The Divergent Voice

By: NeuroSpark Health

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism often have several overlapping characteristics and frequently co-occur. The overlapping traits and similarities are often misunderstood and misinterpreted by healthcare professionals who do not specialize in adult ADHD and autism. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

The question of whether someone can develop ADHD as an adult is more nuanced than it might initially appear. ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental condition in the DSM-V and a neurotype in neurodiversity-affirming spaces, meaning it originates in brain development and is present in childhood.

By: NeuroSpark Health

The concept of adult ADHD desk accessories reflects a growing interest in tools and accommodations designed to help ADHDers manage challenges in workspace environments. For many ADHDers, traditional desk setups can feel stifling or even counterproductive.

By: Cat Salladin

ADHD is a neurotype that people of all ages can possess, but for many adults, getting diagnosed later in life can feel like a confusing and overwhelming process.

By: Cat Salladin

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had hyperfixations. There were times where I would be so wrapped up in a fairy game or a book or videos about whatever topic I was focused on at the time, that I would forget to eat!

By: NeuroSpark Health

When someone without a holistic understanding of ADHD thinks of the neurotype, they likely think of a hyperactive boy or someone jokingly saying “squirrel”. However, ADHD encompasses far more than just struggling to pay attention to things or having a lot of energy.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Are you looking for a clinical psychologist with expertise in ADULT autism and ADHD in your local area? We know how challenging that can be! In fact, NeuroSpark was started based on our personal experiences and difficulties finding mental health specialists as neurodivergent adults.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Task paralysis is a common and often debilitating challenge faced by adults with ADHD. This phenomenon occurs when an individual feels completely unable to start or complete tasks, even when they have a strong desire to do so. Task paralysis can be incredibly frustrating and can significantly impact productivity and well-being.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Having ADHD and finding your rhythm in the workplace can come with a variety of challenges. Adults with ADHD struggle with focus, time management, organization, and other executive function skills important for success in a professional setting.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Finding an ADHD therapist near you who offers neurodiversity-affirming therapy can be a transformative step toward managing ADHD symptoms and improving overall well-being.

By: NeuroSpark Health

When someone experiences difficulties with attention, executive functioning differences, and possibly hyperactivity/impulsivity, they may begin to wonder if they have ADHD.

By: Dani Rodwell

A common question that people ask themselves when they start to explore and learn more about neurodivergence is whether zoning out is a sign of ADHD. That’s both a valid experience and a valid question.

By: NeuroSpark Health

when the ADHD brain gets overstimulated, overloaded by information, or frustrated from working too hard, it's common for us to abandon or avoid the task altogether, leading to task paralysis.

By: Dani Rodwell

Autistics and ADHDers often have an extremely tough time with task switching. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

Many of our multiply-neurodivergent clients come to us with questions about how to differentiate their autism traits and ADHD traits. It can be confusing for them to clearly understand both the overlap and the differences between autism and ADHD, as the lived AuDHD experience is multifaceted.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

We all have routines and habits that we probably don’t even realize we do on a daily basis. And everyone has nervous habits that pop up during stressful situations, such as public speaking or meeting someone for the first time. But for people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, they may exhibit unconscious physical behaviors that help soothe their senses when they feel overwhelmed.

By: NeuroSpark Health

The term aspie quiz is a commonly searched phrase online, referencing a self-assessment tool that explores traits associated with autism, particularly those linked to what we used to refer to as Asperger's Syndrome.  The quiz can provide insight into neurodivergent traits, but it’s important to contextualize its use within the more modern understandings of autism, including the shift away from Asperger's as a diagnostic term.

By: Cat Salladin

ADHD is a neurotype that people of all ages can possess, but for many adults, getting diagnosed later in life can feel like a confusing and overwhelming process.

By: NeuroSpark Health

When someone without a holistic understanding of ADHD thinks of the neurotype, they likely think of a hyperactive boy or someone jokingly saying “squirrel”. However, ADHD encompasses far more than just struggling to pay attention to things or having a lot of energy.

By: Cat Salladin

The path toward understanding and recognizing autism in oneself is a deeply personal and nuanced process. For many adults, like myself, it begins with self-identification, a growing awareness that our experiences, behaviors, and ways of thinking align with what we’ve learned about autism.

By: Julie Landry

If you've been researching adult autism assessment or are in the process of self-diagnosis, you’ve probably seen the free online tests, which include the RAADS-R test.

