I Have ADHD Podcast 31 ADHD + Autism Spectrum Disorder with Laura Brooke
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Nov 1, 2019 In this engaging discussion, Laura Brooke, a professional organizer and neurodivergent advocate, shares her experience with ADHD and her recent autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. She reveals how her son's diagnosis led her to seek answers about her own identity. Laura explains key differences between ADHD and ASD, including social experiences and sensory issues. She debunks myths around autism, emphasizes the importance of female perspectives, and discusses the benefits of formal diagnosis while offering practical advice for those considering evaluation.
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Moment A Self-Test Changed Everything
- Laura described taking the Autism Spectrum Quotient test and scoring very high, which triggered deeper research.
- That led her to realize she likely had autism in addition to ADHD and to pursue a formal evaluation.
Masking Explains Hidden Struggles
- Masking hides autistic traits and makes adult diagnosis much harder because people learn to cover differences early.
- Laura only recognized years later that masking explained many lifelong struggles she and others attributed to personality or upbringing.
Female Presentations Often Go Unseen
- Autism often looks different in females, so many girls and women are overlooked by diagnostic criteria based on male presentations.
- Laura points out cultural and study biases made female presentations less visible until recently.