When Trauma, Autism, and ADHD Start to Overlap

If you’ve ever wondered whether overwhelm, shutdowns, masking, or constant tension are coming from neurodivergence, trauma, or both, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.

In this episode, I sit down with Sharon LaFlamme to talk about the nervous system, childhood stress, sensory overload, and why so many Autistic and ADHD adults can feel unsafe even when they logically know they’re okay. We explore how early experiences may shape the body’s responses, why “just calm down” rarely helps, and what it can look like to build a greater sense of safety over time.

I’m also sharing a conversation that may raise big questions for parents, caregivers, educators, and neurodivergent adults alike: when does masking become chronic stress, what happens when support misses the full picture, and how can you start noticing your own warning signs before a meltdown or shutdown?

About the Guest

Sharon LaFlamme is a Somatic Experiencing practitioner who focuses on trauma, nervous system support, and body-based healing practices. Her work includes somatic tools, yoga, meditation, and education around emotional safety and regulation.

Key Timestamps

• 0:15 - What trauma can do to the nervous system over time
• 5:32 - Can childhood trauma affect you without you realizing it?
• 13:33 - Feeling different, misunderstood, and unsafe growing up
• 18:22 - Autism, ADHD, trauma responses, and where they may overlap
• 21:39 - How masking can add to chronic stress
• 28:53 - Sensory overload and why past stress can intensify it
• 38:17 - What Somatic Experiencing is and how it differs from talk therapy
• 44:11 - Why “calm down” often makes things worse
• 53:01 - What genuine emotional safety really feels like
• 57:35 - Forgiveness, boundaries, and letting go on your own terms

Sharon's Links

• reatingserenitynow.com
• makingfriendswithforgiveness.com
• https://www.youtube.com/c/SharonLaflamme
• Also you can find her on Facebook

Show Affiliate: https://shop.adhddd.com/NEURODIVERGENT_CONNECTION

If this episode speaks to you, listen through and share it with someone who needs more clear, caring conversations around trauma, Autism, ADHD, and nervous system regulation.

#NeurodivergentConnection #AutismAwareness #ADHDSupport #TraumaHealing #NervousSystem

Hosted by Reid Miles.
Conversations unfold naturally — no scripts, no rush.

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