By: NeuroSpark Health

While autism is typically diagnosed in childhood, many adults are now seeking assessments and diagnoses later in life. This is often due to increased awareness and understanding of autism, as well as a growing recognition that autism presents differently in adults compared to children.

By: Cat Salladin

Autism and neurodiversity as a whole have garnered significant attention in recent years. Traditional, pathologizing approaches often focus on autism as a condition that needs to be treated or cured.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autism has historically been thought of as a childhood diagnosis, but many adults are also autistic without realizing it until later in life for a variety of reasons.

By: NeuroSpark Health

When someone experiences difficulties with attention, executive functioning differences, and possibly hyperactivity/impulsivity, they may begin to wonder if they have ADHD.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Have you ever felt intensely focused on a single interest or task, to the extent that the world around you seems to fade away? Or perhaps you've noticed that when you concentrate on something you're passionate about, it's difficult to switch your attention to anything else.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Starting your journey of pursuing an autism diagnosis can be overwhelming and it is often difficult to find a knowledgeable and affirming provider. The step-by-step instructions below will guide you to getting the answers you deserve.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Autism (also referred to as autism spectrum disorder or ASD by those working from a deficit-based model) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is often diagnosed in childhood.

By: Dani Rodwell

AuDHD Assessment. AuDHD test. AuDHD test online… and one of my personally-used favorites, “AuDHD reddit.”

By: NeuroSpark Health

NeuroSpark Health shares how autism is diagnosed, autism characteristics, and strategies that can help you work through associated challenges.

By: NeuroSpark Health

AuDHD is a term that many members of the neurodivergent community use to describe the experience of being both autistic and ADHD. AuDHD is not a clinical term, and it doesn’t appear in the DSM, but it is a lived experience term created by the community that is both short and sweet.

By: NeuroSpark Health

When it comes to neurodiversity-affirming care, lived experience is invaluable. It is important to amplify AuDHD voices from individuals (and therapists!) in our community. It’s helpful for you to navigate your journey and know you’re not alone. So we decided to invite our own NeuroSpark team to share the best advice they’d give others and what they wish they'd known sooner.

By: Cat Salladin

While autism and ADHD have distinct characteristics, they share several overlaps, leading to a unique combination that can sometimes be both a challenge and a gift.

By: By Cat Salladin

Sensory processing involves the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into motor, emotional, and behavioral responses. Neurodivergent individuals often experience sensory information in different ways than neurotypical individuals.

By: Dani Rodwell

If there’s one thing I know about autistic people and ADHD people, comfort is paramount. We do things with our bodies to feel safer, to feel more regulated, to feel less awkward, and sometimes it may even look awkward to others while feeling natural and good to us.

By: Dani Rodwell

The AuDHD experience continues to be a growing conversation about the very multifaceted and nuanced experience of being multiply neurodivergent.

By: Dani Rodwell

AuDHD Assessment. AuDHD test. AuDHD test online… and one of my personally-used favorites, “AuDHD reddit.”

By: Dani Rodwell

Are you an autistic person with ADHD who struggles with routines? NeuroSpark Health’s Dani Rodwell reveals how her autism and ADHD affect her routines.

By: Jessica Michaels

My autism and ADHD made it harder to recognize and emotionally deal with the fact that these inequities existed.

By: NeuroSpark Health

If you’ve recently discovered you’re autistic, or suspect you might be, ou may be asking, “If I’m autistic, will my child be?” This is a very common question among autistic adults, parents, and parents-to-be. The short answer is: autism can run in families, but it’s more nuanced than simple inheritance.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autism is typically diagnosed in childhood, but many adults are now seeking assessments and diagnoses later in life. If you’re considering a formal evaluation, you might assume that a psychiatrist is the best option for an official diagnosis.

By: NeuroSpark Health

With the recent announcement of RFK Jr’s proposed national autism registry, many of us are experiencing a mix of discomfort, uncertainty, and anxiety. If you’re worried about how this registry could affect you or your loved ones, you're not alone. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

For decades, autism was primarily viewed through the lens of how it presents in boys. This led to generations of autistic girls and women flying under the radar, often misdiagnosed or struggling without answers. Although they maybe weren’t perceived by others as autistic, they were definitely seen as different (too sensitive; too blunt; not enough, the list goes on).

