Episode 269: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Build Confidence and Self-Love with Jheri South

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Do you ever wonder how to help your neurodivergent child build confidence and self-love when they’re constantly being corrected or misunderstood?

Parenting a neurodivergent child can come with unique challenges, especially when behaviors are misunderstood or viewed through a lens of blame. In this episode, I sit down with ADHD coach and mom of seven neurodivergent children, Jheri South, to talk about helping neurodivergent kids understand their brains, build confidence, and feel accepted for who they are.

Here are the main takeaways:

  • Why repeated correction can affect a neurodivergent child’s confidence and self-worth

  • How curiosity can help you look beneath challenging behavior

  • Why labels like “mean,” “selfish,” or “lazy” can shape how children see themselves

  • How to support neurodivergent kids without making them feel “othered”

  • The five things that can motivate an ADHD brain: novelty, interest, challenge, urgency, and passion

  • Why rewards and motivation can look different for autistic and ADHD children

  • How to separate parenting time from connection time

  • Why validating your child’s feelings doesn’t mean agreeing with every thought or belief

  • How to support kids through rejection sensitivity and emotional dysregulation

  • Why helping neurodivergent kids find “their people” can build confidence and belonging

  • How to communicate with autistic children in ways that make their internal experiences easier to understand

  • Why saying “I’m disappointed in you” can impact a child’s sense of self

  • How to help children build motivation from within rather than simply trying to make their parents proud

You can connect with Jheri South at JheriSouth.com, on Instagram at @msjherisouth, and on Facebook at Jheri South for ADHD and neurodiversity support and resources.

Remember, your child’s behavior is always telling you something—and curiosity can help you understand what’s underneath it without adding shame.

Tune in to this episode for an honest conversation about supporting neurodivergent kids, building their confidence and self-love, and creating a relationship where they know they are loved for exactly who they are.