No Such Thing as Normal

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35. Neurodiversity in Aotearoa: How are we doing?

May 15, 2026

In the past decade, neurodivergence has become far more visible in Aotearoa. But awareness is not the whole story - the real question is whether neurodivergent people and their whānau feel truly seen and understood. There will always be gaps in services, funding and support. But not every change depends on a budget. Some begin with how we see neurodivergent people, how we listen to them, and whether we are willing to make room for who they really are. This episode opens with a family getting ...

34. Mental health, medication and neurodivergent burnout

May 08, 2026

Anxiety, depression, chronic stress and low self-esteem are common co-occurring conditions for many neurodivergent young people. But are these struggles caused by neurodivergence itself, or by trying to fit into environments that don’t work for them? Child and adolescent psychiatrist Darryl-Lee Prince says not only is she seeing more school refusal and shutdown, but also more complex presentations. Among them, neurodivergent burnout.  Professor Dave Coghill unpacks what the evidenc...

33. What can science tell us about neurodivergent brains?

May 01, 2026

If you - or your child - is neurodivergent, it can often feel like the world doesn’t always take you seriously. The challenges might be huge, but they’re largely invisible, and often unpredictable.  So life can become a cycle of apologies and explanations. But advances in science are beginning to change this. In this episode we look at some of the important research happening here in Aotearoa. From brain imaging studies into ADHD, to genetic research revealing the biological ...