Is It ADHD or Autism? Understanding Your Child’s Neurodiversity & Trusting Your Instincts with Alison from The Incremental Shift

In this episode of The Imperfect Mum Podcast, I chat with Alison, a Family Dynamics & Neurodiversity Strategist and founder of The Incremental Shift. With over 20 years of experience supporting neurodiverse families, Alison helps parents navigate the complexities of ADHD, autism, and family relationships in a way that fosters connection, resilience, and understanding.

We explore the realities of parenting neurodiverse children, the emotional rollercoaster of diagnosis, and why trusting your gut as a parent is one of the most powerful things you can do. Alison shares her expertise on building stronger family bonds, advocating for children in education settings, and making small but impactful shifts that can completely transform daily life.

What We Cover:

✅ The signs of ADHD and autism that are often missed—especially in girls
 ✅ How a child’s diagnosis can lead to self-discovery for parents
 ✅ Why traditional education struggles to support neurodiverse children (and what we can do about it)
 ✅ The importance of flexible learning and how it can unlock a child’s potential
✅ What it means when children ‘mask’ in school and how to support them at home
✅ Real-life strategies to manage daily challenges without burnout
✅ Why the holiday season can feel overwhelming for neurodiverse families—and how to make it easier
✅ The future of education and how it should accommodate different learning styles

Meet Alison from The Incremental Shift:

Alison is a Family Dynamics & Neurodiversity Strategist passionate about helping families authentically and genuinely thrive. With a deep understanding of the intricacies of family relationships and the complexity of neurodiversity, she guides parents towards a more peaceful, balanced, and fulfilling family life.

Her expertise includes:
 ✨ Supporting children with ADHD, ASD, and 2E (Twice Exceptional) traits
 ✨ Building resilience and confidence within neurodiverse families
 ✨ Strengthening parent-child communication and connection
 ✨ Providing behaviour guidance rooted in neurodiversity understanding
 ✨ Advocating for better support in schools and learning environments

At The Incremental Shift, Alison believes in the power of small, consistent changes to create significant improvements in family dynamics. Her approach is rooted in empathy, evidence-based strategies, and the belief that every family is unique.

Links & Resources:

🔗 Find Alison & The Incremental Shift: Website | Instagram
🔗 Book a 1:1 Call with Me: Work with Natasha
🔗 Follow Me on Instagram: @TheImperfectMum