From Alarm to Action: The Four Rooms, Neurodivergence and Finding Your Momentum with Andy Baker
Parenting Autism and ADHDShow Notes
In this episode I’m joined by returning guest Andy Baker and Eva to talk about entrepreneurship and finding a way of working and navigating the world that truly works for you. Andy shares his four-rooms model, that helps neurodivergent people to better understand how they, as an individual, respond to pressure, generate ideas, and taking action.
Using Andy's model will help you to determine what mental state you are in at any particular moment so that you can adjust things to better navigate that task or situation. Enabling you to stop yourself from becoming stuck in overwhelm, able to take full advantage of your creative and productive periods and get into those states more often.
EPISODE REVEALS
Self-employment can provide autonomy and boost creativity, but it also involves boundaries and accountability.
For many people with ADHD, worry or pressure pushes them to enter alarm mode. A state where everything feels urgent which leads to rushing and making mistakes.
When they feel threatened many neurodiverse people withdraw. Entering the “cave room” in their mind, a state that can be difficult to emerge from.
The "studio room" state is for ideas and planning; the "workshop room" state enables you to take action. Andy explains how to enter these productive "rooms" more often.
Ask what your future self needs and try to respond with empathy rather than criticism.
BEST MOMENTS
"Everything's urgent. Everything's needs doing now - 1000 tabs open at the same time, multitasking all over the place, and generally struggling to be productive because you're too busy being busy." “It's not about beating you up. It's just about recognising where you are and which direction or what small step could I take to move me in the right direction”
ABOUT THE GUEST
https://www.able-training.co.uk/podcast/
https://www.able-training.co.uk/
Books – Targeting the positive - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Targeting-Positive-Behaviours-that-Challenge/dp/1839979003
The Momentum Room - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Momentum-Room-pressure-self-sabotage-high-performance/dp/1918283125
Previous episode with Andy Baker - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-labels-person-centred-support-for-every-child/id1810681675?i=1000729414484
RESOURCES
Famisafe Parental control App Link: https://wondersharesoftware.pxf.io/ParentingAUDHD
What to Do When Your Child Shuts Down: Real-World Parenting Strategies for Neurodivergent Kids Who Shut Down, Refuse School, or Just Stop communicating with you:
CLIFF´S SERVICES
Are you struggling with anxiety and want support from someone who has been there and come out the other side? - Message Cliff here and take advantage of his founding members offer: https://m.me/cliff.kilmister
CONTACT ME
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cliff_kilmister08
X (Twitter): https://x.com/KilmisterCliff
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cliff.kilmister
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingAutismandADHD
HOST BIO
Cliff Kilmister is a dedicated parent, advocate, and cat whisperer with firsthand experience raising a child with autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Having navigated the challenges of school refusal, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities, Cliff brings an empathetic, real-world perspective to the podcast. When he's not helping his child thrive, he’s dodging the evil stares of his three cats, who are plotting to take over the world (fortunately, they still haven’t figured out how to use the tin opener). Cliff offers practical advice, expert insights, and personal stories to help families facing similar struggles. Cliff is focused on connecting with professionals and networks to raise awareness about the growing need for the education system to adapt to the increasing neurodiverse population. Join the community on Patreon to share experiences, access exclusive content, and work together for change!
This Podcast has been brought to you by Dis
More from Parenting Autism and ADHD
If you’re a grandparent or family member supporting a neurodivergent young person, it can be hard to know what’s behind their behaviour, or how best to help. Today, we sit down with Jean Ramsay of Coaching for Schools, to talk about what she learned from a career in teaching.
If you regularly come home from work completely wiped out or spend the weekend worrying about a meeting on Monday, you are not alone, lots of neurodiverse people feel that way. Today, sit down with Jodie Steele, the founder of NeuroTalks, to discuss why that happens and what you, your employers and others can do to solve this issue.
Sarah Warley joins us to discuss her experience with appearing on Channel 4’s controversial documentary The Great ADHD Myth, including the last-minute title change, why so much of her contribution never made it into the programme, what was cut and the debate it sparked across the ADHD community.
In this fascinating episode, I’m joined by Chris Marsh, an ADHD specialist, root cause therapist and fellow neurodivergent thinker, for a deep conversation about ADHD, trauma, anxiety, productivity, healing and what it really means to be “normal.”
In this episode I sit down with autism coach Sam Loprete to talk about growing up undiagnosed, feeling “odd but not sure why,” and only later discovering you have ADHD. We swap stories about childhood moments that were seen as shyness or bad behaviour, but were really signs of overwhelm, unclear rules, and needs no one thought of.