Why Your Doctor Might Be Getting It All Wrong About ADHD and Autism with Dr. Kalin Johnson
Mar 6, 2024
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Exploring neurodivergence, Dr. Johnson discusses challenges in diagnosis, co-occurring conditions, gaslighting, and personalized care. Embracing individuality, understanding EDS, and advocating for tailored support and affirmation for neurodivergent individuals.
Neurodivergence encompasses unique cognitive processes beyond norm, aiding understanding of diverse mind functionalities.
Misconceptions surrounding neurodivergence hinder effective support by generalizing patient needs and perceiving it as a problem.
Challenges in diagnosing conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome relate to genetic variability, delayed identification, and limited accessibility for specialists.
Deep dives
Understanding Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence refers to minds that function differently from neuronormative standards, encompassing conditions like ADHD, autism, PTSD, OCD, and more. The term includes genetic and acquired conditions, highlighting unique cognitive processes beyond the norm. This identity clarifies diverse mind functionalities and helps individuals navigate atypical experiences compared to most.
Challenges and Misunderstandings
Common misunderstandings around neurodivergence revolve around overly generalizing patient needs and treating diversity as a problem. Believing that everyone with neurodivergent traits shares the same struggles perpetuates myths. The misconception that neurodiversity should be cured rather than accommodated as variance hinders effective support.
Diagnosis and Treatment Complexities
Diagnosing conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) poses challenges due to genetic variability and delayed identification. The medical community struggles with reconciling subjective symptoms present in hypermobile individuals with objective diagnostic criteria. Limited accessibility and prolonged waits for specialists hinder timely evaluations and personalized care.
Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals
Optimal care for neurodivergent patients involves affirming their experiences, avoiding negative reinforcement, and prioritizing comfort over conformity. Encouraging self-awareness of physical and emotional cues fosters self-advocacy and holistic well-being. Providers must offer personalized, inclusive care to address diverse patient needs effectively.
Precision Medicine Training Program
The podcast mentions a Precision Medicine Training Program for health coaches and physicians, emphasizing the importance of precision in patient care. By offering live training sessions, CME credits, and recognition from health coaching boards, the program aims to enhance healthcare professionals' skills in personalized medicine. The training equips healthcare providers with expertise in optimizing patient outcomes through tailored approaches.
In this captivating episode, Dr. Carl Seger chats with Kalin Johnson, a trailblazer in healthcare who merges her experiences as a clinical pharmacist, functional medicine and wellness coach, patient advocate, and neurodivergent mentor. Kalin sheds light on the complexities of neurodivergence, especially its intersection with physical health issues like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, from both a professional and personal perspective. Exploring themes from the importance of unmasking and embracing one's neurodivergent traits to the nuances of co-occurring conditions and the unique challenges faced in diagnosis and treatment, this episode promises to enlighten listeners on the intricacies of neurodivergent health and advocacy. Kalin's insights are not only informative but also deeply personal, offering a rare look into the lived experiences of someone navigating both the healthcare system and society as a queer, late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic individual with hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Join us as we delve into this rich dialogue, unpacking the critical need for comprehensive, understanding, and tailored care for neurodivergent individuals.
Learn more at https://www.kalinjohnson.com/
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