The AuDHD Psych Podcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 19: AuDHD Is More Than the Sum of Its Parts – Cognitive Differences, Energy Economy & Late DiagnosisIn this episode of the AuDHD Psych Podcast, clinical psychologist Aaron Howearth and co-host Dan explore why AuDHD isn't simply Autism plus ADHD, but a distinct presentation with its own cognitive, emotional, and behavioural fingerprint. Drawing on clinical work, lived experience, and recent research, Aaron traces the diagnostic history back to the DSM-5 (2013) — the first time Autism and ADHD could be formally co-diagnosed — and explains why anyone diagnosed before 2015 may have had half their neurotype missed.Aaron and Dan dig into the cognitive differences that set AuDHD apart, including a study showing AuDHD young people experience greater difficulties than their autistic or ADHD peers across planning, attention, simultaneous processing, and successive processing. They unpack the energy economy of AuDHD — how the tug-of-war between routine-seeking autistic characteristics and novelty-seeking, impulsive ADHD characteristics drives masking, burnout, anxiety, and depression — and reframe these patterns through a "different, not defective" lens that centres environment, context, and self-knowledge. Throughout, they offer practical, shame-free reflections on self-identification, late diagnosis grief, adaptive functioning, finding affirming clinicians, and the strengths of an AuDHD problem-solving brain.Key Themes & TakeawaysAuDHD Is Not Just Additive – AuDHD includes autistic characteristics, ADHD characteristics, and unique features that exist outside either diagnosis on its own.Diagnostic History Matters – Pre-2013 DSM rules blocked co-diagnosis, meaning many adults diagnosed before 2015 likely had half their profile missed.Cognitive Profile Differences – Research suggests AuDHD young people show greater differences across planning, attention, simultaneous and successive processing than autistic-only or ADHD-only peers.Energy Economy & Burnout – Holding routine-seeking and novelty-seeking together costs cognitive and emotional energy, increasing masking, stress, and burnout risk.Anxiety, Depression & Internalising – AuDHDers are more likely to internalise and mask, layering additional anxiety on top of the additive load of both neurotypes.Early vs Late Diagnosis – Late identification can bring grief for "what could have been," but also self-forgiveness and the relief of finally understanding your own brain.Adaptive Functioning in Daily Life – From booking holidays to grocery shopping and showering, AuDHD cognitive differences ripple into self-concept, health, and PDA-style avoidance.Strengths of the AuDHD Brain – Systems and detail orientation (Autism) plus associative, tangential thinking (ADHD) creates a powerful problem-solving brain.Self-Advocacy with Clinicians – Ask for assessment of both Autism and ADHD, and check the clinician understands current AuDHD-specific science, masking interactions, and lived experience research.Reframing "In Between" – AuDHDers aren't half-autistic and half-ADHD; they're both and more — a whole buffet of characteristics, not a single dish.Different, Not Defective – Change the environment and expectatioSupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 18: Understanding AuDHD in the Real World - Time Blindness, Planning & Task InitiationIn this episode of the AuDHD Psych Podcast, clinical psychologist Aaron Howearth and co‑host Dan explore why getting started on “simple” tasks can feel impossibly hard for AuDHD brains, even when the motivation and desire are absolutely there. Drawing on clinical work and lived experience, Aaron explains prospective memory (remembering to do things in the future), time blindness, and executive function differences that turn “make a phone call” or “apply for uni” into an overwhelming tangle of steps, fears, and past experiences of running out of time.Aaron and Dan unpack the urgency cycle and last‑minute sprint – why panic can act as a powerful attention anchor, but also reinforces anxiety, exhaustion, and the belief that you “only work under pressure.” They tease apart procrastination from task initiation difficulty, and look at how ADHD impulsivity and autistic set‑shifting differences interact in AuDHD, making it harder to switch away from interests toward boring, complex, or ambiguous tasks. Throughout, they offer practical, shame‑free strategies like timers, reminders, body doubling, and micro‑steps, while emphasising self‑compassion: this isn’t laziness, it’s a different brain that needs different tools.Key Themes & TakeawaysProspective Memory & Time Blindness – How remembering future intentions and accurately sensing time are both executive functions that often work differently in AuDHD.Planning Load & Overwhelm – Why not knowing all the steps (e.g., applying for uni, legal admin) makes tasks feel impossibly big and easy to avoid.Urgency Cycle & “Last‑Minute Only” Mode – How relying on panic to get started reinforces anxiety, burnout, and the belief that you can’t begin until it’s almost too late.AuDHD Interaction, Not Just Addition – How ADHD impulsivity/inattention plus autistic set‑shifting and intense interests create unique patterns of inertia and stuckness.Task Initiation vs Procrastination – Differentiating moralised “putting things off” from genuine difficulty initiating action, even on important, wanted tasks.Timers, Reminders & External Time Anchors – Using visual/auditory timers, layered reminders, and alarms to compensate for internal time blindness.Body Doubling & Social Accountability – How doing tasks alongside another person (in‑person or virtual) can anchor attention and make planning or admin more doable.Micro‑Steps & First‑Step Reframes – Breaking tasks into tiny, concrete actions (“just set the alarm,” “just make the call”) to reduce overwhelm and build new patterns.Self‑Compassion Over Shame – Reframing “lazy” or “inconvenient” narratives into an understanding that AuDHD brains need tailored strategies, not harsher self‑talk.