Danielle Dryden

What to expect (and what no one really tells you) There often comes a moment where something begins to make sense. You might come across ADHD or autism content and feel a quiet sense of recognition, like something is finally putting words to experiences you’ve carried for a long time. For some, that moment brings relief. For others, it brings more questions than answers. And very quickly, one question tends to rise to the surface: Should I go for a diagnosis? It sounds like a

A person sat on the floor tired with pots and pans needing to be cleaned. If you're an autistic or ADHD diagnosed adult, autistic burnout  can feel like your whole system has run out of road. It's a deep exhaustion, a drop in day-to-day function, and a much lower tolerance for ordinary demands after long-term stress. Most of all, it isn't laziness, weakness, or a sign that you're failing to cope. More often, burnout builds slowly, like carrying weight for so long that your bo

Asking for adjustments can feel heavier than the request itself. For many autistic and ADHD adults, the real fear isn't the change. It's being seen as difficult, needy, dramatic, or like a problem. That fear makes sense. If you've masked for years, been brushed off, or pushed through burnout, even a small ask can feel loaded. But asking for adjustments isn't asking for special treatment. It's asking for the conditions that make safety, focus, and participation possible. Once

You say yes when your body says no. You copy the tone in the room, laugh a beat late, hold yourself still, and stay switched on long after everyone else has gone home. For many AuDHD adults, life can feel like acting and firefighting at the same time. AuDHD means living with both autistic and ADHD traits. The adaptive self is the part that learns how to stay safe, accepted, and understood. It is not failure, fakery, or weakness. It is a smart response to pressure. That matter

Female sat at a table in her home facing away from the camera Understanding Task Initiation in Autism & ADHD Task initiation is not about motivation or willpower. It is primarily linked to how the brain manages: Executive Functioning Prediction & Uncertainty Effort vs Reward processing Nervous System Activation For autistic ADHDers, starting a task can feel like trying to move with the brakes on - not because you won't, but because your brain is not yet in a 'go' state. What

You sit down to answer a few emails. Your chest tightens. You open one message and it’s a “quick request” with a deadline, a calendar invite, and three follow-ups. You want to reply, you even know what to say, but your brain hits the brakes. Suddenly you’re scrolling, snacking, cleaning the sink, doing anything except the thing. For some neurodivergent adults, that stuck feeling isn’t laziness or poor timekeeping. It can be part of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), sometim

Female resting with a hot drink reading a book Neurodivergent recovery usually needs three things: reduced input, reduced demand, and nervous system settling. Sleep helps with one of those — but not all You go to bed at a decent time. You get “enough” hours. Then you wake up feeling like your brain’s already been running meetings without you. If you’re ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, or you relate to more than one of those, that tired feeling can be confusing. It’s not a

A myth-busting, neurodiversity-affirming guide to mirror neurons, autism, and ADHD, with practical insights for learning and everyday social situations.

What is Strengths-Based Journaling? Strengths-based journaling is a way of writing that flips the usual script. Instead of focusing on what’s hard or what you think you “should” fix, it asks you to notice what you’re already doing well. For neurodivergent adults, this gentle shift can bring much-needed balance. You get to spot the good bits of your day, however small. Over time, you start to see your value in a new light. Think of it as training your mind to see your own best

Image from Unsplash - A Rucksack on a Rock against a sunny and grassy background. To represent the weight AuDHD individuals carry with...

Coaching with a positive psychology lens taps into what makes each person unique, especially neurodivergent individuals. Neurodivergence...

What Is a Cringe Attack? A cringe attack is when a memory — often embarrassing, awkward, or painful — suddenly surfaces without warning....

Male sat on a chair leaning back with a visual representation of a busy mind. Autism and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)...

ADHD and Task Initiation and How Employers Can Help

Family estrangement is a difficult experience, and for neurodivergent individuals, it can carry unique challenges. Differences in...

Burnout is hard enough, but when you're part of a neurodivergent family, the challenges can feel overwhelming. Between juggling unique...

Parenting can be tough, but when both you and your child are neurodivergent, it brings its own set of challenges. Meltdowns, whether...

Understanding It’s easy to think we understand neurodivergence, but many of the conversations around it are clouded by myths. These...

When Neurodivergence and Domestic Abuse Intersect Recognising domestic abuse can be challenging, particularly for neurodivergent...

Socialising & Neurodivergence equals social hangover Have you ever felt completely drained after spending time with others, even when it...