Little Missed Neurodivergence: ADHD + Autism

Hey, folx. Here is continuation of Episode 24, as promised. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

In Singapore, there are a few recognized lanyards that will help identify someone with a (hidden) disability such as Autism. The caveat is that not everyone will understand what being autistic or wearing such a lanyard means exactly, but at least it is enough to convey that the wearer needs some form of accommodation or help! x Lauren

My younger self would not believe what a recluse I have become but the truth is that staying home helps so much with managing my ADHD + Autism overload/overstimulation/overwhelm. I did not realize that keeping to my little isolated bubble had this effect to the point of having imposter syndrome about my late diagnoses, until I ventured into the minefield of the big wide outside! Is this relatable to anyone else? x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

How my first appointment with the occupational therapist went, and attending a therapeutic group where I learned about small talk as a skill that I am simultaneously very good and really bad at. Trigger warning for mention/reference to certain sensitive topics.

Seriously, is there a how-to-socialize handbook that everyone else has which someone forgot to pass along to me? x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

This is an update on how the recent appointment with my psychiatrist (and psychologist) went - an episode probably better known as “Why won't you believe me about me?” Sigh. BRB will be eating all my feelings. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

The first time I ever heard of Ritalin was as a teenager, from a Green Day lyric which inspired the episode title; little did I know it would become an important part of my life someday. Here are some observations of how this medication helps with my ADHD and the interesting effects it has on my Autism. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence (to support my podcast)

Hello! This comes to you right from the forgotten recesses of the Notes app on my phone. x Lauren

I read Drama Queen a few months ago and it was an interesting one to revisit for this episode. x Lauren

Here are few post-diagnosis realizations about alexithymia and identifying possible strategies of support. x Lauren

Is it weird that I took my first family gathering post diagnosis as a kind of case study? How about we agree to use the word “quirky”? If you know, you know. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Hey, folx. Here is continuation of Episode 24, as promised. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergenc

My therapy sessions with my therapist of over twelve years have changed after my diagnosis of autism, but it is probably not what you think it is… x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

I am not sure if this is the double empathy problem or if something else is wrong with how I perceive things altogether. Either way, this is how it went when I was communicating with a couple of People Who Mean Well. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

My week started out eventful to understate things, but at least what happened has also provided some context for a similar experience in the past. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not recognized as a disability in Singapore, and I have a few thoughts on why that should change. Is ADHD seen as a disability where you are, and also… how does it interact with your own ASD? x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Charles Derber, a sociologist, calls it “conversational narcissism” when one has a tendency to turn the conversation back to themselves. I came across the term while trying to understand AuDHD communication differences, and am intrigued by how conversational narcissism shows up in my social exchanges. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

I think just about everyone has a rocky time being a teenager; going through puberty and the changes to our own bodies can make for some really rough transitions. That said, these parts of my teenage years now make so much more sense with through the lens of ADHD + Autism. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Has anyone whose diagnosis or diagnoses got missed by their (immediate) family also tried to figure out how it happened - or is this just my overactive brain with its tendency to overthink? Is it that our parents went undiagnosed themselves and/or are there other factors at play, such as dysfunctional family dynamics? I know in my heart of hearts that it will be impossible to say for sure, but on days like these, I really cannot help mentally going over the last few decades for some kind of clue. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Does this qualify as a good-enough reason to have cake because ahhhhh I have just passed the one year anniversary of my ADHD assessment! It feels so much longer, to be honest; some of it has to do with my difficulty around time perception, while for the most part has been all of the things that you have (probably already) heard about on previous episodes. What an adventure! On this one, I share: - why I very nearly did not ask for an ADHD assessment in the first place - what it has been like telling people in my life about my diagnoses - the limitations of being “formally” diagnosed - hearing “you don't look disabled” for the first time, and - how to go from here now that I finally and thankfully know what I know. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

UNbroken by Alexis Quinn is the third book I bought that is related to autism. This hit especially close to home; she writes about getting lost in the mental health system and how being institutionalized without neurodivergence identified can add to the trauma of living with undiagnosed conditions. Here are my thoughts on a few of the chapters and some personal anecdotes. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Did you know that getting fired is something relatively common among the autistic population, whether because of our communication differences, inability to receive accommodations, or outright discrimination? Still, I had high hopes my difficulties navigating the workplace would abate as I got older - and especially after, in my earnest idealism, disclosing to my (ex) employer. Here is a real time update of events as they unfold and I try to get around my alexithymia to figure out what I am feeling. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