By: NeuroSpark Health

Telehealth is making it much easier to access affirming, expert assessors﹣without worrying about geographical barriers. More providers have been transitioning to offer virtual autism assessments. This begs the question, "Can autism testing be done virtually?" and the answer is absolutely! Virtual autism evaluations are not only possible but can be highly effective, particularly for adult autism assessments. In this blog, we’ll explore how virtual autism testing works, its benefits, potential limitations, and what to expect from the process.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autistic burnout is a debilitating state of exhaustion that adversely impacts cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning. It occurs when we expend too much energy typing to meet neuronormative expectations, navigate sensory challenges, and cope with daily responsibilities without adequate recovery time. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

Ever wonder if there’s a link between autism and asexuality? You're not the only one. Many autistic adults—or those questioning whether they might be autistic—experience attraction, relationships, and sexuality differently from neurotypical people. Some find that asexuality describes their experience well, while others simply feel that their views on sexuality don’t fit the norm.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism often have several overlapping characteristics and frequently co-occur. The overlapping traits and similarities are often misunderstood and misinterpreted by healthcare professionals who do not specialize in adult ADHD and autism. 

By: Cat Salladin

The concept of autistic special interests refers to the intense and focused fascination that autistic individuals often develop for specific topics, activities, or hobbies.

By: NeuroSpark Health

"High-functioning" autism in women often goes overlooked. This is more accurately called high-masking. Learn how to identify the traits of high-masking autism.

By: NeuroSpark Health

The term aspie quiz is a commonly searched phrase online, referencing a self-assessment tool that explores traits associated with autism, particularly those linked to what we used to refer to as Asperger's Syndrome.  The quiz can provide insight into neurodivergent traits, but it’s important to contextualize its use within the more modern understandings of autism, including the shift away from Asperger's as a diagnostic term.

By: Cat Salladin

Level 1 autism (also less affirmingly referred to as ASD level 1) is one of the three levels of autism as laid out in the DSM-5.

By: Dani Rodwell

Autism has historically been framed in a negative light by the mental health field, society, culture, and individuals. For too long, autistic people have been continuously pathologized and labeled as disordered individuals in need of “fixing” or “curing” (this is especially perpetuated by the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis-ABA.)

By: NeuroSpark Health

The "functional freeze state" is a state where a person, often an autistic or otherwise neurodivergent individual, feels physically or mentally immobilized while still appearing to function on a basic level.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Touch is often viewed as a fundamental part of human interaction. Whether it’s a handshake, a hug, or a comforting pat on the shoulder, many people rely on physical contact as a way to connect and communicate. However, for some autistic people, touch can be an overwhelming, distressing, or even downright painful experience.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Work anxiety is a pervasive issue for many, but for autistic people, it can be incredibly debilitating. The workplace can be an overwhelming environment for autistic individuals due to sensory overload, unpredictable social interactions, and pressure to meet neurotypical expectations.

By: Cat Salladin

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had hyperfixations. There were times where I would be so wrapped up in a fairy game or a book or videos about whatever topic I was focused on at the time, that I would forget to eat!

By: Cat Salladin

The path toward understanding and recognizing autism in oneself is a deeply personal and nuanced process. For many adults, like myself, it begins with self-identification, a growing awareness that our experiences, behaviors, and ways of thinking align with what we’ve learned about autism.

By: Cat Salladin

Autism is often described as existing as a spectrum. While this may bring to mind images of a two-dimensional line, with one end being “less autistic” and the other end being “more autistic”, in reality, the autism spectrum is better visualized as a pie graph of autistic traits, with each autistic person displaying each of those traits in varying degrees.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Are you looking for a clinical psychologist with expertise in ADULT autism and ADHD in your local area? We know how challenging that can be! In fact, NeuroSpark was started based on our personal experiences and difficulties finding mental health specialists as neurodivergent adults.

By: Julie Landry

If you've been researching adult autism assessment or are in the process of self-diagnosis, you’ve probably seen the free online tests, which include the RAADS-R test.

By: NeuroSpark Health

While autism is typically diagnosed in childhood, many adults are now seeking assessments and diagnoses later in life. This is often due to increased awareness and understanding of autism, as well as a growing recognition that autism presents differently in adults compared to children.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Social anxiety and autism are two experiences that can significantly impact a person's life in a variety of ways. While they share some similarities in terms of social difficulties and anxiety, they are fundamentally different in their nature, origins, and manifestations.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Self-defense mechanisms are essential psychological strategies used by individuals to cope with reality and maintain their self-image. These mechanisms operate subconsciously and vary widely among people.

