Order of the Squirrels

What happens when ADHD and autism share the same brain space? Is it chaos? Is it genius? Is it both… before noon?In this episode, we crack open the beautifully complicated overlap between ADHD and autism — the misunderstandings, the sensory spirals, the hyperfocus rabbit holes, the social “wait… what just happened?” moments, and the surprising superpowers.In this episode, I interviewed one of my family members, Alyssa, about her journey with a diagnosis of ADHD & Autism with children and a husband with diagnosis. We talk about:The traits that blur together (and the ones that absolutely do not)Masking, burnout, and why everything feels louder some daysExecutive dysfunction vs. demand avoidance — the showdownThe emotional side no one explainsHow self-awareness changes everythingThere are laughs. There are “ohhhhh that makes sense now” revelations. There may be mild ranting.Whether you’re diagnosed, questioning, parenting, partnering, or just squirrel-adjacent — this one might feel uncomfortably relatable in the best way.Grab a snack you’ll forget you made, settle into your favorite sensory-safe corner, and let’s untangle brains together. 🧠💛Kimberlyedu.orgFB: @KimberlysEducationalResources (for the explaination of the Kitzerow's Autism and the Comorbidities Theory

Thanks for being patient as our lives took president recently. But we are back!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. This one is out early to assist your ADHD Anxieties etc... xoxox Kim and RheaNotes: General Survival Guid for ADHD'ersHoliday StressMaintain Routines & AnchorsSensory OverloadBoundries & Saying NOSelf-Care: Sleep, Nutrition, ExersicesBody Doubling for Production

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜Topic Breakdown:Why ADHD brains love fresh starts but struggle with follow-through (hello, dopamine rollercoaster 🎢).“Seasonal Motivation Disorder”: how weather, light, and new routines affect attention and energy.ADHD awareness month myths: “You just need to focus more” — cue laughter.Tools that actually work: dopamine stacking, body doubling, microgoals, and accountability with humor.Fun spin: Kim and Rhea try “The Great Squirrel Reset Challenge” — each picks one chaotic corner of life to overhaul (with snacks as motivation).Research Sources:ADDitude – Why ADHD Brains Crave NewnessPsychology Today – The ADHD Dopamine ConnectionVerywell Mind – How Seasonal Change Affects Focus and MoodCHADD – ADHD Awareness Month ResourcesNeuro Mints ThesisSubscribe and Follow! Don't miss out!  EMAIL US!! xoxo Kim & Rhea “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜  🚨 Emotional Rollercoaster incoming 🚨 ADHD already gave us mood swings… then perimenopause said, “Hold my wine.” 🍷 New = laughs, tears, and probably nachos.�ADHD brings rejection sensitivity + emotional dysregulation.Perimenopause adds estrogen/progesterone rollercoasters.Practical tips: exercise, humor, therapy journaling, magnesium, setting boundaries.🔗 Research Sources:Harvard Health (2023) – Mood changes in perimenopauseCHADD – ADHD & emotional dysregulationMayo Clinic – Perimenopause symptoms overview� Hit play, scream with us, and maybe cry-laugh in the Target parking lot. #HormoneChaos #SquirrelLife #ADHDHumor “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜Subscribe and listen to Friday's episode! Moodswings and Mayhem!;-)  “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜Hosts: Kim Ratliff & Rhea YapPerimenopause already makes us feel like our brain’s swimming in soup…add ADHD, and suddenly we’re living on LOW POWER MODE 24/7 zzzz. In this episode, Kim (artist squirrel) and Rhea (nurse squirrel) unpack why fatigue hits so hard, why naps are medicine, and how protein, sleep hacks and a little self compassion can help us recharge. Tune in, laugh with us, and maybe schedule that guilt-free nap!!Resources:  Frontiers in Global Women’s Health on hormonal interplay with cognition and mood in female ADHD https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1613628/full #ADHD #Perimenopause #Hormones #BrainFog #WomenOver40 #Neurodivergence #Relatable #Podcast #SquirrelMode “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜🐿️✨ We’ve learned one thing: even the quirkiest squirrel needs a squad. Today we share our best hacks (and laugh at our worst fails) for surviving ADHD + perimenopause. From bullet journals to melatonin, nothing’s off-limits. Come stash nuts with us in a judgment-free zone – episode is up! 📝❤️Current research and expert resources on ADHD and perimenopause have informed these episodes . We’ve woven science with real-life stories and humor to ensure the content is relatable, reassuring, and factual.Healthline.com, Groundnews.com, Upworthy.com, Idadhdnetwork.ca, menopausespecialist.com, Everynow.com, HealthHarvard.eduEmail us with your ADHD/Perimenopause experiences you’d like to share and we will read them on the show. We will only go by first name or a name you choose. Ootspod808@gmail.comFollow us on Socials below:  “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜🔥🐿️ Emotional volcano alert! One minute we’re hugging a puppy, the next we’re plotting revenge on the dog park. ADHD + perimenopause has turned our emotions into a squirrel-on-espresso. 😂💥 Today we commiserate over hot-flash tantrums and laugh through the melodrama. Grab your fan (and a stress ball) – new episode is live!”#MoodSwings #HotFlashes #ADHD #Perimenopause #WomenOver40 #Humor #Hormones #EmotionalRollercoaster #RelatableFrontiers in Global Women’s Health (2025) – Reviews female ADHD across the lifespan; reports an ADDitude survey where 70% of women said ADHD was “life-altering” in their 40s–50s and half called it “extremely severe” .ADDitude Magazine (2025) – (via MentalHealthClinicians) Observes that wild hormone swings in perimenopause often cause ADHD symptoms to grow significantly worse .Charlie Health (2023) – Data review noting ADHD diagnoses in adult women doubled by 2022 and the male-female diagnosis gap narrowed to 28% , highlighting growing recognition of late-onset cases. “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜🐿️💥 Hormone hijinks! Our brains have been hijacked by tiny little squirrels (estrogen, we’re looking at you). One minute we’re Superman, next we’re Mom of the Year… for forgetting everything. 🤯 Join hosts Kim & Rhea as we crack jokes (and brains) over ADHD + perimenopause mayhem. New ep out now! 🧠🔥Hashtags: #ADHD #Perimenopause #Hormones #BrainFog #WomenOver40 #Neurodivergence #Relatable #Podcast #SquirrelMode #Orderofthesquirrels Next Episode is: Brain Fog & ForgetfulnessYou have a fun experience to share? We want to hear it! DM us or email in the show notes! Xoxo Kim & RheaResources:Mayo Clinic (2023) – Overview of perimenopause symptoms, including mood swings, sleep and cognitive changesmayoclinic.orgmayoclinic.org.Medical News Today (2024) – Notes many women report ADHD symptoms worsening during the menopausal transition; declining estrogen/progesterone may lower dopamine, affecting focusmedicalnewstoday.com.Healthline (2024) – Cites a 2021 study finding that falling estrogen/progesterone in perimenopause can make ADHD symptoms more severehealthline.com. “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜In this episode, Kim Ratliff and Rhea Yap discuss the intersection of ADHD and Asian American culture, exploring personal experiences, cultural expectations, and the challenges faced by families. They delve into the stigma surrounding mental health, the importance of self-forgiveness, and the evolving understanding of ADHD in the context of cultural identity. The conversation highlights the need for greater awareness and resources for those affected by ADHD, particularly within Asian American communities.ADHD is often underdiagnosed in Asian American communities due to cultural stigma.Cultural expectations can create additional pressure for children with ADHD.Personal experiences with ADHD can vary widely based on cultural background.Education is highly valued in many Asian American households, impacting children's mental health.Late diagnosis of ADHD can lead to feelings of relief and understanding.Self-forgiveness is crucial for parents of children with ADHD.Cultural barriers can hinder open discussions about mental health.There is a growing awareness of ADHD and mental health in Asian American communities.Learning differences are often not accommodated in traditional educational systems.Resources for ADHD support are becoming more accessible now than in the past. “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜We explore what TMS therapy is and Kim's experience with this uninvasive therapy for ADHD. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625https://brainhealthhawaii.com/https://kindpatches.com/ “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

