Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a clinical psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights, dives deep into the nuances of neurodivergence and self-care. She shares her own late-in-life discovery of neurodivergence and the mix of emotions it brought. Megan addresses common self-care barriers for neurodivergent women and redefines self-care to be more inclusive. The discussion also highlights personalized strategies, sensory self-care practices, and the importance of community in navigating these experiences. A refreshing perspective on self-care tailored for diverse neurodivergent needs!
Dr. Megan Anna Neff emphasizes a redefined understanding of self-care as a practice of self-attunement rather than mere indulgence.
The podcast highlights the unique challenges neurodivergent parents face, including the scarcity of time and energy while managing care for children.
Neff's journey of discovering her own neurodivergence later in life sheds light on the emotional complexities of relief and grief.
Deep dives
Acknowledgment of Indigenous Custodianship
The podcast emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia. It expresses respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their deep connections to the land and community. This acknowledgment reflects a commitment to recognizing Indigenous heritage and fostering a sense of community. It sets a respectful tone for the discussions that follow.
Purpose of the Podcast
The primary aim of the podcast is to provide a supportive and educational space for adult neurodivergent women. Hosts Monique Mitchelson and Michelle Livock bring their clinical expertise and personal experiences to cover a range of topics, including autism and ADHD. By centering neurodivergent voices, the podcast seeks to inspire and educate listeners who think differently. This focus underscores the importance of representation and community for neurodivergent individuals.
Introduction of Doctor Megan Anna Neff
Doctor Megan Anna Neff is featured in this episode to discuss self-care strategies specifically for neurodivergent individuals. Neff, a clinical psychologist and author, shares insights from her experience of discovering her own neurodivergence later in life. Her new book, which focuses on autistic burnout, aims to further raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. This segment highlights the intersection between professional expertise and lived experience.
Understanding Neurodivergence
Neff provides a nuanced definition of neurodivergence, emphasizing both the cognitive differences and personal pride that individuals may experience. She discusses the challenges neurodivergent people face in accessing spaces that align with neuronormative expectations, which can lead to distress. The podcast urges listeners to appreciate neurodivergence as a valid and enriching identity that can bring both struggles and strengths. This perspective fosters a more inclusive understanding of neurodiversity.
Self-Care and Its Complexities
The discussion around self-care highlights the often superficial nature of typical self-care narratives. Neff suggests rethinking self-care not merely as indulgence but as a deeper practice of self-attunement and recognition of one's needs. The need to balance self-soothing and self-nourishing practices is emphasized, noting that some self-care practices might initially feel frustrating but are ultimately beneficial. This redefinition encourages listeners to critically evaluate their own self-care strategies.
Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Parents
The podcast addresses the unique challenges neurodivergent parents may face when managing their own needs while caring for their children. Issues like scarcity of time, energy, and resources are highlighted, often compounding feelings of burnout. Emphasis is placed on the importance of connecting with others in similar situations to share experiences and strategies. This segment underlines the need for community support and the acknowledgment of shared experiences among neurodivergent families.
On today’s episode we’re excited to welcome Dr. Megan Anna Neff to the podcast to chat with us about neurodivergence and self-care. Megan is a clinical psychologist, author, and the founder of Neurodivergent Insights. She’s written Self-Care for Autistic Peopleand has a new book on autistic burnout coming soon. Megan discovered her own neurodivergence at 37, which sparked her passion for raising awareness around non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD. Through her work, she creates resources to support the neurodivergent community and co-hosts the Divergent Conversations podcast.
On this episode we cover:
How Megan thinks about neurodivergence, including side quests into right brain / left brain ideas and the concept of time. (Trust us, it’s relevant!)
Megan’s path to discovering her own neurodivergence, and the relief and grief associated with that.
Understanding self-care within our socio-cultural context.
A re-imagined definition of self-care.
Examples of self-care strategies and ways that we can embed self-care into our everyday functioning.
Common blocks to self-care experienced by neurodivergent women, AFAB, and parents.
The experience of transitional identity for late diagnosed folks.
De-shaming from self-care strategies that may be perceived negatively or have unwanted unintended consequences.
Find Dr Neff’s work at her website - https://neurodivergentinsights.com/ - or listen to her on the Divergent Conversations podcast. She is also on Instagram @neurodivergent_insights. Follow her through your preferred medium to be notified when her new book on autistic burnout is released!
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