Learning to Lead with Neurodiversity (and Parent): Understanding ADHD, Autism, and Emotional Regulation with Coach Jheri South

Written By Cassidyy Atkins

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Stan sits down with Executive Teen Coach Jheri South, whose personal journey through ADHD and parenting seven neurodivergent children has shaped her life’s mission: to empower kids and parents to thrive together.

Jheri opens up about growing up undiagnosed with ADHD and how that shaped her understanding of resilience, self-awareness, and emotional health. Today, she helps families uncover the root causes behind their struggles — from impulsivity and overwhelm to emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity (RSD). With compassion and deep understanding, she teaches that ADHD and autism aren’t disorders to be “fixed,” but neurological differences to be understood and worked with.

Together, Stan and Jheri explore the connection between awareness and healing, how early diagnosis and understanding can change the trajectory of a child’s confidence, and the role parents play in modeling emotional regulation. They discuss how parents can support neurodivergent kids by focusing on consistency, communication, and curiosity instead of correction — and how grace, empathy, and understanding lead to real transformation inside the home.

From managing RSD to creating healthy routines and helping kids understand their emotions, this conversation is a must-listen for parents, leaders, and anyone navigating neurodivergence. As Jheri says, “You’re not broken — your brain just works differently. Once you understand it, anything is possible.”

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to support your child (or yourself) through ADHD or autism, this episode will inspire you to see neurodiversity not as a barrier, but as a beautiful part of human design.

Links:

Guest Link: https://jherisouth.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

  • 00:00 — Welcome and intro to Jheri South

  • 02:00 — What neurodiversity really means

  • 05:00 — ADHD vs. ADD: What’s changed in the DSM

  • 07:00 — Jheri’s late diagnosis and family story

  • 09:00 — How ADHD is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed

  • 12:00 — Why treatment is about understanding, not just medication

  • 14:00 — Jheri’s story: single motherhood, resilience, and emotional struggle

  • 16:00 — Understanding RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria)

  • 18:00 — How self-awareness helps reframe emotional pain

  • 21:00 — Mind management and reframing thoughts

  • 25:00 — Parenting with awareness: consistency over perfection

  • 28:00 — The “85% Good Stan” rule and giving yourself grace

  • 30:00 — How ADHD shows up differently in every child

  • 33:00 — Why early diagnosis matters

  • 35:00 — The need for better teacher training on neurodiversity

  • 37:00 — Self-confidence, school struggles, and missed diagnoses

  • 40:00 — Real-life client stories of transformation

  • 46:00 — What leaders and managers need to know about ADHD

  • 50:00 — Embracing neurodivergent strengths in the workplace

  • 51:00 — Jheri’s mission and programs to support families

  • 53:00 — How to connect with Jheri South

Cassidyy Atkins
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Transformational Identity: Becoming the Leader You’re Meant to Be