SUMMARY
Patricia Young (she/her) and Alex McLaughlin (they/them) have a compassionate conversation about navigating collective stress and uncertainty as autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, and chronically ill adults. Without going into graphic details (ICE occupation, Epstein Files), they acknowledge the emotional weight many are carrying right now and focus on neurodivergent-friendly ways to cope — including managing media consumption, understanding cognitive and emotional exertion, nervous system regulation, medication and supplement support, leaning into routine and predictability, and finding accessible ways to engage in activism without burning out. If you’re feeling hypervigilant, exhausted, justice-sensitive, or unsure how to show up, this episode offers validation, practical tools, and a reminder that rest, regulation, and survival are meaningful forms of participation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Collective trauma hits neurodivergent nervous systems differently — and often harder.
- Justice sensitivity in autistic and AuDHD folks can amplify distress during political unrest.
- You do not have to consume all the news to be informed.
- Watching traumatic videos can cause secondary trauma — it’s okay to opt out.
- If media consumption disrupts your sleep or functioning for days, it may be too much.
- Cognitive exertion (thinking, processing news, socializing) costs spoons.
- Escapism isn’t moral failure — it can be nervous system protection.
- Comfort shows and repetition regulate the autistic nervous system.
- Food, TV, sleep, social media — these are tools, not character flaws.
- Movement can be regulating (if accessible), but there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
- Medication adjustments during high-stress periods are valid and sometimes necessary.
- Supplements and integrative approaches can also support regulation.
- Sleep is activism. Rest is survival.
- Community care can be asynchronous (text, Marco Polo, Signal, email).
- Parallel play and body doubling count as connection.
- Activism does not have to mean protesting.
- Apps like 5 Calls make political engagement accessible and script-based.
- Mutual aid, donating, sharing resources, and volunteering are meaningful contributions.
- Regulation and survival as neurodivergent people is itself resistance.
- You are not weak for being overwhelmed — you are responding to unprecedented stress.
SOUNDBITES
“Once you see something, you can’t unsee it. Protecting your nervous system is not denial — it’s wisdom.”
“We don’t have to show up in the same way for our activism to count.”
“Regulating your system and surviving as a neurodivergent person is part of the work.”
“It’s not the activity — it’s how it impacts you.”
“We will show up when we can. That’s compassion.”
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:
Alex McLaughlin (they/them) has a Master’s in Social Work, and is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) on Wahpekute land (colonized as MN). Alex is an AuDHDer, PDAer, Queer, non-binary, fat, chronically ill, disabled, & a multi-racial (1/8th Chinese & white passing) human with lived experience of OCD. As a late diagnosed adult, Alex has felt different and embraced their quirky, eccentric nature—what they now recognize as undiagnosed AuDHD. This lifelong experience of masking and curiosity about people inspired their passion for understanding and serving others, ultimately shaping their path today.
Alex provides neurodivergent and Queer-affirming therapy and Autism and ADHD assessments on Wahpekute land (colonized as Minnesota). Their work is grounded in intersectional feminism, ecological systems theory, and a commitment to decolonizing mental health care. They support clients in exploring how interconnected systems shape their experiences, while fostering resilience, empowerment, and self-understanding—especially for Neurodivergent, 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC/POGM, and disabled communities. Trained in ERP, I-CBT (including ND-affirming I-CBT), sand tray therapy, TF-CBT, and somatic approaches, Alex also brings lived experience and is pursuing IFS to deepen their parts-informed practice.
Coaching, consulting and training coming soon! Head here to be notified when this practice opens!
Head to Alex’s website here to connect further: Here
Patricia Young (she/her) has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 17 years, but she is now exclusively providing coaching. She knows what it’s like to feel like an outcast, misfit, and truthteller. Learning about the trait of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), then learning she is AuDHD with a PDA profile, OCD and RSD, helped Patricia rewrite her history with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and a sense of self-compassion. She created the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive and Unapologetically AuDHD to help other neurodivergent folks know that they aren’t alone, and that having a brain that is wired differently comes with amazing gifts, and some challenges. Patricia works online globally working individually with people, and she teaches Online Courses for neurodivergent folks that focus on understanding what it means to be a sensitive neurodivergent. Topics covered include: self-care, self-compassion, boundaries, perfectionism, mindfulness, communication, and creating a lifestyle that honors you
Patricia’s website, podcast episodes and more here!
Additional LINKS
- Email us with questions related to the podcast
- https://linktr.ee/mplsmutualaid
- https://www.minnesotamutualaid.org/
- https://www.instagram.com/sabocat_teacher?igsh=aGVjOXNqM2JkMnQ0
- https://www.instagram.com/zaynabmmohamed?igsh=OHAwNDhqOWRiYXE3
- https://www.instagram.com/toussaintmorrison?igsh=bzdkZmNqMjZpbWQz
- https://5calls.org/