In the second stop of our UK tour, we touch down in Manchester to tackle one of the most misunderstood phases of neurodivergence: Early Childhood.

Before the diagnoses, the coping strategies, and the legal/corporate careers, what does an AuDHD childhood actually look like? In this episode, Maverik turns the mic on JK to explore the reality of growing up "hyperactive" in the 1980s.

We dismantle the pervasive myth of the "naughty child," exposing how traditional parenting and educational systems often punish neurodivergent kids for simply trying to regulate their own nervous systems. From destroying shop window displays to hiding under the covers with a torch to read Tintin, this is a raw look at the neurodivergent brain searching for stimulation in a world designed for neurotypicals.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "Naughty Child" Pipeline: Why emptying baking ingredients on the floor isn't misbehaviour—it is an under-stimulated brain seeking input encounters with pediatricians and the devastating loss of Monster Munch and orange squash.
• The Classroom Battleground: How rigid teaching methods (especially in subjects like maths) set neurodivergent students up for failure, frustration, and bullying.
• The Attention Span Myth: Why an ADHD child who "can't sit still" can suddenly hyper-focus and read an entire book in one sitting.
• Obsession as a Refuge: How repeating the same books, cartoons, and special interests acts as a vital tool for emotional regulation and certainty.
  

  Takeaways for Parents & Late-Diagnosed Adults:
  
  Don't strive for the "perfect" child.
  Encourage their deep interests, stop forcing them to learn linearly if their brain doesn't work that way, and never be afraid to ask for help.

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Was it a rebellious phase, or a survival strategy to fit in?

In the final primary school chapter of TheNeuroPod, James Kenyon (The Wingman) and James “Maverick” Hollis wrap up the "Primary Odyssey" with a look at the year 2000—a time when "normal" was the only accepted standard. Maverick reveals the moment he finally "snapped" after a stinging confrontation with a teacher who labeled his autistic traits as "juvenile" and "not normal."

The duo discusses the radical shift Maverick made: abandoning his role as a quiet rule-follower to join the "unruly squad." From sitting at the back of the bus on a school trip to France to intentionally getting sent out of Latin class, James explains how he used "troublemaking" as a form of social camouflage. It’s an insightful look at how the need for acceptance can drive neurodivergent children to "mask" through mischief, and how that newfound confidence eventually led to a triumphant acceptance into his first-choice boarding school.

⏱️ Chapters:

• 00:00 – Intro: Ready to buzz the tower?
• 01:45 – The Dressing Down: "Why can't you be like everybody else?"
• 04:30 – The Snap: Deciding that following the rules isn't working
• 07:15 – Joining the Squad: Initiation and keeping secrets
• 09:40 – The Latin Class Incident: Switching sides from teacher to rebel
• 11:50 – The Back of the Bus: Finding acceptance on the France trip
• 14:30 – Social Masking: Talking about girls and "playing the part"
• 18:15 – The Common Entrance Success: How social safety boosted academic performance
• 21:30 – The Watershed Moment: Proving the naysayers wrong
• 23:45 – Maverick’s Final Word: A message for teachers on behavior changes
  

🔑 Key Takeaways

• The Damage of "Normal": How being told to "grow up" and "be normal" by an educator can make an autistic child feel broken rather than supported.
• Rebellion as Camouflage: Why a sudden shift into a "naughty" peer group can actually be a sophisticated form of masking to avoid further adult criticism.
• The Social/Academic Link: How the feeling of peer acceptance (even through a persona) provided the confidence Maverick needed to pass his exams and excel.
• Initiation & Loyalty: The role of "rule-following" even within unruly groups—how James used his innate ability to follow strict codes to gain trust with his new friends.
• A Lesson for Educators: If a quiet, reserved student suddenly joins the "loudest" group, look beneath the surface. It may be a response to an injustice or a sign of undiagnosed neurodivergence.

Support our NeuroInclusion Odyssey for the price of a pint! Join the Pint Club on Patreon (£6/month) → bonus behind the scenes content, patreon shout out in our shows, and have real impact on NeuroInclusion. 👉 patreon.com/c/NeuroPod

Follow TheNeuroPod on: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

TheNeuroPod is written and presented by James Hollis and James Kenyon. Producer: Veronika Ipser

#NeuroInclusion #AuDHD #AutismAwareness #Masking #Neurodivergent #UKPodcast #ActuallyAutistic #TheNeuroPod

Please share/rate this podcast ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Was it mental illness, or was it just a young boy with a vivid imagination?

In this episode of TheNeuroPod, James Kenyon (The Wingman) and James “Maverick” Hollis take to the neurodiverse skies to revisit the primary school years—specifically age 10. Maverick opens up about a startling memory from the 1990s: being flagged by teachers for potential "schizophrenia" simply because his imaginary play was so intense.

The duo explores how Maverick created an imaginary "Sergeant Major" to provide the motivation and support he wasn't getting in the classroom. They discuss the trauma of negative reinforcement, the fear behind being the "best-behaved" child, and the crushing moment a Headmaster tried to write off his future—and how his parents fought back.

It’s a raw look at how curiosity is often killed by impatience, and why neurodivergent kids need community, not just labels.

00:00 – Intro: The Neurodiverse Skies

01:50 – The "Schizophrenia" Label: Misunderstanding Autism in the 90s

04:39 – Meet the Sergeant Major: Imaginary friends as a survival tactic

09:23 – Rules & Anxiety: Being "good" out of fear

11:46 – The Maths Meltdown: A case study in negative reinforcement

16:24 – Killing Curiosity: "You should know the answer" 21:09 – The Headmaster who wrote me off (and the parents who didn't)

25:55 – Maverick’s Message: Patience and inquisitiveness

• The Misdiagnosis Danger: How vivid autistic imagination and loneliness were mistaken for schizophrenia by concerned teachers in the 90s.
• Coping Mechanisms: Maverick created an imaginary "Sergeant Major" to offer the encouragement and motivation he lacked from peers.
• Fear-Based Compliance: Being the "rule follower" at school wasn't always about respect; often, it was about avoiding the sensory overload of being shouted at.
• Negative vs. Positive Reinforcement: How a lack of patience in Maths crushed confidence, while autonomy in French allowed Maverick to soar.
• The Power of Advocacy: The critical moment Maverick’s parents refused to accept the school's low expectations for his future.
• Teacher Tip: Never shut down a "basic" question. Inquisitiveness is the engine of learning.
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Support our NeuroInclusion Odyssey for the price of a pint!

Join the Pint Club on Patreon (**£6/month**) → bonus behind the scenes content, patreon shout out in our shows, and have real impact on NeuroInclusion. 👉 patreon.com/c/NeuroPod

---

Follow TheNeuroPod on:

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

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TheNeuroPod is written and presented by James Hollis and James Kenyon.

Producer: Veronika Ipser

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#NeuroInclusion #AuDHD #AutismAwareness #Neurodivergent #UKPodcast #ActuallyAutistic