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 17: Understanding AuDHD in the Real World - Sensory Processing and Overwhelm in ADHD, Autism & AuDHDEpisode SummaryIn this episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast, Aaron Howearth explores how sensory profiles shape daily life for autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD individuals. Why does a flickering light, a chatty colleague, or a tag in your shirt seem to "set you off" — when really, you've been quietly carrying that load all day?Drawing from clinical psychology and lived experience, Aaron explains how neurodivergent nervous systems often process sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, balance, and body position differently from the average person. He unpacks why these differences are not defects, but a mismatch between our sensory profile and environments built for typical sensory experience.Aaron introduces the build-up model of overwhelm — how small sensory costs accumulate across the day until what looks like an overreaction is actually a proportionate response to hours of unseen strain. He links sensory load to attention, masking, emotional regulation, and burnout, and explains how sensory gating, hidden coping, and reduced tolerance can spiral into a vicious cycle.This episode offers validation, language, and practical strategies for identifying high-cost sensory channels, designing neuroaffirming environments, and treating sensory fit as a legitimate accessibility issue rather than special treatment.Key Themes & TakeawaysSensory Profiles Explained – How autism, ADHD, and AuDHD involve over- and under-sensitivity across multiple sensory dimensions.The Build-Up Model of Overwhelm – Why the "last straw" reaction reflects cumulative load, not fragility.Sensory Gating & Attention – How difficulty filtering input amplifies inattention, frustration, and cognitive fatigue.Masking the Sensory Cost – How suppressing sensory reactions drains energy and feeds burnout.Mental Health Impact – Why visual, auditory, and tactile sensitivities strongly link to anxiety, mood, and overwhelm.Environmental Design – Practical adjustments: lighting, headphones, quiet zones, predictability, exits, and breaks.Tracking What Works – Why outcomes matter more than assumed-helpful strategies.Reframing Overreaction – Moving from "too sensitive" to recognising a nervous system doing extra work in a world not built for it.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 16: AuDHD in the Real World - Masking, Burnout & UnmaskingEpisode SummaryIn this episode of the AuDHD Psych Podcast, Aaron Howearth unpacks masking and camouflaging as neurodivergent survival strategies. He explains how autistic and ADHD people learn conscious and unconscious ways of “passing” as typical, such as practised eye contact, softened honesty, and scripted conversations, often long before they have words for their neurodivergence. Aaron explores how this constant self‑monitoring and suppression of stims, emotions, and sensory needs drains cognitive and emotional energy, contributing to exhaustion, low social battery, and executive functioning crashes. He also touches on late diagnosis, identity confusion, and grief around not knowing “where the mask ends and I begin.” Throughout, he reframes “disorder” as a mismatch between neurodivergent needs and environmental demands, normalises collapse after masking‑heavy days, and invites listeners to compare one high‑cost masking context with one low‑mask or safe environment.Key Themes & TakeawaysWhat Masking Is – Compensatory behaviours neurodivergent people use to meet typical social, sensory, and behavioural expectations and to “pass” as non‑neurodivergent.Conscious vs Unconscious Masking – Habits like practised eye contact versus deliberate strategies such as softening blunt corrections or scripting conversations.Cognitive Load & Exhaustion – Self‑monitoring, impulse suppression, and managing tone, face, and stims consume working memory and lead to exhaustion and executive crashes.Sensory & Stim Suppression – Hiding stims and enduring uncomfortable environments increase stress and reduce emotional and cognitive capacity.Identity & Imposter Feelings – Long‑term masking can blur the line between self and performance, fuelling imposter syndrome and grief about “who I could have been.”Masking as Safety Behaviour – Framed as a survival strategy to avoid stigma and rejection, even while it can worsen mental health over time.Mismatch, Not Defectiveness – “Disorder” is located in the mismatch between neurodivergent traits and environmental expectations, not in personal failure.High‑ vs Low‑Cost Contexts – Listeners are invited to notice where masking is most draining versus where they can be more authentic and safe.Reframing Collapse – Post‑social collapse and burnout are described as the result of prolonged effort in non‑accommodating spaces, not weakness.Community & Normalisation – Competence collapse, grief, and confusion are positioned as common, shared neurodivergent experiences rather than individual defects.