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
5 Values That Improve Mixed-Neurotype Communication
Communication-related conflict is a normal part of all relationships. In our experience as adult autism therapists, it is equally prevalent in autism-affected romantic relationships. If you’re autistic—but your partner isn’t—you may be wondering how autism can affect communication in mixed-neurotype relationships. You may also be searching for ways to reduce misunderstandings that Learn More
How To Regulate Emotions As An Adult With ADHD
Anyone who’s ever heard of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder knows that people with ADHD struggle to direct and control their attention. What’s not well-known is that ADHD can also cause difficulties in controlling one’s emotions, a condition psychologists refer to as emotional dysregulation. Clinical studies suggest that as many as 70% of adults Learn More
The Neuroscience Of Teenage Anxiety: Part 2
This three-part series on the neuroscience of teenage anxiety was inspired by Catherine Pittman and Elizabeth Karle’s book, “Rewire Your Anxious Brain.” Our last post introduced two regions of the brain involved with teenage anxiety: the cerebral cortex and the amygdala. This week, we explain how to recognize and manage anxiety that Learn More
How To Overcome College Anxiety This Fall
Thousands of California college students recently started fall classes. As they adjust to new schedules, workloads, and relationships, many face an increasing number of stressors in their lives. Ten tips for starting a new semester As therapists for college students, we teach young adults how to overcome college-related anxiety and manage other Learn More
The Neuroscience Of Teenage Anxiety: Part 1
A few months ago, I read a book by Catherine Pittman and Elizabeth Karle called “Rewire Your Anxious Brain.” This book takes a neuroscience-focused view of anxiety management. Reading this book has rekindled my interest in the biological side of anxiety, which doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. Many anxiety Learn More
Autism-Friendly Career Development Advice For Adults
As adult autism specialists, we are often asked how to be successful with autism. Typically, our clients want to know what jobs are good for adults with so-called “high-functioning” autism. (Learn about why we don't use functioning labels) We agree that it’s essential to explore career pathways that play to a person’s Learn More
How To Build A Good Relationship With Your College Professor
Many undergraduates don’t realize how important the student-professor relationship is until they need something from their instructor. If you’re a college student, it might not have occurred to you that your professor can be much more to you than just the person who instructs you and grades your exams. If you have Learn More