Podcast Summary
ADHD and Dyslexia Overlap: ADHD and dyslexia often co-occur and individuals with both conditions deserve accurate diagnoses and comprehensive support to overcome shame and stigma
There is a significant overlap between ADHD and dyslexia, yet many people are not fully understanding or recognizing this connection. Natalie Brooks, the founder of Dyslexia in Adults, shared her personal experience of being diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age but not recognizing her ADHD symptoms until much later. Despite receiving supportive education for dyslexia, she still faced shame and stigma for her forgetfulness and inability to focus, which was compounded by the lack of understanding of her ADHD. It's important for individuals with neurodivergent conditions to receive accurate diagnoses and comprehensive support to help them thrive in all areas of their lives.
Neurodiversities co-occurrence: Neurodiversities, such as dyslexia and ADHD, often co-occur and should be considered holistically to provide a more comprehensive approach to diagnoses and reduce stigma.
Neurodiversities, such as dyslexia and ADHD, often co-occur and should be considered holistically. The speaker shared their personal experience of having both dyslexia and ADHD, which felt like separate challenges with distinct emotions. They emphasized the importance of understanding that these conditions do not exist in isolation and that one diagnosis does not tell the full story. The speaker also highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to diagnoses, as in some countries, neurodiversities are diagnosed together, reducing costs and stigma. They encouraged those with neurodivergent conditions to see themselves as unique variations, like different types of ice cream, and emphasized the importance of recognizing the nuances and overlaps of various neurodiversities. The speaker's analogy of different types of ice cream emphasizes that while there may be differences, they are all part of the same category, and understanding these complexities can help reduce shame and stigma.
Dyslexia and ADHD challenges in written tasks: Individuals with dyslexia and ADHD face significant mental load in completing written tasks, leading to feelings of fear, incapability, and self-imposed limitations. Seeking support through technology and teams can help individuals focus on their strengths and passions, leading to personal and professional growth.
Dyslexia and ADHD are often interconnected, with dyslexia presenting not only reading and spelling difficulties, but also traits of disorganization, time management challenges, and prioritization issues. These challenges can significantly increase the mental load required to complete tasks, particularly in written format. For individuals with dyslexia, the effort required to process written text and articulate thoughts clearly can be substantial. This mental load can limit opportunities for growth and success, leading to feelings of fear, incapability, and self-imposed limitations. It's essential to recognize these challenges and seek support, whether through technology like Grammarly or by bringing in a team of freelancers. By doing so, individuals can focus on their strengths and passions, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and successful career. Additionally, many ambitious business people, founders, and startup leaders struggle with dyslexia, often feeling too scared to advance in their careers due to the fear of having to learn new things or speak up in meetings. These individuals may experience embarrassment and self-doubt due to the challenges they face in expressing their thoughts clearly. It's crucial for these individuals to recognize their strengths, seek support, and learn strategies to manage their dyslexia effectively. By doing so, they can turn their dreams and goals into actionable steps, ultimately leading to personal and professional growth.
ADHD Women's Wellbeing community: The ADHD Women's Wellbeing community offers support, resources, and coaching sessions for individuals dealing with ADHD, with a focus on real-world examples, inspiration from successful individuals, and demystifying the role of hormones in ADHD.
The ADHD Women's Wellbeing community provides a supportive space for individuals dealing with ADHD to ask questions, connect, and learn from each other. The community offers live coaching sessions, webinars, and resources to help individuals navigate their unique challenges. The founder, who originally aimed to help those in corporate jobs, now works with a wide range of clients, from entrepreneurs to corporate employees. She emphasizes the importance of learning from real-world examples and finding inspiration from individuals who have succeeded in various industries despite their ADHD. The community also focuses on demystifying the role of hormones, particularly progesterone, in ADHD. Overall, the ADHD Women's Wellbeing community aims to make knowledge and support as accessible and affordable as possible.
Neurodivergence and Imposter Syndrome: Embracing neurodivergence and imposter syndrome can lead to success, even with societal conditioning to hide or pretend. Focus on managing challenges, being true to oneself, and recognizing the value of unique perspectives.