By: NeuroSpark Health

If you've recently found yourself asking, "Am I autistic?" keep reading! This blog includes common signs of autism in adults, steps to take if you suspect you might be autistic, and the benefits of identification/diagnosis. 

By: Cat Salladin

Autism and neurodiversity as a whole have garnered significant attention in recent years. Traditional, pathologizing approaches often focus on autism as a condition that needs to be treated or cured.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autism is a neurotype that can present in many different ways depending on the individual person. Often, autism is seen to create differences in communication, behavior, and social interactions.

By: Cat Salladin

The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a self-report tool developed to measure the extent to which autistic individuals engage in masking behaviors.

By: Cat Salladin

Historically, autism has been viewed through a pathologizing lens. However, autism is a natural variation in human neurology, encompassing a wide range of traits and characteristics that make each individual unique.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Both autism and BPD have historically been misunderstood and stigmatized, but a neurodiversity-affirming approach offers a more compassionate and inclusive understanding.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autistic shutdowns are a significant challenge of the autistic experience that is more common than you might think, in both children and adults.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autistic meltdowns are a significant aspect of the lived experience for many autistic adults. Unlike tantrums, which are often seen in children as a way to get what they want, meltdowns are intense responses to overwhelming situations.

By: NeuroSpark Health

In recent years, the term "tism" has gained popularity as a colloquial and affectionate shorthand for autism. While some may view it as merely a playful abbreviation, others see it as a way to embrace and normalize neurodiverse identities.

By: Cat Salladin

Autism encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental differences that affect communication, behavior, and sensory processing. A key concept within the autistic community that often goes unrecognized by neurotypical perspectives is "autistic inertia."

By: By Cat Salladin

Sensory processing involves the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into motor, emotional, and behavioral responses. Neurodivergent individuals often experience sensory information in different ways than neurotypical individuals.

By: Cat Salladin

Selective mutism (SM) is a complex and often misunderstood experience that is especially common in autistic people and creates unique communication differences, challenges, and needs.

By: Dani Rodwell

When I look up “autism therapists near me,” I’m not at all impressed with the results. I’ve done it before to try to find a therapist and for the purpose of this very blog, I tried again and let out a deep sigh of disappointment once again.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Experiencing autistic meltdowns as an adult can be an intense and recurring challenge in our lives. Autistic meltdowns as an adult, just as autistic meltdowns in children, are sometimes very difficult to predict and manage.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autism has historically been thought of as a childhood diagnosis, but many adults are also autistic without realizing it until later in life for a variety of reasons.

By: Cat Salladin

Proprioception refers to the body's ability to sense its position, movement, and spatial orientation. While proprioceptive processing operates largely subconsciously in allistic individuals, it can manifest differently in autistic individuals, contributing to variations in sensory experiences.

By: Cat Salladin

In our ever-evolving understanding of human diversity, our understanding of the concept of sensory experiences have improved tremendously in recent years.

By: Cat Salladin

Among the myriad facets of autism, hypoarousal emerges as a phenomenon often overlooked, yet profoundly influential in shaping the lived experiences of autistic individuals.

By: Cat Salladin

Within the expansive autism spectrum, alexithymia emerges as a particularly intriguing phenomenon, offering profound insights into the complexities of emotional processing and expression.

By: Cat Salladin

Language is a powerful tool in shaping our perceptions of the world and the diversity of human experiences. The importance of affirming language is evident in discussions surrounding neurodiversity, particularly in relation to autism.

By: Cat Salladin

In our contemporary understanding of the autism spectrum, there has been a gradual shift towards embracing neurodiversity—a perspective that recognizes and celebrates the inherent differences in neurological functioning among individuals.

By: Dani Rodwell

If there’s one thing I know about autistic people and ADHD people, comfort is paramount. We do things with our bodies to feel safer, to feel more regulated, to feel less awkward, and sometimes it may even look awkward to others while feeling natural and good to us.

By: Cat Salladin

Like humans, cats exhibit a wide range of behaviors that can indicate the presence of autistic traits. These behaviors may include repetitive movements, difficulty with social interactions, and sensitivity to changes in their environment.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Have you ever felt intensely focused on a single interest or task, to the extent that the world around you seems to fade away? Or perhaps you've noticed that when you concentrate on something you're passionate about, it's difficult to switch your attention to anything else.

