In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan is back from Canada and Simon has just turned 30! We talk our travels, big birthdays and the challenges of obtaining ADHD medication. We share our personal experiences with the medication methylphenidate and how it has helped manage the more disabling sides of our Neurodivergence, the lack of understanding and support from healthcare professionals, and why people should treat ADHD as a life long condition. We cover how we use stimulants like caffeine, exercise and how medication affects our brains and provide relief from the more challenging aspects of ADHD.

Takeaways

• ADHD medication can be life-changing for Neurodivergent individuals, helping them manage their symptoms as it can improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of accidents and premature deaths.
• The process of obtaining ADHD medication can be challenging, with issues such as limited availability, brand preferences, and difficulty in accessing the correct dosage.
• Healthcare professionals should have a comprehensive understanding of both ADHD and autism to provide appropriate support and treatment.
• There is a need for a more holistic approach to neurodivergent conditions, where individuals are assessed for their specific difficulties and abilities rather than being categorized into separate diagnoses.
• The current system of managing ADHD medication is often frustrating and lacks empathy and understanding for the needs of neurodivergent individuals.
• Mindfulness can be a helpful tool for managing ADHD symptoms, but it may need to be adapted to suit individual needs and preferences.

Get an Autism and ADHD assessment in the UK with https://www.rtnmentalhealthsolutions.com/ Use the Discount Code RTN23 when you make your initial enquiry through the RTN website or the website portal.

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"One of the key disability sides of my hyper focus is that I can hyper focus on things that I don't like and can be quite distressing to think about."

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss neurodivergent abilities versus disabilities. We share personal experiences and insights into how hyper-focus and tree learning, anxiety, and eidetic memory are both abilities and disabilities. We talk about difficulties processing empathy, deep emotions and how these impact their lives, plus our experiences with exceptional memories and how it can be both a gift and a burden.

Takeaways

• Hyper-focus and tree learning are common traits in neurodivergent individuals, allowing them to deeply explore and understand specific subjects.
• Anxiety can be both helpful and disabling, providing heightened awareness but also causing distress and physical symptoms.
• Eidetic memory, or the ability to recall detailed sensory information, can be both a gift and a burden, impacting daily experiences and emotional well-being.
• Hyper-empathy allows for deep connections with others but can also be disabling.
• Navigating neurodivergent experiences requires patience and not settling for less.

Get an Autism and ADHD assessment in the UK with https://www.rtnmentalhealthsolutions.com/ Use the Discount Code RTN23 when you make your initial enquiry through the RTN website or the website portal.

Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod

Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience

YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'One of the worst things that happens to neurodivergent people is their ability to trust themselves and love themselves. Bullying can shape a person's identity and have a lasting impact'

In this episode, Jordan and Simon talk to Summer Farrelly, Animal Behaviourist and Autism Advocate on the topic of bullying. We share personal experiences of being bullied, including by teachers, and highlight the long-lasting impact it can have and have had on our lives. Summer emphasizes the need for teachers to be aware of their power and the effect their words and actions can have on students and the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment in schools to prevent bullying. We touch on the issue of trolls and the lack of accountability on social media and the need for empathy, understanding, and self-reflection in online interactions.

• Bullying can have a long-lasting impact on individuals, especially during their developmental stages.
• Teachers should be aware of their power and the effect their words and actions can have on students.
• Neurodivergent individuals often have common experiences of bullying and require greater understanding and support. Bullying can have long-lasting effects on self-esteem and body image.
• Finding a supportive community and unmasking around like-minded individuals can help build trust and self-acceptance.
• Online bullying is a prevalent issue, and many people lack accountability for their actions and words.

Get an Autism and ADHD assessment in the UK with https://www.rtnmentalhealthsolutions.com/ Use the Discount Code RTN23 when you make your initial enquiry through the RTN website or the website portal.

Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod

Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience

YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.