The Neurodivergent Woman

Lumen Gorrie, a clinical psychologist and lived-experience speaker, passionately explores the intersections of neurodivergence and gender diversity. They delve into their personal journey of discovering neurodivergence while addressing misconceptions about identity. Lumen distinguishes between sex, gender, and sexuality, emphasizing fluidity and inclusivity. They also discuss gender dysphoria's impact and the importance of gender-affirming care. With insightful tips for those navigating their gender identities, Lumen encourages embracing authenticity and challenging societal norms.

This week Monique chats with Avril Fazel about living in regional, rural, and remote areas as a neurodivergent person. Avril lives on the lands of Kuungkari, Bidjera and Inningai peoples, between the rural towns of Blackall and Tambo in outback Queensland. She identifies as intersectional feminist with lived experiences in mental illness and neurodivergence, and her social discourse is influenced by her backgrounds in education, community work, and being a local grazier.   We hope you enjoy this beautiful chat as much as we did!   Monique and Avril cover: How Avril thinks about neurodivergence and the importance of curiosity. Avril’s path to understanding her own neurodivergence and to diagnosis at 50. Barriers to services when living rural and remote. The proportion of people living regional, rural, and remote experiencing disability, and why neurodivergent folk might gravitate to these areas. Avril’s experience of community in her local area, and balancing solitude with community engagement. Avril’s experience of the nature and sensory-based components of living rurally. How Avril’s deep interest in understanding different ways of learning impacted her teaching. The importance of transparent communication and modelling self-understanding and self-regulation strategies when teaching kids. Avril’s current special interests.   Things we mentioned: Queensland State Government’s Assessment and Referral Team (ART) Fact sheet on disability access to the NDIS in rural Australia. Check-UP Access for All project - an education tool and app to help medical and allied staff better understand disability. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats   Got questions for us?? Come along to our LIVE Q&A event! Held online on 27th June (with replay available to all ticket holders). Grab a ticket here and submit your question!   Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.   Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Contact us at ndwomanpod@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode we’ll be discussing family violence and domestic abuse. These are important conversations, but they can also be distressing or triggering for some listeners. If this episode feels too difficult to listen to right now, please take care of yourself and consider coming back to it when you feel ready—or just skipping it altogether. And if you or someone you know is currently experiencing domestic abuse, please know that you're not alone and that support is available. We’ve included links and resources below if you need help or someone to talk to.   This week we’re speaking to Patricia Gallagher about domestic and family violence. Patricia is a neuro-affirming registered psychologist, EMDR Accredited Practitioner with EMDRAA, and a Board Approved Supervisor, with over 16 years of experience across diverse settings. She currently works with clients from her private practice based in Melbourne, Gallagher Psychology. Patricia’s niche is in working with women affected by domestic violence, family violence, and childhood trauma; supporting them to heal and rise above the ashes of shame and trauma. In addition to her clinical work, Patricia is a sought-after trainer, supervisor, and speaker in the fields of trauma and family violence.   In this episode we cover: What neurodivergence means to Patricia + her experience of being at the early stages of her exploration of her own neurodivergence. The definition of family and domestic violence and the different forms of abuse that come under this definition. What is ‘covert’ abuse. Understanding the cycle of abuse that commonly occurs, and factors that play into this. Common traits and emotional experiences of perpetrators. What is ‘coercive control’. The factors that increase the likelihood of disabled, neurodivergent, and / or previously traumatised folk being targeted for domestic and family abuse. Logistical and emotional barriers to leaving situations of domestic abuse. Patricia’s approach to supporting people’s recovery from domestic and family violence. The shark cage exercise for building boundaries. Tips and resources for anyone experiencing domestic or family violence.   Things we mentioned: Australian statistics on the prevalence of domestic and family violence. Study on the prevalence of intimate partner violence in Australia. Royal Commission into rates of family, domestic, and sexual violence of women and girls with disability. Australian Government Coercive Control Fact Sheet Ursula Benstead’s Shark Cage   Connect with Patricia through her Instagram @gallagherpsychology or @patriciagallagher, Facebook page, Gallagher Psychology, and her website, www.gallagherpsychology.com.au.   Looking for support with situations of domestic or family violence? Try these resources: Australia wide 1800RESPECT (Ph. 1800 737 732) - National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. Offers phone and online chat support 24/7. Relationships Australia (Ph. 1300 364 277) - Counselling and support for individuals and families experiencing relationship breakdown or violence. Women's Legal Services - Provide free legal advice and assistance on domestic and family violence, family law, child protection. QLife (Ph. 1800 184 527 - 3pm–midnight daily) - LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral. Are You Safe at Home? Ask Izzy - Search tool for nearby shelters, food, legal help, and more. Some state based services Safe Steps (Victoria) (Ph. 1800 015 188) - 24/7 family violence response line for women and children in Victoria. InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (Victoria) (Ph. (03) 9413 6500 / 1800 755 988) - Culturally sensitive family violence support for migrant and refugee women in Victoria. DVConnect (Queensland) (Women's line: 1800 811 811; Mensline: 1800 600 636) - Crisis counselling and referrals for people experiencing domestic and family violence. Immigrant Women's Support Service (Queensland) (Ph. (07) 3846 3490) - Support for migrant and refugee women experiencing domestic and sexual violence. Domestic Violence Crisis Service (ACT) (Ph. (02) 6280 0900) - Services for people affected by domestic violence in the ACT. Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline (NSW) ( only: 1800 019 123) - A dedicated line for Aboriginal victims of crime who need counselling, information, and referrals.   Got questions for us?? Come along to our LIVE Q&A event! Held online on 27th June (with replay available to all ticket holders). Grab a ticket here and submit your question!   Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.   Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Contact us at ndwomanpod@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Monique welcomes Arnikka de Kort to the podcast, to chat about breastfeeding and infant sleep.   Arnikka is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Neonatal Nurse and Founder of SuckleBubs - a space that reimagines how women and babies are supported in the early weeks of newborn life.  She is also the creator of In Bloom - a postpartum and breastfeeding mentorship program guiding mothers through their transition to motherhood, from pregnancy and into postpartum.  Drawing from her clinical and lived experience as a neurodivergent mother, Arnikka blends her clinical skills with a deeply attuned and compassionate approach to the care of mothers and babies.    This ep is packed with knowledge gems direct from Arnikka’s brain, so flick it on to anyone you know who is pregnant or postpartum, neurodivergent or not!   Monique and Arnika cover: What is an IBCLC? What neurodivergence means to Arnikka and her personal journey to discovering her own neurodivergence and the self-acceptance that came with that. Arnikka’s personal experience as a neurodivergent mother with birth and breastfeeding. The variability in infant sleep needs. The interrelationship between infant sleep, feeding, and baby’s sensory needs. Some of the key challenges parents face in their infant feeding journey, including those specific to neurodivergent mothers. Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER). Arnikka’s tips for parents experiencing infant feeding challenges. Tips for problem solving issues with infant sleep and supporting infant circadian development. Elements of pregnancy, birth, and infant care that can be particularly challenging for neurodivergent mothers and tips to manage these.   Things we mentioned: Before the Letdown: Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex and the Breastfeeding Mother by Alia Macrina Heise The NDC institute – free resources and a practitioner directory. Motherkind by Zoe Blaskey Mama Rising by Amy Taylor-Kabbaz   Connect with Arnikka through her website, Suckle Bubs, or on Instagram @sucklebubs.   Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.   Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Contact us at ndwomanpod@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Megan Thomas, a Specialist GP with lived experience of EDS, POTS, and MCAS, joins forces with Bianca Comfort, a neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist and advocate. They discuss the emotional toll of chronic illnesses intertwined with neurodivergence. The duo emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and the role of social media in raising awareness. Practical advice for navigating healthcare, the significance of a supportive community, and strategies for managing these complex conditions are shared, offering insight into a world often misunderstood.