One whole month since receiving my autism assessment report, which still feels a little unreal - hello, imposter syndrome! - although that might be the antidepressant withdrawal process wreaking havoc on my already flailing executive dysfunction. All in all, just another regular day in free fall. Thank you, (late-diagnosed) AuDHD brain! x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Hey, folx. Here is continuation of Episode 14, as promised. x Lauren Episode 14: Missed Signs of ADHD + Autism When I Was A Young Girl https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/littlemissednd/episodes/Episode-14-Missed-Signs-of-ADHD--Autism-When-I-Was-A-Young-Girl-e26klg5 Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

I had (idealistically) imagined that my new diagnoses would give me access to a community right away. While I feel an immediate connection to so many others' stories like never before, I am simultaneously stumbling along in learning that it is not so straightforward either. This has meant I sometimes continue to feel unsafe when putting my own personal perspective out there and it is triggering previous times I have felt unsafe because of my other marginalized identities. This episode is one where I think aloud about the experience so far. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

This is a continuation of "Episode 5: First Autism Assessment and My Experience with Medical Gaslighting" and "Episode 8: Second Autism Assessment - An Update" which are linked below, but can be listened to on its own as well. I also process some feelings that have come up for me after seeing my diagnosis printed out in black and white. x Lauren Episode 5: First Autism Assessment and My Experience with Medical Gaslighting https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rlo3eoP2tBb Episode 8: Second Autism Assessment - An Update https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/DrznESC2tBb Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Talk about an uphill battle of a violent crap show just to get to the truth of the neurology I was born with. At the time of recording, it is less than 24 hours until I pick up my autism report but it really could not feel more out of reach in the context of processing my last therapy session. I wonder if it will always be this difficult to have ADHD + Autism recognized and supported, and I am keeping others like me who are in similar circumstances in my heart. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Self-affirming and lifesaving reframe of the growing pains - literally, at times! - from my early years with this new understanding of my neurology continues. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

"Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome" was the first book I purchased on the subject of neurodivergence. It had come highly recommended and I am glad to have added it to my reading list! Here are my thoughts on a few of the chapters and some personal anecdotes. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

An update and some thoughts on the cumulative effect of being burned out from ADHD + Autistic burnout, including severe physical symptoms. I am also still trying to figure out how to explain verbal shutdowns and periods of self-isolation to neurotypicals/allistics who want an explanation for my behavior. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

This feels like the perfect storm for another meltdown - being taken out of my routine while in survival mode, otherwise known as ADHD + Autistic burnout. Will my coping strategies be enough to get me through? If I open up (more) to my coworkers, is that going to change anything? x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Today's happy accident was overcoming my executive (dys)function! x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

This was a rough one to process, but at least now I have the vocabulary for what I always struggled with because, uh, silver linings... right? (also trying to figure out how to self-support in a similar situation next time) x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

I hope this helps whoever needs it. Happy weekend, folks! x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Acting on impulse can mean engaging in unnecessary risky behavior. Please take care of yourself! x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

I hope it gets better for all of us. That's all. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Gaslighting is a term for when someone makes you doubt your reality or memory - and certainly something I never thought I would experience with a trusted medical professional. Still, it finally got me to someone qualified to diagnose autism in adults (women, in particular!) and this is how it went. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

In the longest episode so far, things get real because I have had to work through the shock and joy and what-ifs and relief of what it means to be a woman with ADHD and finally receive the appropriate treatment for it. Better late than never..? x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Is there anybody else who puts in extra EXTRA effort with their social exchanges and then still end up really missing the mark? Autism and ADHD (AuDHD) may make for some amusing-ish anecdotes but if there is a spare copy of this secret friendship guidebook that everyone else seems to have, please send it my way kthnx! x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

Late-diagnosed neurodivergence is such a trip in itself - but what if the mental health professionals already in charge of your care (for over a decade) did not put together all of the signs and symptoms? This is where the journey gets a little bumpy so strap in. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence

An introductory chapter into how I uncovered my little missed neurodivergence. Please remember to follow and stay tuned for the next episode. x Lauren Blog: https://lmnpodcast.wixsite.com/lmnpodcast/post/doctors-missed-my-adhd-autism-audhd-for-12-years-an-essay Email: littlemissedneurodivergence@gmail.com Instagram: @littlemissedneurodivergence Patreon: patreon.com/LittleMissedNeurodivergence