Lauren Dawson (they/them)

ADHD - a Ferrari with bicycle breaks.

AuDHD - a Ferrari with an emergency stop button?

What do you think?

Are there any fellow warriors and weirdos on here?

Come say hello 🫀✨🗡️

The multiplicity of ND strengths and challenges The light, the dark, and the beautiful in-between

Some musings on AuDHD strengths and challenges for Neurodiversity Celebration Week - it all feels far more nuanced than 'superpowers' and 'deficits'.

open.substack.com/pub/curiousc...

Oh no, that's will not do...it's a trident!

Yeah, it's a big investment. I was fortunate enough to get mine covered by health insurance otherwise I would be on the waiting list with so many others.

That makes sense - more of a validation for others.

Any other AuDHDers here have a penchant for the existential?

There's something about the depth of these big unsolvable questions I can turn over in my mind for hours - perhaps as a mental stim.

Explains the particle physics PhD, exploring Eastern philosophy and now a fascination with psychology.

I had a similar experience with differentiating between anxiety and AuDHD. It's great that you were able to get a diagnosis quickly too. How are you feeling about the rubber stamp?

It's a lot to think about and then have the executive functioning to act on as well. Love the idea of a master list to refer to. I'm headed up for a book launch and to catch up with a friend so it should be good.

There's more...

- prepping breakfast (overnight oats) so I can eat something before I leave
- mentally preparing for the auditory and visual overwhelm
- identifying quiet cafés to recuperate in after travelling

It's 'just' a trip to London.

Nope, it's:

- researching the venue and how to get there
- planning train times and adding them to my calendar
- deciding what I will wear and laying it out
- packing my rucksack with sensory aides
- resourcing the day before
- protecting the day after for recovery

If you can, keep a room/space free of boxes so you have somewhere to retreat to if the visual noise and changes are too much.

Yes! It shifts and changes day to day, week to week. I've noticed that when I really pay attention to my sensory needs, I have a lot more energy. This then seems to directly feed into my ADHD. Then if my environment gets overwhelming, my Autistic traits are way more obvious.

Screenshot of a farm on Stardew Valley during the winter season. There is a farmhouse at the top of the image and scarecrows amongst planted crops.

I had forgotten just how much I love this game.

It's been ages since I played Stardew Valley and so much has been added, which I am gradually discovering.

I find it great for winding down, and the changing seasons are gorgeous.

I'm trying a beach-based farm this time.

Does anyone else play?

I've been in wait mode all day...

2 hours to go until my info session about support and resources for late-discovered Autistic/ADHD/AuDHD folx.

For the last minute-ers, you can still get a ticket here:
buytickets.at/curiouscoach...

And if you can't make it at 6 pm (GMT), it will be recorded.

Ooh this has been on my reading/listening list for a while. Love to hear what you think - I'm lost in 'The Name of the Wind' at the moment.

Completely understandable that you have questions. My first experience of lifelong anxiety was also around that age and no support was offered.

For the UK-based newly discovered ADHDers/Autistics/AuDHDers:

I'm running an info session tomorrow evening about the support available for adults:

- assessment pathways
- Access to Work
- my favourite books/blogs/podcasts
- communities
- coaching

If you're curious:
curious-coaching.co.uk/events

Agreed

I often think about what it would have been like to know as a child, but I also believe we come to this knowledge and awareness when we are ready for it.

This one is great too:

neurospicynonsense.com/wp-content/u...

Neuroqueer Heresies is brilliant. I also love Devon Price's 'Unmasking Autism'

Not just you, this is a thing for me every month and is quite common amongst NDs.

I found this illustration super helpful:
neurospicynonsense.com/wp-content/u...

Yep, it's a lot to process. I was 31 when I found out and it made me look back on so many parts of my life through a different lens.

Current hyperfocuses include:

- planning my trip to Japan
- learning Japanese
- AURORA (the singer, not the northern lights)
- somatic experiences of dysregulation
- learning more piano pieces by Ludovico Einaudi

Plus an extra space for whatever catches my curiosity each day.

Happy to be here. Think it will take me a little while to orientate myself.

I'm off to Japan myself soon for a whole month in the Kansai region. I've been once before 10 years ago and wanted to go back ever since.

I'm now going to scroll through all your photos to get some ideas. I'd love to hear any recommendations.

Yay, hello! Great to be connected and already love what I see over on your profile (especially the board games).

11 is good going, I think the most I've ever managed was 6.

Hello world, I'm new here and love to connect with:

🌻 late discovered Autistic/ADHD/AuDHDers
🏳️‍🌈 queer folx - especially the late bloomers
📚 those who have more than one book on the go at a time
🤔 those who are constantly curious, existential, and love a deep chat
🌱 green fingered, lovers of nature