[FLASHBACK] Episode 24: Exploring Different Neurotypes: Ask an ADHDer [featuring Dr. Donna Henderson]
Jan 19, 2024
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Dr. Donna Henderson, a non-Autistic ADHDer psychologist, shares her ADHD experience and discusses the overlap between ADHD and autism. Topics include executive functioning, sensitivity, self-care, and relationship dynamics. Explore the diverse perspectives of ADHDers and gain insights into navigating neurodivergent labels and social interactions.
ADHDers struggle with working memory affecting planning and recall, while Autistics excel in deep engagement with past and future thoughts.
Overthinking about past and future exhausts Autistics and some ADHDers, emphasizing the importance of managing mental processes effectively.
Connecting through shared interests is crucial for meaningful interaction, showcasing the challenges in small talk for individuals with ADHD and autism.
Deep dives
Working Memory Differences Between Autism and ADHD
Autistic individuals often have a strong working memory, being able to engage deeply in past and future thoughts and planning scenarios, while ADHD individuals may struggle with working memory, leading to difficulties in planning and moment-to-moment memory recall.
Time Perception and Obsession with Past and Future
Autistic individuals and some ADHDers often obsess about both the past and the future, constantly analyzing and processing various outcomes, leading to mental exhaustion from overthinking, while struggling with working memory for immediate details.
Challenges with Small Talk and Special Interests
Engaging in small talk can be challenging for individuals with ADHD and autism, as the focus on special interests provides a more comfortable and engaging space for communication, highlighting the importance of connecting through shared interests for meaningful interaction.
Navigating Communication Differences in Context Awareness
Context independence, prevalent in autistic individuals, contrasts with the context-aware communication of ADHD individuals, showing distinct approaches to conversational engagement and developing understanding between different communication styles.
Embracing Movement Urges and Body Signals
Acknowledging the body's need for movement and accepting urges to shift focus can lead to a more positive relationship with one's body signals and enhance self-awareness in managing ADHD symptoms effectively.
Ever wonder what the differences are between the ways non-Autistic ADHDers and Autistic ADHDers process and move through the world?
In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Dr. Donna Henderson, a non-Autistic, ADHDer psychologist, about her personal experience as an ADHDer, as well as explore the overlap and differences between ADHD and autism.
Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:
Understand what life looks like as an ADHDer in regards to things like executive functioning, sensitivity and reactiveness, conversational tempo, working memory, and task switching.
Identify the ways Autism and ADHD can influence how we process information and engage in conversations, as well as how this shows up in relationships.
Learn about what it really means to do self-care and how to break free from the generic standards of healthy living to act in alignment with what you actually need and want.
There is a surprising number of differences between the way Autistic individuals and ADHDers might experience the world. This episode only covers the experience of one ADHDer, so we encourage you to further explore the nuances and diverse perspectives of ADHDers.
More about Dr. Donna Henderson:
Dr. Donna Henderson has been a clinical psychologist for over 30 years. She is passionate about identifying and supporting autistic individuals, particularly those who camouflage, and she is co-author (with Drs. Sarah Wayland and Jamell White) of two books: Is This Autism? A guide for clinicians and everyone else and Is This Autism? A companion guide for diagnosing. Dr. Henderson’s professional home is The Stixrud Group in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she provides neuropsychological evaluations and consultations for children, adolescents, and adults who would like to understand themselves better. She is a sought-after lecturer on the less obvious presentations of autism, autistic girls and women, PDA, and on parenting children with complex profiles. She also provides case consultations and neurodiversity-affirmative training for other healthcare professionals.