What’s your funniest ADHD Story?!😜Intro to Kim & Rhea. We are unfiltered stream of consciousness on ADHD topics we will discuss that we have and don't have and some of our tools. Subscribe and share with your "Squirrel" friends! The more the merrier! We'd also like to hear from you. Let us know what you think of the Podcast, the topic, suggestions for topics..... share an humorous experience. ootspood808@gmail.com xox Kim & Rhea “Carefree Fun”REDproductionsThis track is registered with YouTube’s Content ID downloaded music from Pixabay, legally allowed to use it. Artist: DoobieSocial IG/FB: @Orderofthesquirrels Say Hey and share a story you’d like us to share on the Pod!: ootspod808@gmail.com www.KimberlyRatliffart.com / @KimberlyRatliffArt

Get ready to laugh and learn with Kim & Rhea as they take you on a wild ride through post-holiday recovery! From the chaos of hosting to the creative burst of a new year, she's got stories that'll make you nod and chuckle. Dive into the hilarious world of family dynamics during the holidays, the superhero feats of moms, and why being your own health advocate is a must. Plus, discover how caffeine can be a sneaky little rascal, and enjoy some juicy travel tales and everyday adventures that are sure to tickle your funny bone!TakeawaysPost holiday recovery can take time and creativityHosting events can be stressful but rewardingMoms often bear the brunt of holiday responsibilitiesSelf-advocacy in health is crucial for effective care.Tracking health symptoms can aid in medical consultationsCaffeine can affect hormonal balance and energy levels. Personal anecdotes can provide reliable insightsFamily dynamics play a significant role in holiday planningDietary adjustments can lead to better health outcomesTravel experiences can offer new culinary adventures#post-holiday #creativity #familydynamics #health #hormones #self-advocacy #caffeine #travel #personalanecdotes #everydaylife @Neuromints @OrderoftheSquirrelsNeuromints.comKimberlyRatliffart.comTime Magazine: ADHDEMAIL US!!!