Understanding Neurodiversity: Thriving with ADHD and Autism

What does it really mean to be neurodivergent, and how can we better support people with ADHD and autism at work, at school, at home and in everyday life?In this episode of ConnectForHealth, the live well-being webinar and podcast from Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa, produced with mentl, Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, and Maissa Al Khafajy, Head of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications at Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa, explore neurodiversity through clinical expertise, workplace insight and lived experience.Scott shares his own experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, and the emotional process of reinterpreting school, work, relationships and self-belief through a new lens.He is joined by Sarah Christensen, Organisational Psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of Christensen Consultancy, who also brings lived experience of ADHD, and Dr Valentina Faia, Specialist Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist at BioPsychoSocial Clinic, with more than 20 years’ experience and specialist expertise in neurodivergence, including ADHD, autism and giftedness.Together, they unpack what ADHD really is, why diagnosis can be missed for years, how neurodivergence can show up differently in adults, children, men and women, and why support should focus less on “fixing” people and more on understanding how they function best.This conversation explores the myths, stigma and practical realities of neurodiversity, from children struggling in school to adults masking at work, from parents seeking answers to organisations trying to build more inclusive cultures.Topics include:What neurodiversity, ADHD and autism really meanWhy ADHD is not simply distraction or hyperactivityThe emotions that can come with late diagnosisHow girls and women may be missed or diagnosed laterWhy high performance can hide hidden struggleWhat parents should look for in childrenHow assessment and diagnosis can helpMedication, exercise, therapy and other support routesWhat workplaces can do to reduce unnecessary frictionHow to support neurodivergent colleagues, children, partners and friendsThis episode is for anyone who recognises themselves, their child, their partner, their colleague or their team in this conversation.Neurodiversity is not about lowering expectations. It is about understanding difference, reducing shame and creating the conditions where people can thrive.Chapter list02:17 Meet Sarah Christensen and Dr Valentina Faia02:46 What neurodiversity really means08:07 ADHD beyond distraction and hyperactivity13:27 Sarah Christensen on recognising her own ADHD15:04 Why ADHD affects relationships, teams and daily life19:36 Late diagnosis, stigma and being open at work22:27 Poll: the biggest myths around ADHD and autism26:37 How assessment and diagnosis work32:24 The emotional impact of late diagnosis35:17 Workplace support and reasonable adjustments36:25 ADHD in children: what parents should look for43:40 Poll: what practical support would help most45:37 Masking, burnout and invisible effort47:35 Audience questions: work, speech, fairness and emotional regulation51:36 Supporting neurodivergent children at school55:11 How to keep performing when the wheels start to come off57:05 ADHD, relationships and rejection sensitivity59:07 Where to find support and final reflections