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Was it mental illness, or was it just a young boy with a vivid imagination?

In this episode of TheNeuroPod, James Kenyon (The Wingman) and James “Maverick” Hollis take to the neurodiverse skies to revisit the primary school years—specifically age 10. Maverick opens up about a startling memory from the 1990s: being flagged by teachers for potential "schizophrenia" simply because his imaginary play was so intense.

The duo explores how Maverick created an imaginary "Sergeant Major" to provide the motivation and support he wasn't getting in the classroom. They discuss the trauma of negative reinforcement, the fear behind being the "best-behaved" child, and the crushing moment a Headmaster tried to write off his future—and how his parents fought back.

It’s a raw look at how curiosity is often killed by impatience, and why neurodivergent kids need community, not just labels.

00:00 – Intro: The Neurodiverse Skies

01:50 – The "Schizophrenia" Label: Misunderstanding Autism in the 90s

04:39 – Meet the Sergeant Major: Imaginary friends as a survival tactic

09:23 – Rules & Anxiety: Being "good" out of fear

11:46 – The Maths Meltdown: A case study in negative reinforcement

16:24 – Killing Curiosity: "You should know the answer" 21:09 – The Headmaster who wrote me off (and the parents who didn't)

25:55 – Maverick’s Message: Patience and inquisitiveness

• The Misdiagnosis Danger: How vivid autistic imagination and loneliness were mistaken for schizophrenia by concerned teachers in the 90s.
• Coping Mechanisms: Maverick created an imaginary "Sergeant Major" to offer the encouragement and motivation he lacked from peers.
• Fear-Based Compliance: Being the "rule follower" at school wasn't always about respect; often, it was about avoiding the sensory overload of being shouted at.
• Negative vs. Positive Reinforcement: How a lack of patience in Maths crushed confidence, while autonomy in French allowed Maverick to soar.
• The Power of Advocacy: The critical moment Maverick’s parents refused to accept the school's low expectations for his future.
• Teacher Tip: Never shut down a "basic" question. Inquisitiveness is the engine of learning.
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Support our NeuroInclusion Odyssey for the price of a pint!

Join the Pint Club on Patreon (**£6/month**) → bonus behind the scenes content, patreon shout out in our shows, and have real impact on NeuroInclusion. 👉 patreon.com/c/NeuroPod

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Follow TheNeuroPod on:

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TheNeuroPod is written and presented by James Hollis and James Kenyon.

Producer: Veronika Ipser

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#NeuroInclusion #AuDHD #AutismAwareness #Neurodivergent #UKPodcast #ActuallyAutistic

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James Kenyon sits down to chat with co-host James “Maverik” Hollis and explore Maverik’s undiagnosed autistic childhood in the 1990s at primary school – Maverik talks of his struggle with maths, bullying, masking, and the rare moments of real connection that kept him going.

In this raw and relatable conversation, Maverik (James Hollis) opens up to James Kenyon about growing up as an undiagnosed autistic kid in primary school. He shares the frustration of being labelled a “slow learner” (especially in maths), how certain teaching styles left him lost, and the daily reality of bullying and social exclusion. Yet there were bright spots: languages came naturally, history became a refuge, and carefully planned playground games gave him the predictability he craved.

The two Jameses reflect on how small changes – more practical teaching, interest-led friendships, and genuine inclusion – could have transformed those years, and what today’s schools can still learn from Maverik’s story.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Neurodivergence and Personal Stories

01:51 Challenges in Learning: A Personal Reflection

03:41 The Impact of Teaching Methods on Learning

05:55 Social Dynamics and Bullying in School

10:06 Finding Connection: Friendships and Interests

12:54 The Role of Predictability in Coping Strategies

18:30 The Importance of Inclusion in Education

Key Takeaways

• Maverik proudly identifies as autistic and AuDHD
• Being called a “slow learner” was deeply unfair – the teaching style was the problem, not him
• Maths felt impossible; languages clicked instantly
• Bullying and exclusion were daily realities
• True friendships formed over shared special interests (especially history)
• Planning games and routines were vital coping tools
• Moments of real inclusion were rare but life-changing
• Neuro-inclusive classrooms should actively connect kids with similar passions

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Support our NeuroInclusion Odyssey for the price of a pint!

Join the Pint Club on Patreon (**£6/month**) → bonus behind the scenes content, patreon shout out in our shows, and have real impact on NeuroInclusion. 👉 patreon.com/c/NeuroPod

---

Follow TheNeuroPod on:

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

---

TheNeuroPod is written and presented by James Hollis and James Kenyon.

Producer: Veronika Ipser

---

#NeuroInclusion #AuDHD #AutismAwareness #Neurodivergent #UKPodcast #ActuallyAutistic

Episode 1: “I feel the need… the need for NeuroInclusion!” – Autism and Early Years

James Kenyon sits down with his co-host, 'Top Gun' fanatic, James 'Maverik' Hollis to explore Maverik’s undiagnosed autistic childhood. From sensory overload and emotional explosions to the passions that kept him flying high — this is the authentic story of a proud autistic voice.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Neuro Inclusion

01:35 James's Early Years and Learning Challenges

04:40 Social Interactions and Friendships

09:05 Sports and Competitive Spirit

12:57 Passions: Steam Engines and Military History

21:02 Artistic Expression and Sketching

28:28 Managing Emotions and Sensory Overload

30:34 Key Takeaways on Neuro Inclusion

Key Takeaway: Early support could have changed everything.

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Support our NeuroInclusion Odyssey for the price of a pint!

Join the Pint Club on Patreon (**£6/month**) → bonus behind the scenes content, patreon shout out in our shows, and have real impact on NeuroInclusion. 👉 patreon.com/c/NeuroPod

---

Follow TheNeuroPod on:

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

---

TheNeuroPod is written and presented by James Hollis and James Kenyon.

Producer: Veronika Ipser

---

#NeuroInclusion #AuDHD #AutismAwareness #Neurodivergent #UKPodcast

Let it be known that we, Messrs’ James Hollis and James Kenyon, have now officially launched our NeuroDivergence and NeuroInclusion Podcast -

The NeuroPod.

As proud AuDHD North East of England graduates, come and join our dynamic duo where we will discuss all things NeuroDivergence and NeuroInclusion as we tour the Northern UK heartlands, and continue the conversation internationally across the English Channel in some of Europe’s most historic cities.

But remaining with the United Kingdom to begin with, we are delighted to announce that the first stop on our epic Neuro-Odyssey will be….Liverpool!

Ever wondered what to do with the rest of your NeuroDivergent lives once you leave school or graduate from university? Want to deal effectively with an annoying line manager while still thriving in your career? Want to know who’s in and who’s out when dating and seeking NeuroDivergent romance?

If you’re enticed by all of these prospects and more, don’t delay - follow our YouTube page as we debate and discuss NeuroDivergence with our lively discussions, Q&A sessions, and special guest appearances. And may we also give advanced notice of our much anticipated departure from King’s Cross Platform 9 3⁄4 for what promises to be a tour de force of NeuroDivergent Hogwarts.

In the meantime, please enjoy a short clip from our first introductory discussion where we give our listeners an idea of the hopes that we have for The NeuroPod.

Finally, please give this post a like and a share if you think that your network connections may benefit from learning about The NeuroPod or if you are keen to support our vital work in spreading our positive message of NeuroDivergence and NeuroInclusion.