AuDHD Flourishing

Discover the intriguing intersection of autism and ADHD, and how they create a unique neurotype experience. Hear about the challenges of following conventional advice that often feels irrelevant. Explore the inner conflicts many face as their body and brain demand contradictory needs. Delve into the fascinating characteristics of the autistic brain, like reduced neural pruning and sensory processing quirks. Finally, learn about self-defined success and how to flourish in your own way while advocating for neurodiversity.

Rest is not wasted time; it's essential for productivity, especially for those with ADHD and autism. The discussion challenges societal norms about productivity and highlights the importance of mental recovery. The podcast also dives into the complexities of domestic violence, offering insights on recognizing red flags and promoting self-love. It addresses the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, emphasizing the importance of self-affirmation in navigating life's difficulties.

Juggling multiple interests can be overwhelming, especially when time is limited. The discussion explores the challenges and rewards of pursuing various passions, encouraging listeners to embrace interdisciplinary journeys. Tips for setting personal goals are shared, highlighting the importance of making tough choices to foster creative mastery. It's a reflective journey that empowers individuals to navigate their unique paths in the creative process.

Discover the power of making small adjustments to your habits for a more balanced life. Learn how gentle changes, rather than drastic overhauls, can ease anxiety and support well-being, especially for individuals with ADHD or autism. The approach emphasizes self-compassion and the significance of nurturing your nervous system while embarking on personal growth. It's a refreshing take on habit formation that invites listeners to embrace simplicity over perfection.

Explore the journey of meeting intensity needs in healthy ways, especially for those with ADHD and autism. Dive into the balance between creativity and introspection while recognizing the challenges of intense emotional needs and PTSD. Discover the importance of accepting personal decision-making processes without judgment. The discussion encourages striking a harmony between productivity and self-care, all while teasing new resources designed to support individual growth.

Vanessa Gorelkin, an Occupational Therapist dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals, shares insightful strategies for managing daily life. She introduces the concept of a crisis kit, filled with unique items like instant ice packs and extreme sour candies, designed to aid in moments of distress. The discussion also touches on the value of mental rehearsal for movement and pain management, and the necessity of building supportive connections. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and personal growth tailored to individual challenges.

Reflecting on the interview with Anna, who shared about accommodations for her students and herself. Learning how to build our own systems/structures is often more useful than being handed a system. Because no matter how much dopamine we get initially from a new tool or system, it inevitably becomes stale. Instead of throwing the whole thing out the window every time, I've learned how to pull forward elements that are still working. This continuous process of experimenting and tweaking (with rest/recovery interspersed, of course!) has made my life so much easier. Last 10m of the episode is about why I'm doing the work I'm doing, and the live round of LYB:Love Your Brain course info & live round updateResources:Transcript DocEmail Newsletter: Nothing Wrong With UsLike Your Brain community space (Patreon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna is an educator who has developed an incredible approach with accommodations at the core (for the student AND herself!). It makes sense pedagogically, and it's working! With a core of psychological safety, students are able to explore writing and language with their own goals in mind.We've also known each other since I was 15... so we talk a bit about the mysterious backstory of living in a Christian sorority ;)Resources Anna mentioned:Her English 101 Online TextbookWorkshopping: Liz Lerman's Critical Response ProcessAll My Relations podcastLove Your Brain course info & live round updateResources:Transcript DocEmail Newsletter: Nothing Wrong With UsLike Your Brain community space (Patreon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coping mechanisms can be a pathologizing term. What's the difference between coping mechanisms and intensity or interests?This episode also touches back to the interview on sobriety with Amy in ep. 92. As well as this note on a positive AA experience from a listener.Resources:Transcript DocEmail Newsletter: Nothing Wrong With UsLike Your Brain community space (Patreon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks Eric Tivers for interviewing me & allowing me to share the full episode here as well. His show notes:In this episode of ADHD reWired, Eric Tivers is joined by Mattia Maurée, an award-winning composer, poet, and host of the AuDHD Flourishing Podcast. Mattia shares their insights into the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent (ND) individuals, particularly those with ADHD and autism, as they navigate trauma, self-expression, and what they describe as “attention tunnels.”Mattia opens up about their personal journey, discussing the impact of complex PTSD, disordered eating, and their late diagnoses of ADHD and autism. They explain how monotropism—having a narrower field of focus—shapes their experience as a ND person. Through the lens of monotropism, Mattia explores how being stuck in an attention tunnel can make transitioning to different tasks or social situations feel overwhelming and distressing.Eric and Mattia dive deep into the intersections of trauma and neurodivergence, examining how ND brains may be more easily traumatized, especially in environments that fail to meet their unique needs. They discuss the profound impact of ND parents raising ND children and the challenges of navigating systems that don’t support their differences.This conversation also highlights the importance of self-expression in healing and flourishing. Mattia explains how self-expression, rather than achievement, has become central to their definition of success, emphasizing the importance of creating work that resonates emotionally, even if it doesn’t fit the traditional metrics of success.Other topics discussed include:The connection between hyperfocus and monotropism in ADHD and autismHow Mattia balances creativity, self-care, and flourishing as a ND individualThe complexity of navigating trauma in ND familiesThe importance of community and support systems for ND creatives and entrepreneursThis episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay of trauma, neurodivergence, and flourishing. Whether you identify as ND or are simply curious about these experiences, this conversation offers valuable insights into the importance of creating space for self-expression, healing, and growth.Resources:Transcript DocEmail Newsletter: Nothing Wrong With UsLike Your Brain community space (Patreon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.