By: NeuroSpark Health

With the rapidly expanding visibility and representation around autism as a spectrum that presents much differently and more subtly than what was stereotypically understood about autism presentations in boys and men, it is clear that women assigned female at birth (AFAB) and socialized as female, have been missed, misunderstood, and left on the sidelines without accurate diagnosis and support.

By: Tasha Raella

I hope that one day I will live in  a time when more therapists will feel safe enough to disclose their autism to clients and colleagues.

By: NeuroSpark Health

It’s remarkable how many people suspect that they might be autistic. If you don’t feel safe, comfortable, or welcome to share your thoughts, concerns, or ideas with your therapist, those feelings are worth looking into. 

By: Dani Rodwell

The community wants to know, is my boyfriend autistic?

By: NeuroSpark Health

Recognizing that you’re masking and making the choice to try to remove that mask is a personal decision and a huge step in moving toward a life of authenticity.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Asperger’s disorder is no longer used as a clinical diagnosis, but prior to the DSM-5 in 2013, Asperger’s disorder differed from autism in 4 ways. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

Starting your journey of pursuing an autism diagnosis can be overwhelming and it is often difficult to find a knowledgeable and affirming provider. The step-by-step instructions below will guide you to getting the answers you deserve.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Autism (also referred to as autism spectrum disorder or ASD by those working from a deficit-based model) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is often diagnosed in childhood.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Stimming is a behavior that helps many autistic people, but it is experienced differently for each person. Common stimming examples do not apply to everyone.

By: NeuroSpark Health

When you discuss your physical, emotional, and mental concerns with a medical professional, you’re hoping (and assuming) that they will provide answers to your problems and help you improve them. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to visit a healthcare provider and have your experiences misunderstood and invalidated.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Many of our multiply-neurodivergent clients come to us with questions about how to differentiate their autism traits and ADHD traits. It can be confusing for them to clearly understand both the overlap and the differences between autism and ADHD, as the lived AuDHD experience is multifaceted.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Society has painted a pretty limited view over the years of autistic stimming. One of the most common mainstream images of stimming is a person who is autistic rocking back and forth, almost in a state of trance.

By: NeuroSpark Health

So, is autism a disability? To be honest, it’s tricky and it deserves a much more nuanced conversation. Yes, the technical answer is that autism is a disability. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

Our understanding of autism continues to evolve as we learn more about how autism came to be recognized as a spectrum.

By: Dani Rodwell

For neurodivergent people, traveling often requires even more extensive planning and preparation.

By: NeuroSpark Health

The full impact of autistic masking is not yet publicly understood and continues to be studied, but many actually autistic people have been sharing about their masking experiences, which is incredibly validating for the rest of the community.

By: NeuroSpark Health

NeuroSpark Health shares how autism is diagnosed, autism characteristics, and strategies that can help you work through associated challenges.

By: NeuroSpark Health

At-home autism-affirming therapy can be a valuable resource to autistic people in a range of situations. Learn about benefits like specialist access.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autism coaching can be a valuable resource for autistic people looking for guidance and support.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Self-discovery is an important part of life, and it can continue well into adulthood. If you have asked yourself the question “Do I have autism?,” you may be on the path to discovering more about your identity.

By: Dr Julie Landry

Signs of autism in adults are often overlooked or dismissed. Many autistic people are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. But the diagnosis rate in women is much lower than in men. In fact, autism has a male-to-female ratio of 4:1.

By: Dr Julie Landry

The autistic community spans every corner of the globe, with more than 75 million people being diagnosed with autism across the world, and even more who are self-identified. The community is such a wonderful, magical, beautiful, and diverse group of people, and we deserve to take pride in who we are.

By: Dr Julie Landry

Therapy can be beneficial to everyone, as anyone can struggle with their mental health. But therapy for autistic adults is especially important.

By: Dani Rodwell

I was able to connect the dots on a lot of repetitive behaviors that I have been doing my entire life without even the thought that they were in fact, self-stimulatory. Stims can be very obvious and they can also be very subtle. 

By: Dr Julie Landry

While the DSM-5 lists specific diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, autism traits can present differently in adulthood than in childhood (due to a variety of factors). Here is a list of characteristics that autistic adults may experience.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Studies have shown that autistic people have a higher likelihood of identifying as having a sexual orientation and identity other than heterosexual and cisgender when compared to neurotypical people. 

