Be Your Best Coaching

Author: Mira

  • Words Used to Talk About Neurodivergence

    Originally published on 8/14/24 as “Some Medical Vocab”

    People use words like disability, disorder, and conditions to describe brains that work in different ways. Learning what these words mean can help you understand your strengths. When you know your strengths, you can find smart ways to handle challenges—and keep following your passions.

    • Condition: A label for a group of physical, mental health, or brain-based challenges that get in the way of everyday activities.
    • Developmental Condition: These are brain-based conditions that last a person’s whole life. They are usually noticed when people are very young, and they can make it harder to learn, remember, and do everyday things. This can cause challenges with school, relationships, and important life skills. I like to call them neurodivergent conditions.
    • Disability: A condition (physical, mental, or brain-based) that makes daily life harder and changes how a person lives and how others see them.
    • Disorder: When the body or brain doesn’t work normally because of a disease, family history, or an accident.
    • Diagnosis: A label that helps explain why someone might learn, think, feel, and act differently in ways that can cause challenges in their daily life.
    • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM): The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is a guide doctors use to diagnose mental health and neurodivergent conditions. The most recent version is the DSM-5-TR.
    • Mental Health Conditions: These are brain-based conditions that make it harder to handle stress and emotions. They can change over time and affect how someone thinks, feels, and acts. Mental health conditions can make it difficult to use skills to respond to stress in healthy ways, sometimes in ways you can’t see.

    Common Neurodivergent Conditions

    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Makes it hard to manage attention and emotions. People with ADHD often have lots of energy or racing thoughts and sometimes need to move more (hyperactivity). But they are also creative and strong advocates for change.
    • Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD/NLD): People with NVLD are often good at saying and writing how they feel but think, plan, and connect with others differently. This can make school, friendships, and everyday life harder. NVLD isn’t in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, so many doctors don’t know about it. That can make it hard to get diagnosed and treated correctly.
    • Specific Learning Disability (SLD): Conditions that make reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), or math (dyscalculia) hard. Many people with dyslexia are good at understanding pictures and patterns.
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Makes it harder to understand hidden clues about what others mean and other social skills. People with ASD may also struggle to understand their own thoughts and feelings and can be sensitive to sensory signals. They often have amazing attention to detail.
    • Tourette Syndrome: A condition that causes repeated movements or sounds (tics) that are hard to control.

    Common Mental Health Conditions

    • Major Depressive Disorder: Feeling sad or less interested in things for a long time.
    • Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Worrying a lot about things that might not happen.
    • Social Anxiety Disorder: Feeling very nervous or embarrassed around other people.
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Having strong thoughts that something bad will happen (obsessions) and feeling you must do certain actions (compulsions) to stop them.

    Note on Health Issues and Neurodivergence

    People with some medical conditions are more likely to have neurodivergent traits, even if they don’t have a diagnosis. These conditions include:

    • Turner Syndrome
    • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
    • Epilepsy
    • Down syndrome
    • Williams syndrome
    • Autoimmune disorders

    References

    1. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).
    2. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Anxiety Disorders. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). 
    3. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). 
    4. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Mood Disorders. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). 
    5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Developmental Disabilities. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/index.html
    6. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2017, July 1). Autism’s Clinical Companions: Frequent Comorbidities with ASD. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. https://www.chop.edu/news/autism-s-clinical-companions-frequent-comorbidities-asd
    7. Donaghy, B., Moore, D., & Green, J. (2023). Co-Occurring Physical Health Challenges in Neurodivergent Children and Young People: A Topical Review and Recommendation. Child Care in Practice, 29(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2022.2149471
    8. Frolov, L., & Schaepper, M. A. (2021). What Is Specific Learning Disorder? American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/specific-learning-disorder/what-is-specific-learning-disorder#section_5
    9. Lalit, S. (2021, October 2). Difference between Disease, Syndrome, Disorder and Condition. Wecapable.com.  https://wecapable.com/difference-disease-syndrome-disorder-condition/
    10. Lyons, H. (2021). How are Developmental Disorders Different than Mental Illnesses? https://withtherapy.com/therapist-insights/how-are-developmental-disorders-different-than-mental-illnesses/#:~:text=While%20developmental%20disabilities%20are%20typically,can%20also%20begin%20during%20adulthood.
    11. Reling, J. (n.d.). Autism and Common Chronic Physical Health Issues. James Reling – Neurodivergent Therapy & Assessments. https://www.oregonneuroception.com/blog/autism-and-chronic-physical-health-conditions
    12. Resnick, A. (2023, November 2). What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-neurodivergence-and-what-does-it-mean-to-be-neurodivergent-5196627
    13. Sulkes, S. B. (2022a). Definition of Developmental Disorders. Merck Manual: Consumer Version. The https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/learning-and-developmental-disorders/definition-of-developmental-disorders
    14. Sulkes, S. B. (2022b). Learning Disorders. Merck Manual: Consumer Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/learning-and-developmental-disorders/learning-disorders

