24: Unschooling Neurodivergent Kids: Trusting curiosity over curriculum with Melissa Crockett-Joyoue

What if learning didn’t have to follow a curriculum?

In this deeply honest and thought-provoking conversation, Laetitia is joined by Melissa, founder of Weave ND, an online community supporting neurodivergent unschooling families around the world.

Melissa shares the personal story that led her family to unschooling — a journey that began with school refusal, trauma, and a deep realisation that traditional schooling wasn’t supporting her neurodivergent child’s wellbeing.

Together, they explore what unschooling actually means, how learning can emerge through everyday life and special interests, and why regulation and connection are the true foundations of learning.

This episode offers a powerful invitation to rethink education not as something delivered through rigid systems, but as something woven into life, curiosity and relationships.

✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 30 days – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇

🧠 What unschooling really means (and why it’s not “doing nothing”)

🧠 Why regulation and nervous system safety are essential for learning

🧠 The hidden emotional toll of forcing neurodivergent kids into unsuitable environments

🧠 How special interests can become powerful gateways to learning

🧠 Why unschooling often requires parents to do their own healing and unlearning

🧠 The importance of community support for neurodivergent parents navigating alternative education

💛 Love what you heard? Subscribe, share with your care village, and leave us a review so more families can find this support.

🔗 Try Understanding Zoe for free today

ABOUT THE GUEST 👇

Melissa lives in Aotearoa (New Zealand), is Māori, AuDHD, and the mama of two unschooled neurodivergent children.

Her own journey into unschooling began through supporting her children’s needs and discovering that traditional schooling wasn’t providing the safety, flexibility and regulation they required to thrive.

Through that experience, Melissa developed a deep passion for helping other families on similar paths.

She is the founder of Weave ND, an international online membership community supporting neurodivergent unschooling families. Her work focuses particularly on supporting neurodivergent parents and Indigenous families navigating alternative education pathways.

Melissa’s work centres on connection, community, and empowering families to trust their children’s natural curiosity and capacity to learn.

💻 Weave ND Community: https://weave-community.mn.co/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weave_nd | https://www.instagram.com/mama.weaves

🌍 The Unschooling Summit: https://www.theunschoolingsummit.org/a/2148243842/FdCazbjk

📸 Summit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunschoolingsummit

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CV2ETKab7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

ABOUT THE HOST 👇

Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.

She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.

Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.

Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.