By: Ama Asmad

As someone with multiple marginalized identities, including long-suspected (though still officially undiagnosed) autism, I’ve constantly reflected on what “self-acceptance” means not just in my own life, but as an objective state.

By: Jackie Schuld, ATR-BC, LPC

Why do autistics need therapy? We don’t NEED it, but it sure as hell helps.

By: Dani Rodwell

The month of April has been historically referred to as Autism Awareness Month. The first   Autism Awareness month began over 50 years ago and initially started out by the Autism Society as National Autistic Children’s Week. This observance soon expanded to Autism Awareness month. 

By: Lara Schaeffer

I remember from a pretty early age as a girl and young woman being aware that it doesn’t seem very easy being a boy…and I remember thinking about this fairly often.

By: Kate Laine-Toner

The benefits of self-discovery through having a diagnosis (either formal or through self-identification) far outweigh the negatives.

By: Tracy Smith

The characteristics of autistic females may be overlooked, their interests in books, animals, or teenage bands thought to be typical interests for their age.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autism coaching can be a valuable resource for autistic people looking for guidance and support.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autistic burnout is a debilitating state of exhaustion that adversely impacts cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning. It occurs when we expend too much energy typing to meet neuronormative expectations, navigate sensory challenges, and cope with daily responsibilities without adequate recovery time. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

Alexithymia is a term that describes difficulty in identifying, expressing, or understanding one’s own emotions. It is not a diagnosis in and of itself, and there’s no formal alexithymia test, but rather a commonly neurodivergence-related trait that can affect how people experience and process their feelings.

By: Cat Salladin

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had hyperfixations. There were times where I would be so wrapped up in a fairy game or a book or videos about whatever topic I was focused on at the time, that I would forget to eat!

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autistic shutdowns are a significant challenge of the autistic experience that is more common than you might think, in both children and adults.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Task paralysis is a common and often debilitating challenge faced by adults with ADHD. This phenomenon occurs when an individual feels completely unable to start or complete tasks, even when they have a strong desire to do so. Task paralysis can be incredibly frustrating and can significantly impact productivity and well-being.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autistic meltdowns are a significant aspect of the lived experience for many autistic adults. Unlike tantrums, which are often seen in children as a way to get what they want, meltdowns are intense responses to overwhelming situations.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is an intense emotional response or reaction to real or perceived rejection or criticism that involves overwhelming feelings of distress, inadequacy, or despair. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

Because it is not an officially recognized medical diagnosis, a formal sensory processing disorder test currently does not exist.

By: Dani Rodwell

A common question that people ask themselves when they start to explore and learn more about neurodivergence is whether zoning out is a sign of ADHD. That’s both a valid experience and a valid question.

By: NeuroSpark Health

when the ADHD brain gets overstimulated, overloaded by information, or frustrated from working too hard, it's common for us to abandon or avoid the task altogether, leading to task paralysis.

By: Dani Rodwell

Autistics and ADHDers often have an extremely tough time with task switching. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

For decades, autism was primarily viewed through the lens of how it presents in boys. This led to generations of autistic girls and women flying under the radar, often misdiagnosed or struggling without answers. Although they maybe weren’t perceived by others as autistic, they were definitely seen as different (too sensitive; too blunt; not enough, the list goes on).

By: NeuroSpark Health

"High-functioning" autism in women often goes overlooked. This is more accurately called high-masking. Learn how to identify the traits of high-masking autism.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Autism is a neurotype that can present in many different ways depending on the individual person. Often, autism is seen to create differences in communication, behavior, and social interactions.

By: NeuroSpark Health

With the rapidly expanding visibility and representation around autism as a spectrum that presents much differently and more subtly than what was stereotypically understood about autism presentations in boys and men, it is clear that women assigned female at birth (AFAB) and socialized as female, have been missed, misunderstood, and left on the sidelines without accurate diagnosis and support.

By: NeuroSpark Health

When you discuss your physical, emotional, and mental concerns with a medical professional, you’re hoping (and assuming) that they will provide answers to your problems and help you improve them. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to visit a healthcare provider and have your experiences misunderstood and invalidated.

By: Dr Julie Landry

Signs of autism in adults are often overlooked or dismissed. Many autistic people are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. But the diagnosis rate in women is much lower than in men. In fact, autism has a male-to-female ratio of 4:1.

By: Lara Schaeffer

I remember from a pretty early age as a girl and young woman being aware that it doesn’t seem very easy being a boy…and I remember thinking about this fairly often.

