SLP 347: Understanding Perfectionism: The Hidden Fear of Failure in Neurodiverse Students (AS, ADHD, ODD, PDA, OCD)

SLP 347: Understanding Perfectionism: The Hidden Fear of Failure in Neurodiverse Students (AS, ADHD, ODD, PDA, OCD)

Author: Sue Larkey June 8, 2026 Duration: 26:43

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference.

✅ Core Understanding: Perfectionism in neurodivergent kids stems from anxiety, not standards.
✅ ADHD Perfectionism: Won't start, gives up quickly, fears failure intensely.
✅ ODD Perfectionism: Refusal and arguing mask deep vulnerability and control needs.
✅ PDA Perfectionism: Loss of control drives anxiety-driven demand avoidance.
✅ Autism Perfectionism: Rigidity and repetition needed for predictability and rightness.
✅ OCD Perfectionism: Checking behaviors prevent feared catastrophes from happening.
✅ Key Strategy: Tailor support by understanding each diagnosis's underlying drivers.

Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below

suelarkey.com.au/perfectionism-in-neurodiverse-children

Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast

www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/

Join my Neurodiversity Network

suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/

Follow my Instagram account for regular tips

www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/

To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below.

elearning.suelarkey.com.au


The Sue Larkey Podcast-Autism (ASD), ADHD, ODD and PDA education is a practical resource for parents, educators, and carers navigating neurodiversity. Hosted by experienced teacher and consultant Sue Larkey, this podcast translates complex topics into actionable advice you can use straight away. Each episode focuses on real-world strategies for supporting children and teens across the spectrum, including those with co-occurring conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Pathological Demand Avoidance. The conversation spans from early intervention through the teenage years and into adulthood, addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities at each stage. You’ll hear clear explanations of often-misunderstood behaviours, alongside evidence-based techniques for communication, learning, and reducing anxiety in home and school settings. The tone is consistently empathetic and grounded in decades of hands-on experience, making specialist knowledge feel accessible. While the core of the podcast is Sue's direct guidance, she frequently incorporates insights from other professionals and the lived experiences of families. It’s designed to be both informative and reassuring, offering a sense of community and practical next steps. For those who want to dive deeper, show notes often point to related books and downloadable resources available on Sue's website, extending the learning from each audio session. This is a podcast that understands the daily realities of supporting neurodivergent young people, prioritizing useful takeaways over theory.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Sue Larkey Podcast - Autism (ASD), ADHD, ODD and PDA education
Podcast Episodes
SLP 355: How to Set Up a Lunchtime Club That Builds Real Friendships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:31
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. ✅ Peer Groups: Friend groups shrink and tighten around age seven. ✅ Playground: Feels like a…
SLP 353: Why Autistic Girls Mask at School and Meltdown at Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:49
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. ✅ Masking: Girls mimic peers, appearing fine while exhausted inside. ✅ After-School Meltdowns…