The Divergent Voice

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: 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

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

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

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.

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: 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: 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

Being able to recognize whether you experience rejection sensitive dysphoria, and how it shows up for you, is a powerful aspect of self-awareness that could be helpful for you to better manage it.

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: 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

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

The community wants to know, is my boyfriend autistic?

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: 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.