  • Who Diagnoses and Treats Neurodivergent Conditions?

    Originally published 8/8/24

    Who Can Diagnose and Prescribe Medication

    • Primary Care Doctor: Regular doctors who can diagnose and prescribe medicine for medical and mental health issues, including ADHD. Some are MDs (Medical Doctors) or DOs (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine). DOs also learn about diet and exercise.
    • Pediatricians: Doctors for children. They can diagnose and prescribe medicine for kids with medical or mental health conditions, including ADHD.
    • APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses): Nurses with extra training who can diagnose and prescribe medicine for medical and mental health conditions, including ADHD.
    • Neurologists: Doctors who treat problems with the brain, like epilepsy and severe headaches. They can also diagnose some neurodivergent conditions.

    Who Can Diagnose, Prescribe Medication, and Provide Therapy

    • Psychiatrists: Doctors who help with mental health and neurodivergent conditions. They can diagnose, prescribe medicine, and sometimes give therapy.

    Who Can Only Diagnose Some Things

    • Educational Psychologists: They can diagnose learning disabilities if they have special training. They can also help with ADHD advice.
    • School Psychologists: In private practice, they can diagnose learning disabilities, but not ADHD or autism.

    Who Can Diagnose and Provide Therapy

    • Neuropsychologists: Specialists who test for and diagnose neurodivergent, neurological, and mental health conditions. They explain what the results mean for school, work, and daily life.
    • Clinical Psychologists: Mental health professionals with a PhD. They diagnose and treat mental health and neurodivergent conditions using therapy.
    • Therapists: They help people with mental health and neurodivergent conditions using talk therapy. They can diagnose mental health issues and sometimes ADHD. Types include social workers, counselors, and marriage/family therapists.

    Who Can Help Diagnose and Provide Therapy

    • Speech and Language Therapists: They help people who have trouble communicating because of medical, neurological, or neurodivergent conditions. They can also help with social skills.
    • Occupational Therapists: They help people who have trouble doing daily tasks because of medical, neurological, or neurodivergent conditions.
    • Physical Therapists: They help people who have trouble moving because of medical, neurological, or neurodivergent conditions.

    Who Can Only Provide Therapy

    • Vocational/Career Counselors: They help people with medical, neurological, or mental health conditions find jobs and plan careers. Vocational counselors often work with state programs.
    • School Counselors: They give therapy at school for students with learning or mental health challenges.
    • ADHD/Executive Functioning Coaches: They teach skills to people with neurodivergent conditions.

    Who Can Only Give Assessments

    • Educational Specialists: They check for mental health and learning challenges at school.

    References

  • Guide to Getting Diagnosed – For Tweens & Up

    Originally published 8/6/2024 as “Guide to Getting Diagnosed”

    Do you think you might be neurodivergent? Are you considering getting diagnosed and starting treatment? Here’s how to get started on your journey.

    Start By Identifying Your Challenges

    You might think you’re neurodivergent, or maybe a family member, teacher, or guidance counselor does. 

    Either way, get curious.

    1. Notice patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
    2. Do research and see if they match common neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions. You can scroll through my blog to get started.
    3. You may want to fill out an online screening test for your age group to bring to your appointment. ADDitude has some great ones.

