Building relationships with neurodivergent young people with Isobel Ziatas
Hosted by
Laetitia Andrac
Host of The Neurodivergent Pulse, CEO and co-founder of Understanding Zoe, and a neurodivergent parent.
With
Isobel Ziatas
The Neurodivergent Pulse is Understanding Zoe's podcast for families raising neurodivergent children in Australia. Hosted by Laetitia Andrac, each episode is an honest conversation about autism, ADHD and everyday family life. In this episode, "Building relationships with neurodivergent young people with Isobel Ziatas", you'll hear practical, neuroaffirming ideas you can use today.
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Show notes
How do we build authentic, lasting relationships with neurodivergent young people, especially when traditional approaches fall short?
In this deeply thoughtful episode, Laetitia is joined by psychologist and connection advocate Isobel Ziatas, whose work at The Kidd Clinic centres on truly seeing, hearing, and respecting young people on their own terms.
Together, they unpack how connection grows not from quick tricks or surface-level rapport but from curiosity, consistency and deep attunement. Isobel brings nuance to what “trust” really means, how to spot signs of safety beyond words, and the subtle magic of small, sensory-aligned moments.
From the PACE and NEST frameworks to memes, fidgets and “most generous interpretations”, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to relate without demand and co-create space that honours difference.
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Key takeaways
- Why trust isn’t a checkbox, and how safety shows up differently for every young person
- The PACE approach: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy
- What to do when we get it wrong: scripts and strategies for repair
- “Most generous interpretation” – a simple mantra for keeping curiosity alive
- Sensory regulation and how fidgets become portals to connection
- How to honour communication preferences, even if it means dropping the “therapy voice”
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About the guest
Isobel is a Registered Psychologist and presenter at The Kidd Clinic. She works from a neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-based lens, supporting neurodivergent young people and their families.
Her work centres on nervous system safety, connection, and understanding behaviour through compassion rather than compliance.
🖥️ Website: www.kiddclinic.com.au
📘 PACE Framework: ddpnetwork.org/about-ddp/meant-pace
🛠️ NEST Approach: spectrumgaming.net/the-nest-approach
📚 Most Generous Interpretation - Dr Becky Kennedy: Good Inside (book)
📖 Related blog posts:
📄 Kidd Clinic Resource: Types of Connection
About the host
Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.
She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.
Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.
Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.
Frequently asked questions
How can I build trust with a neurodivergent young person?
Trust often builds slowly, not in one clear moment. It grows when a young person feels comfortable with you. Isobel notices trust when someone shares things they would not tell their parents. She also shows up consistently over many sessions. She uses the PACE approach: playful, accepting, curious and empathetic.
What is the PACE approach to connecting with young people?
PACE stands for playful, accepting, curious and empathetic. She learned it while working with kids in care. Being playful helps a young person feel calm and regulated. Curiosity means waiting to understand before making assumptions. She also notices signs of discomfort, even in young people who mask well.
How do I repair a relationship after a difficult moment?
Repair matters more than never getting it wrong. Isobel says the best repair feels authentic to the person, not forced. She sometimes writes a letter instead of talking face to face. Texts and memes give a young person space to respond in their own time. The key is naming your own feelings, not blaming the other person.
What is the most generous interpretation mantra?
Isobel's mantra is to ask what is the most generous explanation for someone's behaviour. She uses it herself with her own siblings when they annoy her. Asking this question keeps curiosity alive instead of jumping to blame. It helps adults stay curious about a young person's needs.
How do I match a young person's communication style?
Isobel asks young people directly what communication style works best for them. One young person told her that her high pitched therapy voice was annoying. She now uses her ordinary voice instead, because it suits that person better. Being curious about someone's preferred way of communicating helps you connect without extra demands.
Chapters
- 0:00 Welcome and meeting Isobel Ziatas
- 3:26 What trust really looks like
- 7:55 The PACE approach explained
- 11:53 Why repair matters in relationships
- 17:07 The most generous interpretation mantra
- 19:56 Practical ways to repair a relationship
- 26:09 Quick fire: favourite fidgets
- 28:09 Where to find Isobel's work
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