By: Kate Laine-Toner

The benefits of self-discovery through having a diagnosis (either formal or through self-identification) far outweigh the negatives.

By: Jessica Michaels

My autism and ADHD made it harder to recognize and emotionally deal with the fact that these inequities existed.

By: Tracy Smith

The characteristics of autistic females may be overlooked, their interests in books, animals, or teenage bands thought to be typical interests for their age.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Ever wonder if there’s a link between autism and asexuality? You're not the only one. Many autistic adults—or those questioning whether they might be autistic—experience attraction, relationships, and sexuality differently from neurotypical people. Some find that asexuality describes their experience well, while others simply feel that their views on sexuality don’t fit the norm.

By: Vanessa Quinn

NeuroSpark is celebrating Pride by amplifying the voices of neurodivergent LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse community members, like Vanessa Quinn.

By: Jennifer Alumbaugh

NeuroSpark is celebrating Pride by amplifying the voices of neurodivergent LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse community members, like Jennifer Alumbaugh.

By: Fawn Spark

NeuroSpark is celebrating Pride by amplifying the voices of neurodivergent LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse community members, like Fawn Spark.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Studies have shown that autistic people have a higher likelihood of identifying as having a sexual orientation and identity other than heterosexual and cisgender when compared to neurotypical people. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

"High-functioning" autism in women often goes overlooked. This is more accurately called high-masking. Learn how to identify the traits of high-masking autism.

By: Cat Salladin

Masking is a complex and often misunderstood behavior in neurodivergent individuals. It involves consciously or unconsciously hiding, suppressing, or altering certain aspects of one’s true self to conform to social expectations or to fit in with neurotypical norms. While masking can be a survival strategy, it is often exhausting and can lead to significant mental, emotional, and physical strain. Many neurodivergent individuals mask, which can prevent them from receiving accurate diagnoses until later in life.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Recognizing that you’re masking and making the choice to try to remove that mask is a personal decision and a huge step in moving toward a life of authenticity.

By: NeuroSpark Health

The full impact of autistic masking is not yet publicly understood and continues to be studied, but many actually autistic people have been sharing about their masking experiences, which is incredibly validating for the rest of the community.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder (SCD) is a relatively new diagnosis introduced in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) in 2013. It describes challenges in social communication, particularly in understanding and using language in social contexts.

By: NeuroSpark Heatlh

The phrase "socially awkward" often brings to mind situations where someone might struggle with traditional social cues or norms, like making eye contact, engaging in small talk, or responding quickly in conversation.

By: NeuroSpark Health

The fear of being perceived, which can also be described as the fear of “being seen,” is a particularly intense experience for many neurodivergent people.

By: Cat Salladin

Sensory processing sensitivity is a trait characterized by a heightened response to sensory stimuli, such as sights, sounds, textures, smells, and even internal sensations like hunger or pain.

By: Cat Salladin

When we talk about sensitivity, it’s easy to picture someone who’s emotionally fragile, maybe a bit prone to tears, and easily overwhelmed. Oftentimes, the word “sensitive” is used with a negative connotation, or even as an insult.

By: By Cat Salladin

Love languages—those special ways we show and receive affection—are at the heart of any relationship, whether it be a romantic relationship, friendship, or family.

By: Cat Salladin

Twice-exceptional (2e) individuals are those who are both gifted and have a neurodivergent profile, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences or disabilities. This unique combination creates a complex, often misunderstood experience, particularly for teenagers and adults navigating a world that may not fully understand their capabilities or challenges.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often discussed within the context of mental health, but its classification as neurodivergent is increasingly recognized. Neurodivergence encompasses a variety of neurological differences, including, but certainly not just limited to autism and ADHD.

By: Cat Salladin

The topic of neurodiversity has gained significant traction in recent years, sparking introspection among many individuals who wonder if they fall within its wide and diverse spectrum.

By: Jennifer Alumbaugh

"You’re lazy.”  “Maybe if you tried harder…”  “You just want the easy way out.”  “You must not care if you forget things so easily.”  “You make so many mistakes. I guess this is just not important to you.”

By: Cat Salladin

Neurodiversity celebrates the uniqueness of human brains, recognizing that differences in brain function are natural and valuable. Neurodivergent individuals, including those with conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others, contribute to the rich tapestry of human cognition and creativity.

By: Cat Salladin

One hallmark trait of neurodivergence is nervous system processing differences. Autistic individuals and other neurodivergent people may experience hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli of the world around them.