Embracing neurodivergence and doing things differently can lead to success, despite the challenges and societal conditioning. The speaker shares her personal journey of dealing with imposter syndrome and the importance of being true to oneself, even when it goes against the norm. She emphasizes the need to unlearn and rebuild who we want to be, rather than hiding or pretending. The metaphor of carrying a heavy backpack with additional bricks of shame and embarrassment was used to illustrate the importance of not adding to the burden, but instead focusing on managing the challenges. The conversation often revolves around finding a middle ground between accepting and hiding, and the benefits and impacts of embracing neurodivergence. The speaker encourages those who are neurodiverse to be proud and comfortable with who they are, and to recognize the value of their unique perspective.
Neurodiversity in the workplace: Neurodiversity brings unique strengths and perspectives, but requires accommodations and understanding. Failure to provide accommodations can lead to frustration, embarrassment, burnout, and a lack of acceptance for individuals with neurodiverse learning styles.
Neurodiversity in the workplace brings unique strengths and perspectives, but it also comes with challenges that require accommodations and understanding. The speaker's experience of dyslexia and ADHD in the workplace illustrates this. While her ideas and contributions were highly valued, her struggles with managing emails in different currencies and the lack of accommodations for her dyslexia led to frustration and embarrassment. The speaker's experience highlights the need for companies to go beyond just paying lip service to neurodiversity and actually instilling accommodations and support systems. The consequences of not doing so can lead to burnout and a lack of understanding and acceptance for individuals who think and learn differently. It is essential to recognize that neurodiversity is not a sign of weakness or laziness, but rather a difference in how people process and learn. By embracing neurodiversity and providing necessary accommodations, businesses can harness the unique strengths of all their employees and create a more inclusive and productive work environment.
Neurodiversity in the workplace: Small acts of compassion and understanding can significantly impact neurodiverse individuals in the workplace, and addressing their needs now is crucial for their success.
Small acts of compassion and understanding can make a significant difference in the workplace for neurodiverse individuals. The speaker shares their personal experience of feeling unsupported and overlooked despite the growing awareness and conversation around neurodiversity. They emphasize the importance of addressing the needs of neurodiverse individuals now, rather than waiting for larger societal changes. The speaker's businesses focus on providing resources, coaching, and training to help individuals navigate their challenges and unlock their strengths. The ultimate goal is to normalize accommodations and support systems, making them accessible and expected for all individuals in the education and workforce.
Neurodiversity support: Sharing vulnerabilities and determination can lead to surprising support and success, inspiring others to help neurodiverse individuals achieve great things.
Asking for support and being open about your neurodivergence can lead to surprising levels of engagement and commitment from others. Sharing your vulnerabilities and showing your determination can inspire people to help you succeed. The power of mentoring and having a team to support you can make a significant difference. As seen in the inspiring story of Peter Kyle, a dyslexic MP, with the right support, neurodiverse individuals can achieve great things. It's important to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a step towards success. By being open and determined, we can overcome challenges and make a positive impact. To connect with resources and learn more, check out Syrian Adults on various social media channels and platforms.
Self-care for women with ADHD: Prioritize self-care, seek support, practice mindfulness, set realistic goals, explore resources for women with ADHD, emphasize self-compassion and self-advocacy, build a supportive community.
Key takeaway from this conversation with Natalie is the importance of prioritizing self-care for women with ADHD. Natalie shared her personal experiences and offered valuable insights into the unique challenges women with ADHD face when it comes to managing their mental health and wellbeing. She emphasized the importance of seeking support, practicing mindfulness, and setting realistic goals. Natalie also encouraged listeners to explore resources and workshops specifically designed for women with ADHD, like those offered on adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk. Overall, this conversation highlighted the importance of self-compassion and self-advocacy for women with ADHD, and the potential benefits of building a supportive community to help navigate the journey towards improved wellbeing. If you found this conversation helpful, please consider sharing it with others or leaving a review and rating on your preferred podcast platform. And don't forget to check out the resources available on adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk.