In this episode of Autistic FM, we welcome Conner Herman, an inspiring advocate for better sleep health within the neurodivergent community. As the founder of Percy, a pioneering company focused on improving sleep quality through innovative technology, Conner shares her journey from personal struggles with postpartum depression to professional success in behavioral psychology. Her passion for understanding the crucial role of sleep in mental health shines through as she delves into the transformative power of sleep and its impact on neurodivergent individuals.

Conner's story is one of resilience and curiosity, driven by her own experiences and a desire to fill the gaps in our healthcare system. She reflects on the challenges of postpartum depression, the disconnect she felt within traditional medical practices, and her eventual realization of sleep's life-saving potential. Through candid discussions, we explore how Conner's unique perspective has guided her mission to address the critical sleep issues faced by autistic individuals.

Join us as we discuss the science behind sleep, the impact of environmental factors on rest, and the exciting developments Conner is leading with Percy. With empathy and insight, she articulates the profound necessity for tailored sleep solutions, offering a glimpse into a future where every person has access to the sleep health they deserve.

Topics covered in Episode 38

• Impact of Sleep on Mental Health: Explores how sleep deprivation interlinks with mental health issues like depression, using personal anecdotes and expert analysis.

• Behavioral Sleep Solutions: Discusses innovative approaches to improving sleep without medication, focusing on behavior modification and environmental adjustments.

• Neurodivergence and Sleep: Highlights the critical need for tailored sleep solutions within the neurodivergent community, addressing both the personal and broader systemic challenges
  

About Conner Herman

Conner is the founder of Percy, a startup based in Washington, DC that’s shaking up how we think about sleep—especially for neurodivergent folks. She’s a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) with a background in behavioral psychology, an MBA from Kellogg, and a past life as a Major and Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Air Force. Oh, and she’s also a mom of four. Basically, she knows what it means to operate on no sleep—and why that has to change.

Before Percy, Conner spent almost 20 years running Dream Team Baby, the sleep consultancy she co-founded with her business partner, Kira Ryan. They launched the first overnight sleep consulting service in Manhattan, which helped kickstart what’s now a $40M industry. Their work was featured everywhere from The Today Show to Good Morning America and Nightline, and their book The Dream Sleeper has helped countless parents get their kids (and themselves) some much-needed rest.

Now she’s taking all that experience—clinical, personal, and entrepreneurial—and pouring it into Percy. The team just wrapped up their fourth working prototype and is gearing up for pilot programs with research partners in winter 2025. Conner’s goal? To give families and healthcare providers better tools to understand and improve sleep, and to help people feel good about going to bed again.

Trigger warnings

Please note that this episode includes discussions of postpartum depression, maternal suicide, and the use of sleep aids or medication. Listen with care and consider your own needs.