By: Cat Salladin

In today's fast-paced world, finding inner peace can sometimes seem like an elusive dream, especially for neurodivergent individuals. Balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities can take a toll on our mental and emotional wellbeing, leaving us feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

By: Dani Rodwell

In the colorful landscape of the neurodivergent community, there exists a multitude of intricate phrases and identities that help us describe who we are. Within this space, there are many different variations of the word “neurodivergent” －neurodistinct, neurowonderful, neurosparkly, neurospicy, neurodefiant, and many more.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Are you curious about your brain's unique wiring? Wondering if you might be neurodivergent? Discovering your unique neurotype can be an empowering journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.

By: Dani Rodwell

In a world that not only thrives on diversity, but actually depends on it, affirming and embracing neurodiversity is not optional. Neurodiversity is the essential variation in neurotype across all peoples.

By: Dani Rodwell

these points were brought forward by the Medical Student Section, even if it was highly amended by Reference Committee G before moving forward to the full House of Delegates, is still a huge step in the right direction.

By: Dani Rodwell

NeuroSpark cofounder Dani Rodwell shares her experience with autistic burnout and moving away from traditional 9 to 5 work to a more neuroinclusive life.

By: Dani Rodwell

I was an unidentified neurodivergent child who was being unfairly held to neurotypical expectations.

By: Dr Julie Landry

Neurodivergent clients are not getting the care that they need or the care they deserve. Healthcare providers, including mental healthcare providers, minimize, dismiss, and ignore the self-report of clients based on misconceptions and outdated beliefs about autism and ADHD.

By: Ben VanHook

The language we use within the disability and neurodivergent community is very important.

By: Julie Landry

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is characterized by an intense, anxiety-fueled resistance to the everyday demands of life. In adults, PDA often presents as an overpowering desire to maintain control over their environment and a tendency to steer clear of tasks that provoke stress.

By: Dr. Julie Landry

Adults with PDA might struggle with tasks that involve change, uncertainty, or external expectations. This frequently leads to difficulties in employment, relationships, and day-to-day functioning.

By: Vee Martin

Note: In this blog, the terms “pathological demand avoidance,” “demand avoidance,” “PDA,” “pervasive drive for autonomy,” & more are used interchangeably. This is because we want to reach everyone seeking this information no matter what search terms they use.

By: Felíz Felix

NeuroSpark is celebrating Pride by amplifying the voices of neurodivergent LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse community members, like Felíz Felix.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Stimming is a behavior that helps many autistic people, but it is experienced differently for each person. Common stimming examples do not apply to everyone.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Vocal stimming can refer to any sort of noise made with the mouth or throat, including saying words and phrases as well as repeatedly making sounds. 

By: NeuroSpark Health

Society has painted a pretty limited view over the years of autistic stimming. One of the most common mainstream images of stimming is a person who is autistic rocking back and forth, almost in a state of trance.

By: Neurospark Health

If you or someone you know is neurodivergent, you may be familiar with stimming. Short for self-stimulation, stimming refers to repetitive behaviors commonly exhibited by neurodivergent people. While stimming is often associated with autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can also involve stimming for different reasons.

By: Dani Rodwell

I was able to connect the dots on a lot of repetitive behaviors that I have been doing my entire life without even the thought that they were in fact, self-stimulatory. Stims can be very obvious and they can also be very subtle. 

By: Dr. Julie Landry

We all have routines and habits that we probably don’t even realize we do on a daily basis. And everyone has nervous habits that pop up during stressful situations, such as public speaking or meeting someone for the first time. But for people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, they may exhibit unconscious physical behaviors that help soothe their senses when they feel overwhelmed.

By: Dani Rodwell

I was an unidentified neurodivergent child who was being unfairly held to neurotypical expectations.

By: Jackie Schuld, ATR-BC, LPC

Why do autistics need therapy? We don’t NEED it, but it sure as hell helps.

By: Julie Landry

In mental health and trauma, the concept of dorsal vagal shutdown plays a pivotal but often misunderstood role. This physiological response, rooted in the complex workings of the nervous system, can profoundly impact an individual's ability to regulate emotions and navigate stressful situations.

By: NeuroSpark Health

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to handle stress well while others become completely overwhelmed? The answer lies in understanding the concept of the window of tolerance. In this blog, we will delve into the depths of the window of tolerance and its impact on our emotional well-being.