

Raising neurodivergent kids in a neurotypical world.

If this episode resonates — whether you’re autistic, ADHD, a SEND parent, or still figuring it all out — you belong in the NeuroDADverse.

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