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 14: Rejection Sensitivity & Dysphoria in ADHD, Autism & AuDHDEpisode SummaryIn this episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast, Aaron Howearth explores rejection sensitivity, emotional intensity, and rejection sensitive dysphoria through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. He explains why some autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD people experience emotions as suddenly overwhelming, especially when past experiences of rejection, exclusion, or social misunderstanding shape how current situations are interpreted.Drawing from clinical psychology, Aaron describes emotions as a bodily response to our cognitive appraisal of context, then links that to fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and flop responses, as well as differences in interoception and alexithymia. He shows how rejection sensitivity can amplify ambiguous social cues, how anticipation of rejection can feel as painful as rejection itself, and why people may move quickly from calm to intense dysphoria without noticing emotion building in the background.Aaron also discusses how these patterns can contribute to people pleasing, self-sacrifice, masking, burnout, and interpersonal stress, and how they can resemble some features often associated with borderline personality disorder without reducing people to a label. He then offers practical strategies, including using the NICE framework, redirecting attention toward novelty, interest, challenge, or emergency, and replacing “you’re too much” with a more compassionate understanding that people are responding to context, not failing as people.Key Themes & TakeawaysEmotions as Body + Context – How emotional intensity emerges from the body’s response to our appraisal of current and past context, not from feelings alone.Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, Flop – How different threat appraisals map onto distinct survival responses, from fighting and escaping to shutting down or dissociating.Rejection Sensitivity – How repeated real or perceived rejection can prime people to interpret ambiguity as exclusion and to miss positive social cues.Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria – How the lived experience of intense distress around rejection is recognised in community, even though it is not a formal diagnosis.Alexithymia and Interoception – How difficulty identifying emotions, and differences in sensing internal states, can make emotions feel sudden or hard to regulate.People Pleasing V Self-Sacrifice – How prioritising others’ needs over one’s own can become a safety strategy shaped by exclusion, masking, and fear of rejection.Burnout and Interpersonal Stress – How chronic self-suppression and social threat detection can compound stress and contribute to autistic burnout.NICE Framework in Practice – How novelty, interest, challenge, and emergency can be used to anchor attention and support regulation when emotions become intense.Self-Compassion and Belonging – How replacing “you’re too much” with “you’re just the right amount” supports a more humane, community-based understanding of neurodivergent experience.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 14: AuDHD in the Real World – School, Work, Relationships and BurnoutEpisode SummaryIn this episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast, clinical psychologist Aaron Howearth moves from talking about AuDHD traits in theory to how they actually show up across school, work, relationships, and daily life. He explores what school can look like for autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD kids behind the report cards: bright, capable students who miss key details because their attention is pulled to everything happening around them, collecting “failure” experiences and perfectionistic self‑criticism even when they’re genuinely trying. Aaron shares a primary‑school story about getting absorbed in playground handball, missing a chance to use the bathroom, then rigidly following a teacher’s “you should have gone at recess” rule and wetting himself in class, illustrating how interest‑based attention and autistic rule‑keeping can collide in inflexible systems.He then looks at why neurodivergent students so often struggle more consistently than their neurotypical peers: the extra cognitive load of sitting still, suppressing stims, noticing every distraction, and trying to hold and process information in working memory at the same time. Aaron explains how people whose overall abilities are above average can still have relative weaknesses in working memory or processing speed that make standard classrooms and “just keep up with the teacher” delivery especially hard. Rather than framing these differences as laziness or defect, he reframes them as a mismatch between our cognitive profiles and systems designed by and for the statistical middle, and outlines practical accommodations like extra test time, movement breaks, and offering information in multiple formats.Shifting into adulthood, Aaron discusses how the same patterns re‑emerge at work: fluorescent lights that trigger migraines, noisy open‑plan offices that overload attention, and instructions given in ways that don’t match a person’s processing style. He emphasises that adjustments like quieter rooms, flexible lighting, clear written instructions, and task structures that fit how someone’s brain works are not special treatment but good workplace design.Key Themes & TakeawaysExecutive Functioning & School – How distractibility, missed details, and perfectionism shape self‑esteem and “I’m not good enough” narratives from early on.Rules, Rigidity & Social Fallout – How autistic rule‑following and ADHD‑style attention can combine to create painful but misunderstood social moments.Systems and Mismatch – Why education and workplace systems built around the “average” brain leave neurodivergent people overworking just to keep pace.Working Memory & Processing Speed – How uneven cognitive profiles make standard teaching and instruction styles harder, and why multi‑format information helps.Workplaces, Sensory Load & EF – The impact of lights, noise, busyness, and unclear instructions on task completion, performance, and wellbeing.Masking, Burnout & Capacity – What it looks like when masking tips into neurodivergent burnout, and why change needs to happen before full collapse.Relationships & Assumptions – How an “all the details” brain plus anxiety can generate inaccurate, negatively skewed stories about other people.Redefining “Disorder” – Viewing diagnosis as a description of mismatch between person and environment, not proof of personal defect.