91: Managing Energy for ADHD, Autism, and Life [Parenting Neurodivergence Series]

Throughout your day, your invisible cup fills with sensory information, emotions, and cognitive demands. But what happens when that cup overflows? For those with Autism or ADHD, this overflow can be particularly intense and frequent—yet it's an experience we all share to varying degrees.

The energy cup framework offers a new approach to understanding our daily experiences with stress and stimulation. But this concept isn't just for those with neurodivergent traits. It’s a universal tool that can benefit everyone, providing insights into why we sometimes feel overwhelmed, unfocused, or in need of a break.

By recognizing that our energy cups naturally fill multiple times a day, we can strip away judgment about how we're wired or what we can tolerate. And this can empower us, encouraging us to take ownership of our well-being by tuning into our internal states.

But how do we effectively empty our cups when they're full? And how can this framework transform our approach to self-care, workplace productivity, and even parenting?

This week on the podcast, we explore the practical applications of the energy cup concept. We’ll talk about how this simple idea can reshape your understanding of regulation and help you or your child advocate for your needs without shame. Whether you're a therapist, a parent, or someone looking to improve your own well-being, this episode offers valuable insights into managing your energy and creating a more balanced life.

It's time to understand your cup, recognize when it's full, and find effective ways to empty it.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Parenting Neurodivergence Resource Bundle: Get on the waitlist.
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD

What You’ll Learn

• How to recognize when your energy cup is getting full, before it overflows into overwhelm or shutdown
• Why understanding your unique cup size and filling rate is crucial for effective self-regulation
• Practical strategies for emptying your cup throughout the day, tailored to different needs and preferences
• How the energy cup framework can help explain and validate experiences of autism and ADHD
• Ways to use this concept to advocate for your needs at work or school without shame or stigma
• How parents can apply the energy cup idea to better support their children's emotional regulation
• The potential for this framework to create more inclusive and understanding environments for everyone

Come learn with us at Zero Disturbance:

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you won't want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.

Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.