The things you don’t see: My neurodivergent life behind the mask
Hosted by
Laetitia Andrac
Host of The Neurodivergent Pulse, CEO and co-founder of Understanding Zoe, and a neurodivergent parent.
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, "The things you don’t see: My neurodivergent life behind the mask", you'll hear practical, neuroaffirming ideas you can use today.
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Show notes
What if the hardest parts of being neurodivergent are the ones nobody ever sees?
In this deeply personal solo episode, Laetitia steps away from interviewing guests to share her own lived experience as an autistic, ADHD, PDA and twice-exceptional adult. She opens up about the invisible struggles that exist behind the scenes of running a company, parenting, speaking on stages and showing up online.
From burnout and demand avoidance to rejection sensitivity, hygiene struggles and masking, this episode offers an honest look at the everyday realities that many neurodivergent adults quietly carry.
This conversation is an invitation to replace shame with self-understanding and to remember that our challenges are not personal failures, they often reflect a world built around neuronormative expectations rather than neurodivergent needs.
✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 7 days – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step.
KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇
🧠 Why invisible disabilities are often misunderstood
🧠 How masking can lead to burnout and long-term health consequences
🧠 Living as an autistic ADHDer (AuDHD) and navigating two operating systems
🧠 Understanding PDA (Persistent Drive for Autonomy) and everyday demands
🧠 Why tasks like washing your hair or brushing your teeth can feel overwhelming
🧠 The impact of internalised ableism and neuronormative expectations
🧠 How technology can become a powerful accessibility tool
🧠 Understanding rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) and emotional intensity
🧠 Learning to replace shame with self-compassion
🧠 Why sharing lived experience helps others feel less alone
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🔗 Try Understanding Zoe for free today
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.
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