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 13: Understanding AuDHD – Executive Functioning and Daily Life (Part 2)Episode SummaryIn this episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast, clinical psychologist Aaron Howearth moves from explaining executive functioning to exploring practical ways autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD people can work with their brains in daily life. He looks at how differences in working memory, processing speed, time perception, self-monitoring, and motivation interact with anxiety and self-esteem, and why our capacity to start, continue, and finish tasks can swing so dramatically from day to day.Aaron describes how an ADHD-style “problem-solving brain” can flip into a “problem-finding brain” when worry and rumination take over, especially in generalized anxiety. He introduces worry postponement (also called worry time or the worry chair) as a structured way to park worries during the day, revisit them briefly in a time-limited “worry window,” and reclaim attention for the people, tasks, and moments that matter. Read more about worry postponement here: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Mental-Health-Professionals/Generalised-Anxiety/Generalised-Anxiety---Information-Sheets/Generalised-Anxiety-Information-Sheet---05---Postpone-your-Worry.pdfHe also shares neurodivergent-friendly tools for time blindness, task initiation, and follow-through: externalising time with alarms, visual timers, and apps; body doubling and social accountability; reducing visual clutter and sensory load; and building routines gradually through habit stacking rather than overwhelming, all-or-nothing life overhauls. Throughout the episode, Aaron reframes “disorder” not as something inherent to autistic or ADHD traits, but as a mismatch between our brains and inflexible environments and expectations, inviting a more compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming way to understand executive functioning differences.Key Themes & TakeawaysExecutive Functioning & Self-Concept – How repeated struggles with organisation, planning, and follow-through shape self-esteem and internal narratives like “I’m a failure.”ADHD Problem-Solving vs Problem-Finding – When a fast, creative brain shifts into scanning for everything that might go wrong and filling the gaps with negative assumptions.Worry Postponement – Using scheduled worry time to note worries during the day, revisit them briefly later, and reduce rumination while still letting the brain feel heard.Environmental Accommodations – Supports like written instructions, reduced visual clutter, sensory adjustments, and breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.Time Blindness & Externalising Time – Making time concrete with timers, alarms, visual countdowns, and short, structured work blocks (e.g. Pomodoro-style sprints).Body Doubling & Accountability – Using co-working, study buddies, supervisors, therapists, or friends as external anchors while respecting strong drives for autonomy.Habit Stacking & Routine – Attaching new behaviours to existing habits so helpful routines become more automatic and less dependent on motivation in the moment.Redefining “Disorder” – Viewing diagnosis as a description of mismatch between person and environment rathSupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 13: Executive Functioning in Daily Life: ADHD, Autism & AuDHDEpisode SummaryIn this episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast, Aaron Howearth explores how executive functioning shapes everyday life for autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD individuals. Why do tasks that “should” be simple – studying, working, organising the day, or following through on plans – so often feel overwhelming or impossible, even when we know exactly what we’re meant to be doing?Drawing from both clinical psychology and lived experience, Aaron explains executive functions as the brain’s “mental mechanics”: planning, organisation, working memory, impulse control, sustained attention, and cognitive flexibility. He unpacks how differences in these areas are common across neurodevelopmental conditions and how they influence our ability to start, persist with, and complete tasks in real-world contexts.Aaron also explores the apparent contradiction between autistic and ADHD profiles – rules, structure, and rigidity on one side; impulsivity, distractibility, and jumping between tasks on the other – and how these traits can coexist within AuDHD individuals. Rather than seeing executive functioning as a fixed trait, he highlights how attention, motivation, and follow-through shift with factors like environment, stress, novelty, interest, and internal state.This episode offers clarity, validation, and a practical language for understanding why executive functioning challenges show up the way they do, and invites a more compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming perspective on how we navigate daily life with different “mental mechanics.”Key Themes & TakeawaysExecutive