No Such Thing as Normal

Nov 01 2024 26 ep. 28 mins 49
No Such Thing as Normal Podcast artwork

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.

Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she’ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.

No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air and launches June 10th. New episodes are available every Saturday.

  Health & Fitness  Society & Culture
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Episode 23: The mystery of Tourette’s syndrome

Nov 01 2024 31 mins  
We all know what Tourette’s is - or we think we do. But this is a condition that is largely misunderstood and routinely misrepresented. Only around 10% of those with Tourette’s syndrome have the ‘swearing tic’ - coprolalia. But the other vocal and motor tics can be just as debilitating. In this episode, Sonia speaks to Tiktok sensation, Leighton Clarke - aka Uncle Tics. He

Episode 22: The Spiral of Shame

Oct 25 2024 28 mins  
A diagnosis of ADHD, autism or dyslexia is merely an indication that your brain works in a different - and exciting - way. So why are the rates of co-occurring anxiety and depression so high for neurodivergent people? In this episode, Sonia talks to 16-year-old Emily Martin, who has ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia. Emily suffered from intense anxiety and low self-esteem throughout

Episode 21: What is Dyspraxia?

Oct 18 2024 30 mins  
Dyspraxia (or Developmental Coordination Disorder) is more than just a difficulty tying shoelaces or riding a bike. It impacts almost every aspect of life, and the effort to carry out basic tasks can be exhausting. Sonia talks to Bayley Garnham, a 24 year old Personal Trainer, who has dyspraxia and dysgraphia. Dyspraxic kids often give up on sports early, but Bayley wants to change

Episode 20: The Shaming and Blaming of Parents

Oct 11 2024 30 mins  
The parents of kids with neurodifferences face multiple challenges. But while navigating a broken system is exhausting, the constant scrutiny of your parenting can be worse. In this episode, Sonia talks to TVNZ’s 1News at 6 presenter, Melissa Stokes and Newstalk ZB Host, Francesca Rudkin about advocating for their children. And researcher Willow Sainsbury, explains why the go-to

Episode 19: A PhD in Parenting - raising a neurodivergent child

Oct 04 2024 31 mins  
Parenting a neurodivergent child is wonderful, but it’s challenging. Often, it can feel like the only people who understand are other parents on the same road. In this episode, Sonia talks to Francesca Rudkin, who had to navigate life with a daughter in crisis, before ADHD was identified. We meet members of the ‘Dad’s Autism Support Group’ in Auckland who all have kids wi

Episode 18: The Fork In The Road

Sep 27 2024 36 mins  
The rates of ADHD and dyslexia in prisons is staggering. But these same neurotypes are also more likely to be successful CEO’s and entrepreneurs. So where is the fork in the road? What leads someone down the wrong path? Sonia Gray talks to Ricky Wakelin, a kind and gentle father-of-two. In the early 2000’s Ricky’s life had spiralled out of control. He was addicted to hard dru

Episode 17: Autism - inside the non-speaking world

Sep 13 2024 32 mins  
It’s very difficult to get by in society when you don’t use words to communicate. Non-speaking autistic people tend to be invisible, unless they are ‘causing a problem’. Olympic rower Eric Murray is father to 12 year-old Zac, who is autistic and ADHD. He talks to Sonia Gray about the challenges, the joys and the desperate need for support and understanding. Guests: Eric Mu

Episode 16: Autism - Removing the Mask

Sep 06 2024 35 mins  
Many autistic people have spent their lives masking, but it’s an exhausting and inauthentic way to live. Now, as understanding around neurodivergence grows, many autistics are choosing to ‘unmask’ and embrace their differences. Autistic comedian Abby Howells has found success as her authentic, ‘unmasked’ self on stage. The things she used to hate about herself are now wor

Episode 15: Dyslexia - A 'specialisation', not a disorder

Aug 30 2024 31 mins  
In this episode Sonia Gray finds out how vital people with dyslexia are to the survival of the human race - they're the explorers, creative thinkers and problem solvers.She talks to poet and playwright, Dominic Hoey, who has written award-winning books, despite his reading challenges. And dyslexic researcher and champion, Dr Ruth Gibbons, talks about the importance of movement for

Episode 14: Dyslexia - Are we getting it all wrong?

Aug 23 2024 34 mins  
Dyslexia has long been thought of as that thing that makes it hard to read - and people are often made to feel dumb because of it.But we're learning more and more that reading and writing isn't really an issue. In fact some dyslexics read brilliantly - before they even start school - it's just once they're in the classroom they're lost and left behind in a curriculum that doesn't w