EP. 239: ADHD, Autism and Other Neurodivergent Insights with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Megan Anna Neff
Aug 2, 2023
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Guest Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a clinical psychologist specializing in working with neurodivergent adults, discusses ADHD and autism, their overlaps and differences, the challenges and gifts of having both, alexithymia and emotional regulation, and using neurodivergent-affirming language.
ADHD and autism may be part of the same spectrum, with some individuals exhibiting traits of both.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of individualized language choices and the need for more research on autism and ADHD in women.
Strategies for living successfully with autism and ADHD include working with one's brain style, restructuring career and life, and aligning tasks with energy levels.
Deep dives
The Intersection of ADHD and Autism
ADHD and autism may be part of the same spectrum, with some individuals exhibiting traits of both. This connection is explored in the podcast, questioning why highly successful individuals with ADHD and autism are rarely mentioned. The host, Tracey Atsuka, introduces Dr. Megan Anna Nef, a clinical psychologist specializing in working with neurodivergent adults. They discuss the different presentations of autism and ADHD in women, the impact of puberty and hormones, and the role of alexithymia, difficulty identifying and describing emotions, in both conditions.
Personal Experiences and Changes Since Diagnosis
Dr. Nef shares her personal journey of discovering her neurodivergence later in life, initially finding her autism diagnosis and later realizing her ADHD traits. She reflects on her childhood experiences as a compliant and silly child who struggled in school. Dr. Nef describes her mental health struggles, including OCD, depression, and anxiety, and the connection to undiagnosed ADHD and autism. After her diagnoses, Dr. Nef experienced profound changes in self-acceptance, embracing her imperfections, and finding new language and understanding for her experiences.
Gender Diversity and the Cross-Neurotype Experience
The discussion delves into the intersection of gender diversity and neurodivergence, highlighting the higher prevalence of gender diverse individuals among those with ADHD and autism. Dr. Nef explains the concept of cross-neurotype interactions and the challenges it can present in relationships and parenting. The podcast explores the unique expressions of emotions in autism and ADHD, such as hyper empathy and alexithymia. The conversation underscores the need for better language and understanding of diverse presentations within neurodivergent communities.
Understanding the Language of Autism and ADHD
In this podcast episode, the guests discuss the language used to describe autism and ADHD. They explore the differences between terms like ASD, autistic, and condition versus disorder. The guests explain their personal preferences for identity-first language and embracing their neurodivergent identity. They also reflect on the challenges of using social cues and the nuances of understanding different social norms. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of individualized language choices and the need for more research on autism and ADHD in women.
Finding Success through Brain Style and Self-Care
The guests delve into strategies for living successfully with autism and ADHD. They emphasize the significance of working with one's brain style and restructuring one's career and life to accommodate it. They discuss the benefits of aligning tasks with energy levels and using hyperfocus to their advantage. The guests also touch on the connection between autism and inattentive ADHD, highlighting slower processing speed and the potential overlap between the two conditions. Finally, they mention upcoming projects, including a self-care book for autistic individuals and valuable resources available on their website and Instagram page.
Want to fall in love with your ADHD brain and make it work for you? Learn more about my patented program, Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy here: programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup
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I have been searching high and low for the perfect specialist to come on the podcast and talk about autism and ADHD, and I think I finally achieved that with this episode's guest, Dr. Megan Anna Neff.
Dr. Neff is not only a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with neurodivergent adults, but she herself is an autistic ADHDer, giving her an essential understanding of the internal experience. She was officially diagnosed at 37, and since then her work has grown to focus on educating the mental health field on non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD.
During our conversation Dr. Neff shares her expert insights into AuDHD, the overlaps and differences between the two, the challenges and gifts of having both, what alexithymia is and ways it affects emotional regulation, how to talk about autism using neurodivergent-affirming language, and much more. ______________
