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Embracing Flexibility in Time Management
The author reflects on their lifelong struggle with time management, stemming from an Autistic perspective. They discuss the pressures of punctuality instilled during childhood, resulting in anxiety and avoidance of situations where they might be late. Embracing their identity has led to a more relaxed approach to time, prioritising personal well-being over societal expectations.
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Supporting Neurodivergent Lives: Embracing Complexity
Human beings are complex. We’re constantly changing, adapting, and responding to our environments emotionally, mentally, and physically. For neurodivergent people, this complexity is often heightened by a world that isn’t built with our brains in mind. Supporting neurodivergent people means embracing the unpredictability and the chaos that makes us human. Chaos theory reminds us that…
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Navigating Work-Life Balance in PhD Pursuits
The author emphasizes that work/life balance is complex during a PhD, particularly within their community. They critique the pressure to prioritize studies, leading to burnout among students. Drawing from personal experiences, including an autism diagnosis, they advocate for self-awareness in managing mental wellbeing, while grappling with systemic challenges in academia.
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The Impact of Neurodivergence on Music Creation
Jay Munday is an ADHD musician who began guitar at 11, influenced by private lessons and college. Overcoming perfectionism, he creates music inspired by life experiences and relationships. After a mental health break, he emphasizes the importance of enjoyment in music and collaboration within a supportive community of independent artists.
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Book review: A Guide to Autism and Psychosis by David Gray-Hammond
I have had the pleasure to be one of the first readers of David Gray-Hammond‘s newest book A Guide to Autism and Psychosis: Personal and Professional Insights From A Psychotic Mind. His previous books are informative, deep and personal. They read like a love letter to the Autistic community and a protest placard to improve…
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What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) causes intense emotional distress from perceived rejection or failure, possibly linked to neurodivergence. This may lead to interpreting ambiguous interactions as rejection, anxiety before rejection, and intense emotional responses. RSD may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms include self-consciousness, depression, low self-esteem, and people-pleasing.
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Helping our younger selves
The author shares the challenges of being a neurodivergent person who wants to support others like them. They express frustration at not being taken seriously in conversations about neurodivergent children, and highlight the harmful impact of society’s attitudes. They emphasize the need for genuine understanding and support for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
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No, Joe Wicks, ADHD isn’t a dietary issue
Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, has recently suggested (on a BBC podcast) that the “surge” in childhood ADHD diagnoses is linked to poor diet. He shared: “Looking back now, there’s no doubt the food I was eating was directly linked to my behaviour. I was never diagnosed with ADHD, but I think nowadays it’s…
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UK university ethics applications – a neurodivergent nightmare?
Policies within UK universities outline that research undertaken therein requires ethical review, however the process of obtaining favourable opinion can be inaccessible to Autistic ADHD students due to ableism within Higher Education. I wanted to know whether I was the only Autistic and ADHD / Attention Hyperactive person who really struggled with my degree ethics…
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Where my OCD and Autism overlaps
It can be difficult to tell Autistic and OCD experiences apart! Some may wonder why this matters, but to manage OCD intrusive thoughts and compulsions it’s of utmost importance to understand how these two neurodivergences clash but also how they overlap. I have summarised my main experiences of being an Autistic OCDer: Autistic experiences:HyperfocusSensory differencesSocial…