Motherhood & Neurodivergence in a World That Hasn’t Caught Up with Amanda Losch Artwork

The Sparkle Project

The version of motherhood we're sold looks nothing like the one we're actually living. That's by design.

The Sparkle Project is for the moms who are done pretending otherwise, and ready to reclaim the parts of themselves that got lost along the way. Hosted by Emily MacDonald, a single mom, feminist, and late-diagnosed ADHDer, each episode digs into the identity shifts, invisible labor, and systemic failures that make motherhood so hard. You'll hear from the experts, advocates, and real women who are finding their way back to themselves, so you can feel less alone in the hard parts and more like yourself in all the rest.

Somewhere between the mental load and the mom guilt, your shine is still there. The Sparkle Project is your space to find it.

(Formerly Worthy Mother Podcast)

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The Sparkle Project

Motherhood & Neurodivergence in a World That Hasn’t Caught Up with Amanda Losch

September 30, 2025 • Episode 168

0:00 | 50:14

Motherhood is already complex, but when neurodivergence, medical needs, and systemic gaps are part of the picture, the challenges (and the growth) can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Emily is joined by Amanda Losch, a complex trauma therapist and neurodivergent mom, to unpack the realities of raising neurodivergent children while navigating your own late diagnosis, overstimulation, rage, shame, and the myths of the “perfect mother.”

You’ll hear about:

Amanda’s late autism diagnosis alongside her child’s journey
The hidden rage and sensory overload so many moms experience
Breaking down shame and finding self-compassion in motherhood
Creative ways to navigate hygiene, potty training, and daily care
The harmful narratives around autism and why systemic support is desperately needed
Why self-care and community care matter for parents of neurodivergent kids

This conversation is real, raw, and full of validation for every mom who has ever thought, “I didn’t think I’d be this way as a mom.” If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another mama who needs to hear she’s not alone.

🔗 Connect with Amanda:

Instagram: @complex.motherhood and @ndfamilyguide

✨ Let’s keep the convo going:

Follow Emily on Instagram → @honestlyemilyrose
Follow the podcast on TikTok → @worthymotherpodcast

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