Mental Health

Ep. 27/ Mindfulness for Neurodiverse Families with Dr. Rabia Subhani

by
mindfulness for neurodiverse families

My guest today is Dr. Rabia Subhani, neuropsychologist, certified mindfulness teacher (many times over!), and mother of an autistic child. Rabia is the creator of Mindful Village®, a secular eight to twelve week program geared towards the parents and caregivers of  neurodiverse children. On this episode of Neurodiverging, Dr. Rabia and I are discussing what … Read more

Ep. 25/ Executive Function Tips: Automation & the Activity Partner

by

As a life coach, I work with a lot of autistic and/or ADHD folks who have trouble with executive function skills, like prioritizing and organizing tasks, procrastination, difficulty getting started on a project, and other similar challenges.

If this sounds like you, then I'm here to tell you more about what executive function is and isn't, and to introduce you to two strategies to help strengthen your executive function skills: automation, and the activity partner. 

Plus, sign up here to receive a 7-page guide and workbook to help you choose an activity partner and get the most value out of your time together!

Or, join the Patreon to download this booklet, the Getting Unstuck Check-In, and many other resources today!

Read more

Get Things Done With An Activity Partner, Shadow, or Body Double

by

It’s very common for neurodivergent folks to have trouble staying attentive to a task that is not interesting to us. Even when we are trying to focus on the things we have to do, it can be hard to keep on-task.

Some of the most common concerns are issues like:

  • You didn’t plan how to approach the project, so now it’s hard to find a place to start.
  • You didn’t consider how much time the project will take, or have under- or overestimated how long it will take (sometimes drastically!).
  • You got started and then forgot what your goal was.
  • You got started and then got distracted with some other task.
  • You got started and then got frustrated, and weren’t able to talk yourself into persisting with the project.

Having an activity partner nearby can help with all of these situations.

Read more

Book Review: The Anxiety Book for Trans People: How to Conquer Your Dysphoria, Worry Less and Find Joy by Freiya Benson

by
The Anxiety Book for Trans People review

The Anxiety Book for Trans People: How to Conquer Your Dysphoria, Worry Less and Find Joy by Freiya Benson

Expected publication: May 21st 2021 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for offering an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Anxiety Book for Trans People is an accessible, easy-to-read guide on handling anxiety as a trans person. Author Freiya Benson disclaims early on that she's decided to use "trans" as an umbrella term for anyone not cis, and as a genderqueer/ agender person, I thought that worked out fine.

Benson approaches the intersectionality of being trans and having anxiety with a casual, personable style, and covers such topics as social anxiety, handling anxiety about medical services, coming out as trans/ not cis, and anxiety's effects on dysphoria.

Interspersed with these chapters are short Q&A interviews with other trans folks who deal with anxiety, which offer welcome additional perspectives to Benson's own experiences.

I think this book is sorely needed. It's targeted at the general audience with no assumptions made about a reader's academic knowledge about gender identity, transgender issues, or anxiety disorders. It offers good, basic practical advice and favors realistic tips over theoretical discussion.

That said, there were some places where I felt like a little more reference to theory would have been helpful, or would have grounded the advice somewhat. I also feel that if you have some background in gender studies, trans studies, etc., and/or if you've been dealing with anxiety and/or have been out as trans for a while, a lot of this information will not be new to you. The book still works well as an introduction, though, or a reminder. I enjoyed it very much.

Buy on Amazon.

Buy on Bookshop.

How Do I Find A Therapist? A Guide For Neurodivergent Folks

by
how do i find a therapist neurodivergent autistic

Today’s episode is based on a listener question: Jenna wrote, “How do you go about finding a therapist as a neurodivergent person? Are there specific things to look for, or avoid?”

🎧 Rather listen than read this post? This Asked & Answered is based off of Episode 20 of the Neurodiverging Podcast! 

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

This post is also available as a Name-Your-Own-Price PDF at Gumroad, complete with a formatted table of contents, works cited page, and a BONUS Suggested Reading list.

 

Click here to learn more!

I want to give a warm thank you to Zach, David, and Teresa! Thank you for supporting this episode of Neurodiverging!

  • hit the subscribe button to make sure you are notified when there’s a new episode!
  • check Neurodiverging out on Patreon! I run the podcast and blog by myself, so come be one of my first patrons and support this podcast!

Read more

Safe Spiritual Spaces for Neurodivergent People / Rev. Catharine Clarenbach

by
catharine clarenbach neurodivergent religious spiritual

Exciting news! Reverend Clarenbach, this week’s guest on Neurodiverging, is holding a special event this Saturday, 12/19/2020. Learn more at her website, thewayoftheriver.com, or read “Going Into the Dark” below. I’m honored to be joined on this week’s episode by Reverend Catharine Clarenbach. Catharine is a white, fat, cis woman, a sovereign queer femme with … Read more

How Can We Take Better Care of Neurodiverse Women? These 3 Interviews Shed Some Light.

by
How Can We Take Better Care of Neurodiverse Women

How can we take better care of neurodiverse women? That’s the question we’re trying to shed some light on today. 🎧 Rather listen than read this post? This post is based off of Episode 13 of the Neurodiverging Podcast! Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify Misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis. Disbelief from doctors and mental health professionals after you explain your … Read more

How to Define Perseveration in Autism Spectrum Disorder

by
define perseveration in autism

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about some common traits of autism spectrum disorder, and the question of how to define perseveration with regards to autism came up. I've experienced perseveration, and I notice it in my children with autism and ADHD. But, I found it oddly difficult to describe to my friend, and realized I didn't quite know how to explain it. So, I did a little research on perseverative thinking, behaviors, and language.

🎧 Rather listen than read this post? This post is based off of Episode 14 of the Neurodiverging Podcast! Listen on Pandora | Google Podcasts | Spotify

This post is also available as a Name-Your-Price PDF at Gumroad.

Click here to learn more!

Read more

On Overwhelm and Neurodiversity: You’re Doing Better Than You Think You Are

by
overwhelm and neurodiversity

I think one of the most common “symptoms” of neurodiversity is overwhelm. We’re all trying our best in a world and society that aren’t right for us. It’s really easy to feel like we’re constantly behind where everybody else is, especially as a young adult. On Overwhelm and Neurodiversity Let me tell you, you are … Read more

What Does Autistic Stimming Look Like?

by
what does autistic stimming look like

When most people think about stimming, they think about vocal tics and flapping hands. But what does autistic stimming look like, really? Please, let me, an actual autistic person, tell you about it! What Is Stimming? The word “stim” is short for “self-stimulatory,” and refers to any repetitive behavior, like movement, or making a sound, … Read more

s2Member®