NEURODIVERSITY
I have been working with neurodivergent clients who either have an ADHD or autism diagnosis or self-identify as having these conditions for several years now.
I initially gained some knowledge in this area when I was working in the NHS when we were provided with some information and training in both autism and ADHD. I have then gone on to do further reading in this area and also further continuous professional development training since moving into private practice. Some of the trainings I have undertaken include:-
Autism, ADHD and Trauma training
This training looked at the overlap between ADHD, ASD and trauma symptoms and was presented by the university lecturer Christiane Sanderson. This training looked at the overlapping symptoms of trauma, autism and ADHD and how people with ADHD and autism have often experienced trauma in their lives.
During this training, we covered such topics as alexithymia where people with both autism and ADHD can experience difficulties with both identifying and expressing their feelings. We also covered the topic of masking and camouflaging and how this can occur for people with both autism and ADHD and it is particularly common for women and girls to learn to mask effectively to enable them to fit into the neurotypical world.
We looked at the overlapping symptoms which can occur in people with ADHD and those who have experienced trauma including emotional dysregulation and hypervigilance. We also looked at the tendency for people with ADHD to experience depression, mood swings and feeling overwhelmed.
We also looked at how often people with ADHD can experience difficulty with relationships, including difficulty making and sustaining friendships and the common issues of procrastination, overthinking and time blindness. We also discussed how OCD is often a co-mobordity associated with both autism and trauma.
We looked at the common symptoms of ASD including difficulty with transitions and change and the preference for routines. We also looked at the difficulties with social interaction and how the feeling of being left out or excluded can contribute to an experience of anxiety, depression and shame. We also explored the issue which can exist with restrictive food intake.
Autism and women training
I have also done some continuous professional development training specifically on how autism presents in women led by an expert in autism Professor Tony Atwood. This training covered how diagnoses in women can often get missed due to the fact that they are more skilled at masking their symptoms. In this training, we covered a broad range of topics including the often co-morbidity of eating disorders which are quite prevalent amongst autistic women and girls and we discussed in general the relationship with food which some autistic women can have. We also considered the prevalence of trauma amongst autistic women.
We discussed the topic of burnout which can be often experienced by people with both autism and ADHD and how this can be experienced. We also spoke about the topic of ‘energy accounting’ and Professor Tony Atwood explained about the concept of certain activities which can be draining of your energy and certain activities which can boost your energy. The training also covered the core principles of neuroaffirming practice.
ADHD and women training
I have also done some training on how ADHD presents in women. This training covered the topics of women with ADHD and their relationships and the challenges and dynamics which they might experience. We covered topics such as emotional regulation and how women with ADHD experience this as well as the experience of rejection sensitivity dysphoria.
My own lived experience
I have also been on my own neurodiversity journey over the last few years which has resulted in an ADHD diagnosis at the age of 51. So I have my own lived experience of ADHD and have also gained much knowledge in this area through my work with clients who present with neurodivergent traits. I have been able to weave both my professional knowledge and understanding which I have gained through the different trainings I have done as well as my own lived experience into my work with clients. I very much enjoy working with clients who identify as being neurodivergent as I often feel a strong empathy and understanding of their experiences.
Upcoming workshops on Codependency and ADHD
I am planning to run some workshops on the theme of Codependency and ADHD this year and how they correlate and overlap with each other.
I have come to observe through my work with co-dependency and neurodivergence over the years that there is actually a high correlation between the two. I have discovered that a high number of clients that I have worked with who have displayed issues with co-dependency have also displayed quite high levels of neurodivergent traits including both ADHD and autism. I have therefore concluded that it would be helpful to run a workshop to enable clients to understand how these two conditions overlap and correlate and to enable them to work through some of the issues that co-dependency and ADHD can bring up.
I will be offering these workshops both online and in-person. I will be covering quite a few topics in these workshops and the workshop will be divided into 4 main parts, namely:-
Part One: Introduction
Part Two: Develop a healthier relationship with yourself
Part Three: Develop a healthier relationship with others
Part Four: Let your light shine (Fulfil your Potential)
The topics we will cover will include:-
- A discussion of traits of co-dependency and ADHD
- Discover yourself – Understanding who you are, your identity and identifying your wants and needs
- Honour Your Feelings and Use them as your Guide
- Shift your Focus (Managing Overthinking and anxious thoughts)
- Conquering your Inner-Critic
- Developing a healthier relationship with ourselves and practising self-care
- Learn how to say no and set healthy boundaries
- Learn what you are responsible for and what you are not responsible for
- Identify and harness your strengths
- Create a new vision for yourself
I plan to run this workshop on some Saturdays this year from 10am to 5pm. If you are interested in attending or finding out more please email me and I will keep you updated once dates for the workshops have been confirmed.
I look forward to seeing you there!
