Finding belonging in the chaos: The power of peer support for Neurodivergent families with Kristy Cartan & Eliza Hoare

What happens when neurodivergent families finally find a space where they don’t have to explain themselves?

In this heartfelt episode of Neurodivergent Pulse, Laetitia is joined by Kristy and Eliza from Belongside Families, a family-led organisation supporting parents and carers raising neurodivergent children.

Together they explore the profound impact of peer connection, lived experience and neuroaffirming support for families navigating the complex realities of raising autistic and ADHD children.

Kristy and Eliza share their own journeys of discovering their children’s neurodivergence — and their own — and how that experience led them to create spaces where parents can connect, share, learn and feel truly understood.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that community is not a luxury for neurodivergent families — it’s essential.

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Key takeaways

• Why family-led support spaces create deeper understanding and trust
• The hidden isolation many neurodivergent families experience
• How peer groups can reduce shame and rebuild confidence in parenting
• Why neuroaffirming spaces allow parents to unmask and learn safely
• The importance of connection for families in regional and rural communities
• How lived experience and evidence-based practice work best together
• Why belonging and community can be just as powerful as professional support

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About the guests

Kristy Cartan

Kristy spent 15 years in the corporate world before stepping into her most important role — being a mum to her incredible young human.

When her child was identified as autistic at 2.5 years old, Kristy jokingly said, “he got it from his mamma.” As it turns out, that was true — she later recognised her own AuDHD neurotype.

Kristy now works as a Peer Facilitator and Community Engagement Officer at Belongside Families, where she hosts virtual Autism MyTime groups, facilitates workshops and webinars, and supports parents navigating similar journeys.

Through her work, Kristy brings deep empathy, lived experience and warmth, helping families feel seen, supported and connected.

Outside of work, Kristy is a curious creative who believes she can make almost anything she imagines. You’ll often find her reading, gaming, at the beach, or embracing her role as a whimsical silly goose.

Eliza Hoare

Eliza spent ten years working as a primary school teacher before her parenting journey prompted a shift into the disability sector.

As her children’s neurodivergences became clearer, Eliza pursued her own assessments. She and all three of her children were identified as AuDHD (Autistic and ADHD).

Understanding her own neurotype transformed how she cares for herself, supports her children and structures her work.

Eliza now contributes to workshop development, peer support, and resource creation at Belongside Families, including the development of the Count Me In guide.

Through her work, Eliza hopes families feel less alone, more understood, and empowered to see neurodivergence as one of many valid forms of human diversity.

Outside of work, Eliza prioritises rest, self-accommodation and gentle creative interests whenever capacity allows.

💻 Website:⁠ https://belongsidefamilies.org.au

📩 Join the mailing list: ⁠https://belongsidefamilies.org.au/joinourmailinglist/

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

What does family led support actually mean?

At Belongside Families, every facilitator is also a parent or carer. They live the same daily reality as the families they support. The team listens closely to parents and carers in the community. That listening shapes the topics, webinars and workshops offered each term. Family led support means the team is beside families, not above them.

How do online groups feel safe for neurodivergent parents?

Safety starts with clear guidelines. Belongside Families does not push one right way to parent. Facilitators treat each parent as the expert on their own child. Groups bring people from different backgrounds and financial situations together. That difference in perspective is where the value lies. Spaces are moderated so sharing stays supportive and strength based. Everyone is reminded that they belong, whatever type of parent they are.

Why do parents in regional areas need peer support?

Families in regional, rural and remote areas often face long wait lists. Finding another parent who understands can feel impossible there. Online peer groups let people connect without leaving home. Parents describe seeing others nodding along about shared experiences as life changing. It shows them they are not alone in their isolation. Facilitators have watched friendships grow between people in different parts of the country.

How does Belongside Families combine evidence and lived experience?

Every resource starts with evidence based research and best practice guidelines. Facilitators then run that research through the filter of lived experience. They ask whether an idea actually works for a tired family at 5pm. If research suggests something a parent in burnout cannot manage, they pivot. Lived experience helps turn the what of research into a workable how. Evidence explains why something matters, and lived experience shows how to apply it.

Can raising a neurodivergent child reveal your own traits?

Some parents notice their child is holding up a mirror for them. They start recognising traits that feel familiar in themselves. Many go on to explore their own neurodivergence, sometimes through diagnosis. Others learn to accommodate their own way of learning and socialising. This can also mean managing daily changes in energy and capacity. Recognising your own neurotype is common among parents in these peer groups.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction and acknowledgement of country
• 1:32 Eliza and Kristy's journeys to Belongside
• 5:04 The meaning of family led support
• 8:56 Neuroaffirming support in online spaces
• 13:04 Exhaustion, isolation and fear in families
• 18:07 Creating safety in online peer groups
• 22:31 Balancing evidence and lived experience
• 26:19 Moments of real connection and belonging
• 31:02 How to find Belongside Families