Adulting with Autism

What if your brain is bright and capable—but your life feels like a mess of missed deadlines, chaotic rooms, and constant overwhelm?
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Dr. Norrine Russell, a "quirky mom" of two neurodivergent kids (autism, ADHD, anxiety—"all the A's") and founder of the largest student coaching practice in the U.S. for neurodiverse learners. Dr. Russell specializes in coaching autistic, ADHD, and anxious students and young adults using her Connected Coaching model, and she breaks down what's really going on when bright, "good" kids and young adults struggle to function day-to-day.
Together, they unpack what executive functioning actually is in plain language, how it shows up in real life (messy rooms, missed buses, hygiene struggles, late assignments), and why it's about brain development—not laziness, morality, or "not caring." Dr. Russell explains how anxiety, overwhelm, and masking at school or work drain executive functioning and lead to meltdowns and shutdowns at home, and why expectations must match where someone actually is developmentally—not just their age or test scores.
They also dive into her book Asking the Right Questions About ADHD, why ADHD and autism so often travel together, and what questions teens, young adults, and parents should be asking about diagnosis, support, and long-term planning. From transitions to college, trade school, or work, to realistic time management, scaffolding, and emotional regulation strategies, this conversation offers both validation and concrete next steps.
If you're an autistic or ADHD young adult who feels like you're self-sabotaging, constantly late, or "bad at life"—or a parent trying to support without smothering—this episode will help you see the difference between "I'm bad at this" and "no one taught me how."
In this episode, you'll learn:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What executive functioning really means (without the jargon)

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Everyday signs EF is the issue: mess, lateness, missed tasks, hygiene struggles

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How anxiety, overwhelm, and masking drain your executive "battery"

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why capacity for focus, planning, and self-control changes day to day

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How to think in "next rung on the ladder" instead of "top of the ladder" goals

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Key questions from Asking the Right Questions About ADHD that also matter for autism

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What actually changes (and doesn't) when you move from high school to college, trade school, or work

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A practical way to tell "I'm bad at this" from "no one gave me a scaffold"

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Non-shaming ways to handle screens, gaming, and social media in neurodivergent homes

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Concrete strategies for time management, task initiation, and emotional regulation

What if your 70s were more adventurous than your 30s?
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L talks with Norman Calvo, a longtime mortgage banker who decided "standard success" wasn't enough—and reinvented himself in his 60s and 70s. Norman went from overworked, out of breath on New York subway stairs to running half-marathons, completing the New York City Marathon, perfecting a handstand at 72, singing cabaret, and hosting his own podcast, Against the Norm.
Norman shares how a casual conversation with a marathon-running colleague and a chance meeting with two opera singers accidentally opened the door to an entirely new life. He and April dig into the quiet red flags of burnout and boredom, the "little voice" that tells you there's more to life than your current job, and how ignoring that voice leads to regret. He also explains how he helps people design their "third act" by reconnecting with what they loved as kids and turning those buried passions into experiments, hobbies, or even new careers.
This is a powerful conversation for autistic and neurodivergent adults in their 20s, 30s, and beyond who are already thinking, "Did I pick the wrong field?" or feel trapped in an identity built only on grades, job titles, or performance.
In this episode, you'll learn:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How Norman went from 59, out of shape and overworked, to marathons, cabaret, and handstands

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The subtle signs you've outgrown a version of success (boredom, overwork, "there has to be more than this")

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why tying your entire identity to school, performance, or a job leads to burnout

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How continuous learning and new neural pathways keep life vibrant at any age

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A simple exercise to uncover what you actually love: listing 10 things you enjoyed as a kid

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How to turn those old loves into small, low-pressure experiments in your current life

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why obstacles (money, time, age) should be treated as problems to navigate—not full stops

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What Norman wishes his 20-year-old self had known about aging, balance, and possibility

Disappointment is part of life. Unfortunately, nobody teaches autistic people how to deal with it.
Instead, we're handed vague inspirational quotes like "Everything happens for a reason," "Rejection is redirection," and "There's a silver lining." But what happens when the thing you wanted most disappears? What happens when a carefully planned future suddenly falls apart?
In this solo episode, April talks about losing a long-planned trip to Seoul, why autistic people often grieve the future they've already built in their minds, and how to pivot when life doesn't go according to plan.
If you've ever failed a class, lost a relationship, missed an opportunity, been denied accommodations, experienced burnout, or watched a dream disappear, this episode is for you.
Disappointment isn't a verdict. It's information.
The question is: what do you do next?
#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #AdultingWithAutism #AutisticAdults #ADHD #MentalHealth #Disappointment #Resilience #CollegeSuccess

Money isn't just numbers—it's shame, anxiety, and chaos for a lot of autistic and ADHD adults.
In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Auntie April MS, OT/L sits down with financial expert and author Al Zdenek, executive chair of CakeClub Inc. and creator of the CakeClub personal finance app, to talk about practical money skills for real people—not just the rich. Al shares how he went from nearly bankrupt to financially free by his late 40s, and breaks down simple, realistic steps neurodivergent young adults can use to get a handle on cash flow without spreadsheets taking over their lives.
They cover what "wealth" really means beyond billionaire fantasies, common money mistakes new earners make (like runaway credit cards, subscriptions, and paying off "good debt" too fast), and why an emergency fund matters more than flexing on social media. Al also explains the basics of managing cash flow as a freelancer or new entrepreneur, separating business and personal money, and what to do if you're already deep in debt and feeling ashamed or stuck.
This episode is especially helpful for autistic and ADHD adults who hate looking at statements, feel like they've already "messed up," or grew up being told not to talk about money.
In this episode, you'll learn:
p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why wealth is personal—and how to define it for your life, not Elon's

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The most common money traps for Gen Z and new earners (cars, credit, subscriptions)

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The difference between "good" debt and "bad" debt

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why rushing to pay off a mortgage can leave you financially vulnerable

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How to start: one card, an emergency fund, and getting that 401(k) match

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Cash-flow basics for freelancers and neurodivergent entrepreneurs

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A simple way to separate business and personal money (without getting overwhelmed)

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What to do if you're already in deep debt, including negotiation, help, and—when necessary—bankruptcy as a reset, not a moral failure

p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What "financial freedom" actually looks like beyond just money in the bank

In this solo episode of Adulting with Autism, April shares her personal experience with autistic burnout and the warning signs she missed along the way.
From suddenly losing interest in music and favorite hobbies to driving in silence, chronic exhaustion, nightmares, irritability, and physical pain, burnout didn't arrive with a dramatic announcement. It crept in quietly until her body demanded attention.
April also shares a powerful story from earlier in her career when years of stress, masking, caregiving, overwork, and self-neglect led to a life-threatening health crisis that landed her in the ICU.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Common signs of autistic burnout
• How burnout can look similar to depression
• Why functioning at work doesn't always mean you're okay
• The impact of chronic masking and constant demands
• Small ways to support nervous system recovery
• Why listening to your body's whispers matters before it starts screaming
This episode is not medical advice. It is one autistic adult's lived experience and perspective as an occupational therapist.
Keep Fierce. Keep Focused. Keep Adulting with Autism.