This week features Jessica Horner, a policy advisor with People With Disability Australia and an AuDHD advocate. She shares her insights on the importance of storytelling for neurodivergent individuals, discussing how narratives shape identity. Jessica delves into the impact of media representation on personal experiences, emphasizing the need for diverse voices in storytelling. She also reflects on her journey with autism, highlighting self-advocacy and the critical role it plays in honoring the emotional validity of neurodivergent stories.

This week Monique chats with Sienna Macalister (they/them), who listeners may know by their Instagram handle @sienna.stims, about being an Autistic person with high support needs. Sienna is a non-binary, ‘unreliably speaking’ Autistic advocate, diagnosed with Autism Level 3. They are multiply neurodivergent and have a number of co-occurring health conditions, including Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Sienna is passionate about creating a world where Autistic people are not just accepted but celebrated, with a deep affinity for exploring neurodivergence with nuance.   Monique and Sienna cover: What does ‘unreliably speaking’ mean? What neurodivergence means to Sienna and the importance of understanding the term to mean more than just Autism and ADHD. Sienna’s experience of early diagnosis of Autism and the diagnostic overshadowing this led to, particularly around diagnosis of their health conditions. The evolution of Sienna’s neurodivergent identity. Sienna’s experience of using mobility, communication, and health and wellbeing supports. Support needs, disability, and therapeutic intervention as a valid part of the neurodivergent experience, and the difference between affirming and non-affirming therapies. The role of lateral violence and internalised ableism in excluding people with higher support needs from the cultural conversation on Autism. Sienna’s suggestions to increase inclusion and representation for Autistic people with higher support needs. Sienna’s current special interest – budgie breeding!   Find Sienna on TikTok and Instagram @sienna.stims, on their professional Instagram @sienna.macalister_media, or on YouTube @sienna_stims.   Sienna’s writing is features in the anthologies Someone Like Me, edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case, and Hyperfocus, edited by Spectrum Writing.   Enjoyed this episode and want more content? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, 50% off our episode articles, plus access to a huge backlog of bonus content, including bonus episodes, access to online courses, tip sheets and workbooks, and guided meditation practices. Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.   Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.    Contact us at ndwomanpod@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Michelle Garnett, a clinical psychologist and late-diagnosed AuDHDer, shares her insights on neurodivergence in teens. She discusses her own journey with anxiety and finding effective coping mechanisms. The conversation highlights the unique challenges neurodivergent teens face during adolescence, including social pressures and identity formation. Michelle emphasizes the importance of tailored support for these individuals and offers practical tips for parents to help their children navigate this transformative stage with empathy and understanding.

Simone Mangelsdorf-Collett, a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist specializing in Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), dives deep into the complexities of this often-misunderstood condition. She explains how FND differs from other neurological disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson's. The discussion highlights its historical context, the stigma surrounding women's health, and the links between FND and neurodivergence, especially among women. Simone also offers insights into treatment approaches and the importance of advocacy in reshaping perceptions of FND.

In this engaging conversation, Sharen Lui, a neurodivergent Educational and Developmental Psychologist and director of Sprout Psychology, dives into the intricacies of neurodivergence within Chinese culture. She shares her journey of self-discovery and the significant role cultural identity plays. Sharen highlights the impact of language on perceptions of neurodivergence, the cultural pressures faced by neurodivergent women, and the challenges in accessing supportive healthcare. Her insights emphasize the need for culturally responsive mental health practices in diverse communities.