    Steps to Getting Diagnosed and Starting Treatment

    1. Talk to a family member, primary care doctor, therapist, or another trusted adult (like a school counselor). Ask if they’ve noticed the same issues and what they think you should do. Family members can be helpful because ADHD and autism are often genetic. 
    2. Get tested. You may do testing through your school. If not, ask your regular doctor or therapist for their opinion. They will likely recommend seeing someone who can diagnose neurodivergent conditions, like a therapist or a neuropsychologist. Note: Free testing through your school is often less thorough and takes longer. Neuropsychological testing might be covered by your insurance, but it can still be expensive. However, there are many resources to help cut the costs.  Marker Learning is a great one.
    3. See any specialists your doctor or therapist recommends. Your therapist, specialist, or primary care doctor will diagnose you and discuss treatment options. 
    4. They might send you to another specialist for more evaluation, especially if medication is an option. 
    5. Evaluate treatment options with the help of your parents or another family member. This includes medications or therapies discussed with your regular doctor and specialists, and school or work accommodations.

    Example from a Friend with ADHD

    1. Her guidance counselor in high school recommended she take the Vanderbilt ADHD test because she was struggling in school.
    2. My friend asked her primary care doctor to give it to her.
    3. She took the test, and her doctor diagnosed her with ADHD.
    4. She was able to get medication, school accommodations, and other self-help resources, which really helped her.

    References

    1. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Types of Mental Health Care Professionals. https://adaa.org/find-help/treatment-help/types-of-therapy/types-of-mental-health-care-professionals
    2. Mental Health America. Types of Mental Health Professionals. https://mhanational.org/types-mental-health-professionals
    3. Ross Kidder, K. Assessment for Adults with LD and/or ADHD. LD Online. https://www.ldonline.org/ld-topics/evaluation-ld-testing/assessment-adults-ld-andor-adhd
    4. Seladi-Schulman, J. Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: What to Know. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/occupational-therapy-vs-physical-therapy#about-occupational-therapy
    5. Mattheisen, M., Grove, J., Als, T.D. et al. (2022). Identification of shared and differentiating genetic architecture for autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and case subgroups. Nat Genet (54), 1470–1478. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-022-01171-3

  • My Favorite Resources for Neurodivergents

    Originally published 8/6/2024

    Over the years, I’ve discovered some great places to learn more about what it means to be neurodivergent, the different intervention options, connect, and some life hack tools. Here are some appropriate for middle school and older.

    Focused on Neurodivergent Conditions

    ADDitude: https://www.additudemag.com/

    • Online screening tools for ADHD and common co-occurring conditions 
    • Information on evidence-based interventions for ADHD.
    • Information on developmental, specific learning, and mental health conditions commonly co-occurring with ADHD and interventions.
    • Strategies to address everyday challenges related to ADHD and other learning differences, including from people with those conditions 
    • ADD provider directory
    • Additional resources for parents, educators, and providers 
    • Webinars for educators, parents, family members, and individuals with ADHD that also show up on the ADHD Experts Podcast

    Attention Deficit Disorder Association: https://add.org/

    • Geared towards adults
    • Online screening tools for ADHD
    • Information on evidence-based interventions for ADHD
    • Strategies to address everyday challenges related to ADHD
    • Online workshops and other learning opportunities for individuals, parents, and professionals
    • Virtual support groups 

    Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD): www.chadd.org

    • Information on ADHD, related challenges, and evidence-based interventions 
    • Detailed information on how ADHD presents differently in girls and women and unique treatment needs  
    • Information on developmental, specific learning, and mental health conditions commonly co-occurring with ADHD and interventions
    • Strategies to address everyday challenges related to ADHD.
    • ADHD provider and resource directory.
    • Additional resources for parents, educators, and providers 

    Aspire: the Female Autism Network: https://aspirefemaleautismnetwork.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwAR28wrVJoP7JzgEnUfMDs6O2SorvolNXB9-wjBSHU2FohzonwXh–lN-Q5c

    • How ASD looks different in girls and women, including commonly co-occurring developmental, specific learning, and mental health conditions
    • The unique everyday challenges experienced by girls and women with ASD and strategies to address those challenges. 
    • Information on seeking an evaluation, receiving a diagnosis, and getting educational and workplace accommodations.
    • Community support 
    • Additional resources. 

    Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE): www.aane.org

    • Educational resources on challenges commonly experienced by individuals with ASD and intervention options. 
    • Educational resources for women with ASD and parents of girls with ASD, including addressing unique everyday challenges and overcoming barriers to accessing appropriate interventions.   
    • Provider directory, including neuropsychologists
    • Community support, including meet-ups 
    • Additional support for family, friends, and providers 

    Embrace Autism: https://embrace-autism.com

    Embrace is a highly strengths-based website created by two female researchers. Both have psychology backgrounds and are autistic. One is a registered psychotherapist. The other is in training and also has ADHD (a common term for that combination is AuHD). The website is designed uniquely for the accessibility needs of individuals with ASD. It has information on:

    • Strengths and challenges associated with ASD
    • Common co-occurring mental health, developmental, and physical health conditions
    • Common everyday challenges, including social and mental health
    • Solutions to those challenges, including strengths-based interventions
    • Current research on ASD
    • The diagnostic process
    • Evidence-based quick screeners
    • Experiences of individuals with autism

    The NVLD Project: https://nvld.org/

    • Challenges common among individuals with NVLD and interventions.
    • Strategies to address everyday challenges, including from people with NVLD
    • Information on NVLD from experts. 
    • Additional resources for adolescents, adults, educators, and providers, including community support 

    Learning Disability Association of America (LDA): https://ldaamerica.org/

    • Information on specific learning disabilities and developmental conditions often present in individuals with specific learning disabilities 
    • Information on common interventions for specific learning disabilities and related developmental conditions, including accommodations 
    • Strategies to address everyday challenges.  
    • Additional resources for parents, educators, and providers

    Understood: https://www.understood.org/

    • Information on specific learning disabilities and developmental conditions
    • Information on common interventions for specific learning disabilities and common conditions
    • Strategies to address everyday challenges
    • Lots of information on special education and school accommodations

    Mental Health and Social Skills Tools

    Mindfulness Meditation

    • Insight Meditation Timer: Includes the most guided meditations for free
    • 10 Percent Happier App: You have to pay to get the most bang for your buck, but I promise it’s worth it. It has different courses and meditations for every need. There’s also a free podcast. Your subscription comes with a free one for a friend or family member. 
    • Calm App: Has guided meditations and sleep stories. However, it’s one of those where you really need to access most features. 

    Tapping

    • The Tapping Solution App. I have found tapping amazing for my ADHD and general mental health. The app has a free version that has a great intro to tapping and some basic guided practices.
    • Brad Yates – Tap with Brad (Youtube Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@tapwithbrad

    Social Thinking. Amazing books and free resources for all ages teach social skills by applying mindfulness to social situations. They are also helpful for people with NVLD.

    Focused on General Life Skills

    Jessica McCabe’s YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD/videos

    How to ADHD is a YouTube channel that covers all things, as the title would suggest, ADHD. Discussing topics from social skills to motivation, this YouTube channel is a great resource for those who have just been diagnosed and want to learn more about the disorder. Jessica also teaches her viewers to have a sense of humor about their ADHD. 

    Handwriting Without Tears. Amazing at home programs for anyone who has problems with handwriting. They have versions for all ages.

    Cooper Hurley, Getting to School Safely: cooperhurley.com/getting-to-school-safely/. This is an awesome resource about overall school safety.

    Focused on Mental Health Conditions

    International OCD Foundation: https://iocdf.org/

    • Information on OCD and its treatment
    • Information on conditions that often occur with OCD
    • Provider directory
    • Resources for family, educators, and professionals
    • Community support

    Anxiety & Depression Association of America:www.adaa.org

    • Information on different types of anxiety and depression and their treatment
    • Provider directory
    • Community support

    CDC Mental Health: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm

    • Information on different mental health conditions and their treatments for children and adults 
    • Information on how different stressors can impact mental health 
    • Tips for coping with everyday stressors to promote mental health 
    • Mental health crisis resources
    • Information on how to get help and provider directories 

    Focused on Assistive Technology

    LD Resources Foundation

    https://www.ldrfa.org/assistive-technology-apps-and-tools-for-students-adults-with-dyslexia/

    An overview of technology tools for students with dyslexia. 

    Good Sensory Learning

    Link: https://goodsensorylearning.com/pages/assistive-technology-for-dyslexia

    A helpful list of computer programs, apps, and other learning aids. 

    The Dyslexia Resource

    https://dyslexiaresource.org/using-the-dyslexia-font-and-other-assisitive-technologies

    Information on fonts that are more readable for students with dyslexia.  

    Bookshare

    Link: https://www.bookshare.org/cms/

    Bookshare is a library of nonfiction and fiction books available in multiple formats, including audio, created for students who learn differently. It’s free to join.

