Ten Signs You Have Internalized Ableism about Your ADHD
Ableism is a destructive social attitude, like racism, that creates significant trauma for people with disabilities. But what is ableism? The definition of ableism is the beliefs or practices that devalue and discriminate against people with disabilities, assuming that they need to be ‘fixed’ or adapt to their environments, instead of the Learn More
Four Red Flags Autistic People Should Know When Dating
Sadly, autistic people are more likely to become victims of partner violence. This is not the autistic person’s fault. Unfortunately, aspects of autism can make it harder to detect and avoid abusive people. This is why it’s important to notice red flags in relationships, so that you can get out of a Learn More
A 4-Step Process For Setting And Maintaining Boundaries
Last time I wrote about boundaries, I explained what boundaries are and why they are important. This week's post will teach you about establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries through a simple four-step process. Setting boundaries is never easy, but we hope this process will reduce your level of discomfort and increase your Learn More
Women With ADHD: Here’s How To Get Help And Support
To outside observers, ADHD looks different in adult women versus men due to the effects of female hormones, comorbid conditions, gender bias, and other cultural and biological factors. As a result, women with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed—or fly under the radar entirely. Women with ADHD who don’t get help Learn More
How To Help Your Child Overcome Unemployment Depression
Job hunting is often exhausting and demoralizing for young adults. Creating stand-out resumes and cover letters takes time. Plus, many employers’ online application systems require applicants to create accounts and manually input the info from their resumes for every job they apply for. More often than not, the reward for this time Learn More
Boundaries 101: What Are Boundaries?
I recently read Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab. Her book breaks down the concept of boundaries in such a straightforward, easy-to-digest way that I have started recommending it to my clients. I was also inspired to start a blog series on this topic. This week’s post is an introduction Learn More
How To Change Careers Without Sacrificing Your Mental Health
This is the third and final part of our series on changing careers as an executive or high-stakes professional. For more career-change advice, read Part 1 and Part 2. If you’ve been following this series, you’ve already analyzed a career change’s practical pros and cons. You’ve also explored your feelings on the Learn More
5 Reasons Women Experience ADHD Differently
As adult ADHD specialists, we address attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in men and women. While members of either sex can have the full range of ADHD traits, they often experience them differently due to cultural and biological factors. For women, these differences can delay identification and complicate treatment. They can also lead to more Learn More
Is It BPD Or Autism? Thoughts From An Autism Specialist
Comparing autism vs. borderline personality disorder (BPD) reveals significant symptom overlap. For example, people with either sometimes experience acute interpersonal difficulties and struggle with black and white thinking. These similarities can, unfortunately, lead to misdiagnosis. This is especially common in autistic women, whose autistic traits are notoriously difficult to spot. Our understanding Learn More
How To Make A Better Career Decision By Looking Inward
This is the second part of a three-part series on changing careers as an executive or high-stakes professional. Access Part 1 here. Our last post helped you evaluate the external factors associated with changing careers, including salary, workload/schedule, location, and timing. This kind of analysis is key to making a practical decision, Learn More
Effective Self-Monitoring Strategies For Adults With ADHD
Self-regulation problems are a defining feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People with ADHD typically find it hard to control themselves and their behaviors, preventing them from achieving their goals. One of the underlying reasons for this is that people with ADHD often struggle to self-monitor. What is self-monitoring? Self-monitoring is the observation Learn More
How To Help Young Adult Children Without Enabling
This article is the second in a two-part series on parents enabling young adults. For more information, read Part 1—What Is Enabling? A Therapist For Young Adults Explains. As a parent, are you wondering how to encourage your child to make their own decisions, solve their own problems, and pursue their own Learn More
How To Improve Mental Organization in Adults with ADHD
Mental disorganization is a common problem among adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They can’t shake the nagging sensation that there’s something important they need to do—if only they could remember what it was. As an adult with ADHD, do you invest a lot of energy trying to “fight the forget” and stay Learn More
Autism In Relationships: How To Show Your Affection
Love is the foundation of any strong marriage or partnership, so it’s important to show your partner how much you care. But what if your demonstrations of love aren’t well-received? If your partner doesn’t seem to appreciate—or even notice—your efforts, you may feel frustrated and confused. At the same time, your partner Learn More
What Is Enabling? A Therapist For Young Adults Explains
This article is the first in a two-part series on parents enabling young adults. Read Part 2—How To Support Young Adult Children (Without Enabling Them)—for more information. Are you worried that you may be “enabling” your teenager or young adult? Perhaps a friend, counselor, or family member has warned you against “enabling Learn More
Considering Changing Careers? Here’s How To Make A Decision
This post is part of a three-part series on changing careers as an executive or high-stakes professional. Follow our blog for more information on when—and how—to change careers. If you’ve invested a lot of time and energy into your current profession, the thought of changing careers is probably pretty scary. Without being Learn More
Leveraging The Power Of Lists In Mixed Neurotype ( With an Autistic Partner) Relationships
Did you know that autism and the love of lists often go hand in hand? Many autistic people create lists of their favorite songs, shows they want to watch, or recipes they want to try, among many others. This affinity for lists is common enough that many people wonder whether making lists Learn More
Parents: Here’s A Better Way To Deal With Teenage Rebellion
After all the love they’ve given their children, most parents hope to receive love in return. Considering all the sacrifices they’ve made, they also hope for appreciation and respect. When their teenage children instead treat them with moodiness, detachment, and contempt, it’s incredibly hurtful. Teenage rebellion can also be really scary. Parents Learn More
Executives: Here’s How To Stop Being So Self-Critical
Are you worried that your inner critic may be getting out of hand? Perhaps you’ve noticed that when you make a mistake, you react more strongly—or dwell on it longer—than others do. Or maybe someone recently told you to stop being so hard on yourself. Despite your concerns, you’re reluctant to stop Learn More
How To Avoid Autistic Burnout In A Relationship
Is your partner’s constant need for attention and support at odds with your autism? They might comment that you seem cold, distant, or neglectful—despite your attempts to please them. You worry they’re asking too much of you—forcing you to choose between their wellbeing and yours. Successful romantic relationships require compromise and balance. Learn More
Organization Help For ADHD Adults Overwhelmed By Clutter
Organizing your home can provide many benefits. You’ll spend less time looking for things and more time using them. Your space will look nicer, and you’ll be more excited to spend time in it. You’ll also be less likely to create conflict with your roommate or partner. Despite these benefits, many people Learn More
5 Ways To Avoid Autism Related Communication Problems In Adult Relationships
Part of our work as adult autism therapists is to help our clients navigate the ups and downs of romantic relationships. In many cases, our clients are in a mixed-neurotype relationship (an autistic person dating or married to someone who isn’t). Communication problems are one of the most common issues we see Learn More
Lessening Social Media’s Effects on Teen & Young Adult Mental Health
The world of social media is simultaneously utopian and dystopian. Social media platforms can connect friends and families across any distance, allowing them to share in each other’s lives in previously impossible ways. On the other hand, social media has the power to isolate users, create jealousy, instill FOMO (the fear of Learn More
The Neuroscience Of Teenage Anxiety: Part 3
This series on the neuroscience of teenage anxiety was inspired by Catherine Pittman and Elizabeth Karle’s book, “Rewire Your Anxious Brain.” Welcome to the third and final part of our teenage anxiety series. In Part 1, we introduced you to the two parts of the brain that create anxiety: the amygdala and Learn More