Divergent Conversations

For adults who are questioning if they are Autistic, ADHD, etc., there is often an exploratory and somewhat confusing phase where they feel in between two different identities.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, talk with Jak Levine-Pritzker, ADHD coach and founder of Authentically ADHD LLC, about the nuances of navigating identity when exploring the possibility of an autism diagnosis, as well as the effect of facing internalized ableism and external input throughout the assessment process.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Learn about Jak's personal experiences with the questioning of fitting into or out of diagnostic criteria, especially when examining overlapping traits between ADHD and autism.Gain insights into the complexities and nuances of the assessment process for neurodivergent conditions, exploring both the quantitative and qualitative aspects that go beyond standardized tests.Discover the evolving understanding of neurotypes, including the impact of self-identification on assessments and the relevance of organizing principles like monotropism and flow state.As you reflect on your own journey or support others in their quest for clarity, remember to ask questions, be mindful that neurodivergent experiences and diagnoses are full of grey areas and overlapping traits, and if you choose to seek a diagnosis, try to approach it with an open mind.More about Jak:Jak Levine-Pritzker(she/her) is an ADHD coach, mental health advocate, and founder of Authentically ADHD LLC. With an online community of over 90k people and a robust coaching practice, she has empowered thousands of ADHDers to heal their internalized ableism and shame and design a life that *actually* works for their brains using a strengths-based approach.Jak is passionate about normalizing and depathologizing what it means to be human, especially a neurodivergent (and queer) human. She shares openly about her own lived experience navigating ADHD, OCD, depression, PMDD, and grief. She truly believes that people with ADHD are not disordered or broken and can live wonderfully successful, fulfilling lives when given the proper support, resources, and environment to thrive.In what feels like another multiverse, she received a law degree from CUNY Queens with clinical training in mediation. She is from upstate NY and currently lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains with her cat, Zen.Check out Jak’s online membership (authenticallyadhd.com/membership)! It is an online community for 18+ ADHD adults. There are coaching calls, socials, body doubles, weekly/monthly resets, and more. It is a lovely community and sliding scale starts at $19/month but no one is turned away for lack of funds.Website: authenticallyadhd.comInstagram: instagram.com/authenticallyadhd ———————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast here🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTubeMentioned in this episode:The Autistic Burnout WorkbookI'm Dr. Megan Anna Neff, owner of Neurodivergent Insights, and I'm excited to announce the release of my book, The Autistic Burnout Workbook. I'm running a special deal for those who support my work. After you order, you will get a coupon code that you can use toward our store for the same amount. For example, the workbook costs $18.99, so after purchase, you'd get a credit of $18.99 to use in our digital shop or in our Etsy shop, which gets you another digital workbook of your choosing for free. This is technically a pre-order promotion that was originally set to end on March 10th, but for listeners of the podcast, I'm going to extend this deal, so if you buy the book in the next month, you can also redeem this special. Thank you for supporting my work. It means so much to me and I hope that you will find this a helpful resource for you as you continue to build a life that is a bit more resilient to autistic burnout. Use the following link to grab this offer: https://neurodivergentinsights.notion.site/17ea17a4bb8b8034ab2bf9b03c560a64 After this deal ends, you can use this link to purchase this workbook: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Autistic-Burnout-Workbook/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507223062

For ADHDers, romanticism is a common struggle where you find yourself constantly daydreaming about an ideal future and struggling with the reality of the present.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the intricacies of romanticizing experiences and the repercussions that come with it. As neurodivergent mental health professionals, they offer a unique perspective on how projecting ideal futures can create a disconnect with the present, leading to disappointment and restlessness.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Discover the impact of romanticizing future outcomes on mental health, particularly for those with ADHD and other neurodivergent traits, and how it can disrupt your ability to enjoy the present moment.Hear Dr. Neff and Patrick's personal stories about their struggles with restlessness and the unending need for new experiences, and learn how this affects their daily lives.Explore strategies to reconcile your idealized visions of the future with the messy reality of the present, and find out how to cultivate a sense of settled contentment.Take some time to reflect on your own tendencies to romanticize the future. Consider how this impacts your well-being and what steps you can take to stay grounded in the present and find balance one moment at a time.——————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast here🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTubeMentioned in this episode:The Autistic Burnout WorkbookI'm Dr. Megan Anna Neff, owner of Neurodivergent Insights, and I'm excited to announce the release of my book, The Autistic Burnout Workbook. I'm running a special deal for those who support my work. After you order, you will get a coupon code that you can use toward our store for the same amount. For example, the workbook costs $18.99, so after purchase, you'd get a credit of $18.99 to use in our digital shop or in our Etsy shop, which gets you another digital workbook of your choosing for free. This is technically a pre-order promotion that was originally set to end on March 10th, but for listeners of the podcast, I'm going to extend this deal, so if you buy the book in the next month, you can also redeem this special. Thank you for supporting my work. It means so much to me and I hope that you will find this a helpful resource for you as you continue to build a life that is a bit more resilient to autistic burnout. Use the following link to grab this offer: https://neurodivergentinsights.notion.site/17ea17a4bb8b8034ab2bf9b03c560a64 After this deal ends, you can use this link to purchase this workbook: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Autistic-Burnout-Workbook/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507223062

Two AuDHD mental health professionals, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, discuss the concept of the ADHD tax in daily life, sharing personal stories and management strategies. They explore topics such as impulsive decisions, relationships, and the challenges of managing impulsivity. The podcast also covers strategies for mitigating impulsive behaviors and the importance of ethical marketing practices for neurodivergent individuals.

Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a mental health professional specializing in ADHD, joins Patrick Casale to dissect the intricacies of the interest-based nervous system. They explore how motivation fluctuates uniquely for those with ADHD and share techniques for enhancing productivity. Learn about dopamine stacking, body doubling, and the P.I.N.C.H. motivators—passion, interest, novelty, competition, and urgency—that can help combat procrastination. With practical tips, they provide insight into making mundane tasks more engaging and understanding your unique nervous system.

Two AuDHD mental health professionals, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, discuss the complexities of impulsivity in ADHD using the DSM-5 criteria. They explore how impulsivity affects relationships and career choices, and share personal experiences. The episode delves into the challenges of inhibiting impulsive behaviors, including real-life examples of struggles and negative consequences. The guests emphasize the importance of diagnosing ADHD based on symptoms before age 12 and across different settings.

Listen to mental health professionals Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff discuss ADHD-Hyperactive traits, including managing behaviors in social and professional settings, the concept of masking in ADHD, challenges with being present in the moment, and strategies for addressing hyperactive energy. Gain insight into personal experiences and the impact of ADHD on relationships and daily life.

AuDHD mental health professionals, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, delve into the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD inattentive subtype. They share personal struggles with inattentive traits like decision fatigue, coping mechanisms, project management challenges, and organization difficulties. Listeners can relate to their experiences and gain insights on navigating daily life with ADHD traits.

Two AuDHD mental health professionals, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, discuss the often misunderstood traits of ADHD, share personal stories, explore interconnectedness with autism, and highlight societal stereotypes. They lay the groundwork for discussions on ADHD criteria and personal experiences in this informative podcast.

If you're parenting a neurodivergent child or young adult, you understand that traditional approaches don't always fit. Balancing the unique needs with the world's expectations can feel isolating and overwhelming.In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, speak with Lisa Dube, a licensed clinical social worker, a specialist in gender identities and neurodivergence, and the founder of Merrimack River Wellness. They dive into the nuances of parenting, supporting, and understanding neurodivergent children, particularly those exploring their gender identity.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:Gain a deeper understanding of how to recognize and support the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses in neurodivergent children, helping you to interpret their behaviors through a more informed and empathetic lens.Learn from Lisa Dube's insights into the intersection of gender identity and neurodivergence, encouraging a curious and non-judgmental approach to parenting that embraces and respects your child's identity exploration.Discover practical advice on avoiding the "failure to launch" stereotype and fostering an environment of interdependence through "scaffolding,” particularly useful for parents of neurodivergent young adults who do not fit traditional developmental trajectories.As you tune into this vital conversation, reflect on how you can bring these strategies into your own family dynamics to support and strengthen the bond with your child. Consider how your parenting approach can evolve not just to cope with, but to actively enrich the journey of raising a neurodivergent child.More about Lisa Dube, MSW, LICSWFounder, Merrimack River WellnessLisa is neurodivergent and has been a licensed clinical social worker since 1995. Prior to opening her private practice, Lisa worked for the U.S. District Court for more than twenty years, as a treatment specialist. In 2018, she established a private practice focused on the needs of families and individuals navigating gender identity exploration and transition. Over the last few years, Lisa has become passionate about the intersectionality of gender and neurodivergence and has received extensive training in the neurodiversity-affirming paradigm. More recently, Lisa has completed Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 & 2 training and has brought this non-pathologizing lens into her practice. She currently facilitates several groups for parents and for young adults, focused on the intersectionality of gender and neurodivergence. Lisa has a special interest in supporting parents in developing new narratives and ways of connecting with their young adult autistic children who may be challenged with the transition to adulthood. Lisa is licensed to provide clinical services in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.Website: https://www.merrimackriverwellness.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrimackriverwellness——————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast here🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTubeMentioned in this episode:The Autistic Burnout WorkbookI'm Dr. Megan Anna Neff, owner of Neurodivergent Insights, and I'm excited to announce the release of my book, The Autistic Burnout Workbook. I'm running a special deal for those who support my work. After you order, you will get a coupon code that you can use toward our store for the same amount. For example, the workbook costs $18.99, so after purchase, you'd get a credit of $18.99 to use in our digital shop or in our Etsy shop, which gets you another digital workbook of your choosing for free. This is technically a pre-order promotion that was originally set to end on March 10th, but for listeners of the podcast, I'm going to extend this deal, so if you buy the book in the next month, you can also redeem this special. Thank you for supporting my work. It means so much to me and I hope that you will find this a helpful resource for you as you continue to build a life that is a bit more resilient to autistic burnout. Use the following link to grab this offer: https://neurodivergentinsights.notion.site/17ea17a4bb8b8034ab2bf9b03c560a64 After this deal ends, you can use this link to purchase this workbook: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Autistic-Burnout-Workbook/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507223062

Livia Sara, an autism advocate in eating disorder recovery, discusses unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, the power of autonomy in recovery, and personal struggles with eating disorders and addiction. The podcast explores misdiagnoses, societal perceptions of food, and the quest for identity amidst struggles with anorexia and depression.