    Kurzweil

    Link: https://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html

    Description: Kurzweil can read out loud textbooks and PDFs (including anything downloaded from Bookshare). I highly recommend it or something similar to what your school provides. 

    Grammarly

    Link: https://app.grammarly.com/

    Description: Grammarly is an excellent free grammar and spelling checker. I highly recommend it or something similar to what your school provides. 

    Open Dyslexic Font

    Link: https://opendyslexic.org/

    This free font was developed to be more readable for students with dyslexia. However, many other types of neurodivergence also find it helpful. 

    Focused on Work and School 

    Job Accommodations Network (JAN): https://askjan.org

    • There are lots of great ideas for potentially helpful accommodations for developmental and other learning conditions.
    • Free, confidential advice
    • Information on the Americans with Disability Act is the core of federal laws requiring equal access to education, work, and public places.

    Starkloff Career Academy: https://starkloff.org/services/starkloff-career-academy/

    This is an excellent free program for people with physical, learning, and developmental conditions that teaches you how to approach applying for jobs and advocating for your life. It includes virtual group sessions and access to a career coach with a condition. 

    Contributions from the Community

    http://abamastersprograms.org/thriving-in-college-with-adhd/

    http://onlinespeechpathologyprograms.org/thriving-adult-dyslexia/

    https://onlinemftprograms.com/affordable/

    https://abamastersprograms.org/best-online-aba-programs

    https://npprograms.org/np-programs-no-gre/

    https://onlinespeechpathologyprograms.org/fully-online

    https://schoolcounselingmasters.org/
    https://californiadegrees.org/mental-health/california-aba-programs/
    https://mastersinpublicadministration.org/cheapest-mpa-programs/

    dibellalawoffice.com/public-transportation-safety-guide-for-kids/

     

    Just For Older Teens and Up

    ADHD for Smart Women: https://adhdforsmartwomen.com/

    I debated adding this one but couldn’t resist because it’s so amazing. I’ve fallen hook, line, and sinker, and many of my friends have too. Tracy Otsuka has a life-changing, empowering approach to thriving with the strengths and challenges associated with being neurodivergent, with a focus on ADHD. She’s kind of my inspiration in life.

    She has a book and podcast called ADHD for Smart Ass Women, which is the reason I was conflicted. 

    Her podcast interviews very successful women with ADHD in various fields and with various neurodivergent conditions and covers tons of topics. Her book covers the same issues and more on using your strengths and values to find your purpose and then aligning that with your career. When you buy it, you can access many additional great resources, including free webinars. 

    In addition to her podcast, her website also has a lot of great free information on ADHD. I love her free ADHD symptom checklist for women: https://www.tracyotsuka.com/adhd-checklist/

    She also has an incredible online Facebook Community named after her podcast and book, a planner you can purchase on her website, a recently released paid daily podcast with a blend of 10-minute positive morning practices, and webinars and courses based on her approach to finding your purpose and thriving. I mean, what hasn’t this woman done? 

    OK, enough gushing. Tracy, if you happen to read this post one day for some wacky reason, you’ve gotten me through some very tough times, and I’d love to be on your podcast. 

    Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): https://autisticadvocacy.org

    It is all about advocating for yourself at school, work, and with your care team, as well as information on legislation relevant to disabilities and advocacy opportunities. It’s centered on autism, but much of the information applies to other neurodivergent conditions. 

    The CBT Workbook for Adult ADHD by Kristen Baird-Goldman

    A workbook that adapts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy principles for the ADHD brain, incorporating executive functioning hacks. Created by a woman with ADHD and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. 

    Unlock Your Career Potential: A Course for Neurodivergent Adults and Teens by Shell Mendelson

    Shell Mendelson is a certified Career Coach who has ADHD. She’s taken her years of lived experience and training and adapted the classic What Color Is Your Parachute system for discovering your ideal career for the neurodivergent brain. Her book is available in physical or digital form.

    ADHD & Us: A Couple’s Guide to Loving and Living with Adult ADHD by Anita Robertson

    A workbook for neurodivergent couples by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and ADHD Certified Clinical Service Provider with ADHD who specializes in therapy for neurodivergent couples. 

