Finding Our Tribe in the Storm

Episode 9

SEASON 1

Re-grouping after an eight-week crisis

The eight weeks leading up to this episode were anything but normal. With uncertainty affecting every part of daily life, Yvonne, Sarah and I come back together to reflect on what it was really like navigating that period, as three neurospicy households.

For neurodivergent families, change and uncertainty can have a huge impact. When routines disappear, schools close and plans constantly shift, it's not just an inconvenience – it can completely dysregulate the whole family. In this honest and relatable conversation, we share how we each coped, the strategies that helped us through, and the moments that reminded us why community is so important.

We talk openly about the emotional and physical toll of living in survival mode, where every day feels like you're running on adrenaline. We discuss the importance of protecting your own energy, setting boundaries and recognising that not everyone deserves access to your time when you're already carrying so much. From switching off the doom scrolling to quietly stepping away from relationships that drain rather than support us, we explore how looking after ourselves allows us to show up better for our families.

As parents, we also reflect on the challenge of supporting our children through distance learning while making sure they still had opportunities to regulate, move and connect. We share practical ideas that helped our own families, including making the most of local sports groups and activities to give our children a much-needed outlet during a difficult time.

The conversation also highlights one of the UAE's most valuable resources for families – the SANAD card. We discuss the practical benefits it offers, from reducing waiting times in busy attractions to making public spaces more accessible, but also the less visible impact it can have. Rather than feeling different or singled out, children are given a sense of belonging, understanding and pride in having their needs recognised.

Throughout the episode, there are moments of laughter, honesty and reflection as we acknowledge that, while our experiences are different, the feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion and uncertainty are ones many families will recognise. We also admit that, more often than not, it's our partners who see the full impact of carrying the emotional load.

Ultimately, this episode reinforces exactly why we created the 3 Busy Brains. We wanted to build a community where families could have honest conversations, share lived experiences and know they are not navigating neurodiversity alone. Because when life feels overwhelming, finding your tribe isn't a luxury – it's one of the most powerful forms of support you can have.