“Building a Life That’s Right for Me: On Living with Autism and ADHD”
“In a scary and unpredictable world, routine can calm the autistic brain and allow us to function. ADHD, on the other hand, is all about novelty. The ADHD brain hates monotony, is deadened by repetition, seeks stimulation, and rebels against structure. So how does someone with ADHD and autism find a place in this world?”
2 Comments: “Building a Life That’s Right for Me: On Living with Autism and ADHD”
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It can be either a tough or wonderful combination, often both. But I’m trying to play to my strengths. Lean into ADHD to innovate and my autistic qualities to organise plan and visually describe. When I’m fearing change on a new job it’s ok to let my distractibility loose on a task while I walk or swim. With nothing else to occupy my brain it usually focusses on the anxiety and comes up with ideas. Then I can harness those in planning and structure. For me setting up my environment and removing my own barriers has helped. And not masking who I am. It’s a privilege to be able to not mask but one that I’m running with. I’ll explain my honesty and check in with empathy to be as effective as possible.
This part: “I’ve also learned more about my unique wiring, and recognized how my autistic neurology can build the reliable structures that allow my ADHD neurology to create new and interesting things.” This is the part that I need help figuring out how to do! Any suggestions?? Many thanks in advance!