    Misnamed, Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood: Recognizing and Coping with NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder) from Childhood Through Adulthood by Linda Karanzalis

    Linda is the founder of ADDvantages Learning Center, which provides various educational services for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. This book is about her experiences living with both NVLD and ADHD. Her website also has a lot of helpful information on NVLD

  • Thank You, Neurodivergent Brain

    Originally published 12/30/2023

    I have ADHD and NVLD. That makes me neurodivergent, a term for someone with a brain wired to think differently. There’s disagreement about what specific conditions qualify as neurodivergent. I define it as anyone who has ADHD, Nonverbal Learning “Disability” (NVLD/NLD), Autism Spectrum “Disorder,” or any Learning Disability. (I greatly prefer the term condition).

    Although being neurodivergent comes with many challenges, like needing to write down anything that requires remembering details, it is also the source of some of my greatest strengths. These look different for everyone, typically between women and girls and boys and men, too.

    One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to remember that your frustrating quirks allow you to accomplish things that no one else can. I know many other girls and women with ADHD and NVLD who can relate to some of the same things, and learning about those shared experiences has gotten me through some very challenging times. So, without more delay, here is my list:

    1. I get the most random bursts of energy in the morning. It can be hard to sit still for school and get annoying to the non-morning people in my life (AKA most of them), but it makes it easy to accomplish a lot quickly, leaving room for more things I enjoy.
    2. Sometimes, my brain can’t stop making new connections. I get some pretty cool ideas at the most random times. Some are more productive – like my coaching groups – and some less so – like a roadside tunnel and bridge system that allows animals of various sizes to cross safely. I always need to keep a notebook around to jot them down so I can refocus on things with deadlines, but everything has a tradeoff.
    3. I’m an extreme extrovert. I love meeting new kinds of people and hearing their stories. I do my best work when I can listen to people around me talking about ordinary things, like at cafes.
    4. When a friend is in need, nothing I’m dealing with matters anymore, and I’m fully present to help them in any way possible.  
    5. I’m incredibly curious. When something interests me, and I’m bored, I can go down these insane Internet rabbit holes, a form of hyperfocus. Sometimes, the rabbit holes are for things that aren’t that important – for example, if anyone else thinks Anne Shirley had ADHD traits (the answer is yes, see the journal article referenced at the end of this post) – but other times, they lead to discoveries that help flesh out my ideas, like when I realized that there were no evidence-based psychotherapies for neurodivergent girls with anxiety disorders. Or I seek out formal learning opportunities on the topic. That’s why I took clinical psychology courses, research, sociology, positive psychology, health psychology, community nutrition, health communication, and organizational behavior and communication as an undergraduate.
    6. When I’m determined to do something, NOTHING can stop me from giving it my all. Especially being told that I can’t, or it isn’t practical. Once I have an idea and finally have the time, I don’t know the meaning of “Are you sure you aren’t taking on too much?” And I hyperfocus until I’m ready to share whatever it is with friends and family (sometimes whether they like it or not).
    7. I have a strong sense of social justice and lots of drive. Let’s be honest. To quote Maya Rudolph in The Good Place, “Earth is a mess, you all.” But I firmly believe – to quote Margaret Mead – “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I believe this happens when individuals with lots of chutzpah empower others with similar challenges and just as much chutzpah to be vocal about those challenges – whether through social media or advocating for legislation. And empowering others means giving people the resources and tools they need to have that capacity. That’s why I’m a Community Organizing major in my Master of Social Work program, but I’m determined to get my clinical licensure.

    And here is a list of some of my favorite neurodivergent women who own it:

    • Emma Watson – Combined Type ADHD. Actress and women’s rights advocate.
    • Zoey Deschanel – ADHD. Open about her coping mechanisms.
    • Florence Welch – Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Singer/songwriter who empowers other neurodivergent women.
    • Simone Biles – ADHD. Gymnast who refuses to let the hoops of getting treatment keep her from performing at her best. 
    • Sophia Amoruso – ADHD. Founder of NastyGal. Origin of #GirlBoss. She names several traits associated with ADHD as some of what led to the rise and fall of her business. She is dedicated to building a community for young female entrepreneurs, so they have the support she didn’t.
    • Greta Thurnberg – Autism and OCD. 20-year-old Swedish climate policy advocate and autism activist. She’s been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times.
    • Greta Gerwig. ADHD. A film director who has helped break the Hollywood glass ceiling.
    • Daryl Hannah. Autism. Actress, environmental, and autism advocate.

    References