Functions Explained – What planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, impulse control, and self-monitoring are, and how they operate as the brain’s day-to-day management system.ADHD Executive Profiles – How inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, delay intolerance, and working memory challenges affect studying, work tasks, multi-step activities, and follow-through.Autistic Executive Profiles – How differences in flexibility and planning show up as routines, rules-based thinking, “rigidity,” and difficulty shifting track in conversations or when plans change.AuDHD Internal Tension – Why having both rule-following drives and impulsive, distractible tendencies can create chronic stress, self-criticism, and a build-up of unfinished tasks.Working Memory & Everyday Life – How reduced working memory capacity contributes to lost intentions, forgotten items, and difficulties holding and manipulating information in the moment.Impulse, Consequences & Social Impact – How acting on impulses without fully projecting consequences can subtly but significantly affect learning, relationships, and self-image over time. Rigidity, Routine & Habit Stacking – How turning cognitive rigidity into structured routines and habit stacks can reduce executive load and make important tasks more automatic.Contextual Functioning – How environment, expectations, stress, and internal states influence executive capacity, and why functioning can fluctuate rather than reflect a fixed level of ability.Reframing “Difficulty” – Moving away from moralising language like “lazy” or “disorganised” toward a neurodiversity-affirming understanding of executive functioning differences and how to work with them.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 11: Q&A Part 2Episode SummaryIn this episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast, Aaron Howearth continues the community Q&A, responding to several commonly asked questions about neurodivergent experiences and expanding on themes raised in previous episodes. The conversation covers topics including perimenopause and menopause in neurodivergent people, the relationship between neurodiversity and gender diversity, how diagnostic impairment levels can change across life circumstances, and the internal tensions often experienced by people with both autistic and ADHD traits. Aaron explains how hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can influence neurotransmitter systems linked to attention, sensory processing, and executive functioning. For some neurodivergent people, these biological changes can amplify existing cognitive and sensory differences, particularly for individuals who may have previously relied on masking or compensatory strategies. The episode also revisits the intersection between gender diversity and neurodivergence, exploring how autistic cognitive styles that question inconsistent social rules may contribute to different experiences of gender identity. Aaron further discusses how sensory processing differences, attention, and interoception can intensify experiences of gender dysphoria or body-related awareness. Finally, Aaron answers several frequently asked questions about AuDHD experiences, including the tension between ADHD novelty-seeking and autistic needs for routine, the dynamics of hyperfocus versus task initiation difficulties, fluctuations in social energy, and how masking can sometimes be adaptive depending on context. Throughout the discussion, he emphasises that many challenges attributed to neurodivergence arise from mismatches between individuals and their environments rather than inherent personal deficits. Key Themes & Takeaways• Hormonal Changes & Neurodivergence - Fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can amplify attention, sensory, and executive functioning differences.• Masking & Late Recognition - Biological or life changes can reduce compensatory capacity, revealing previously masked neurodivergent traits.• Gender & Neurodivergent Thinking - Autistic cognition often questions rigid social rules, including traditional gender binaries.• Sensory Processing & Dysphoria - Attention, sensory sensitivity, and interoception can intensify experiences of gender dysphoria.• Contextual Impairment - Autism support levels and ADHD severity reflect environmental demands as much as individual traits.• AuDHD Internal Conflict - ADHD novelty-seeking can coexist with autistic preferences for routine and predictability.• Hyperfocus & Task Initiation - Interest-based attention allows deep focus on engaging tasks but makes boring tasks difficult to start.• Planning vs Panic - Detailed planning tendencies can interact with ADHD overwhelm, leading to procrastination and last-minute urgency.• Social Energy Fluctuation - Socialising can feel energising or draining depending on stress, sensory load, and available energy.• Different, Not Defective - Many neurodivergent difficulties arise from environmental mismatch rather than inherent personal deficits.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail“When I'm surrounded by people like me, I don't feel disordered. I feel understood.”🎙️ Ep 10: Your Questions Answered – Diagnosis, Self-ID & “Different, Not Defective”Episode SummaryIn this Q&A episode of the AuDHD Psych Podcast, Aaron responds to questions and comments from the community about autism, ADHD, diagnosis, and what it really means to be “different, not defective.” Drawing on both clinical experience and lived AuDHD perspective, he unpacks why being autistic and having an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis are related but not identical concepts, and how context, support, and privilege shape whether traits become impairing or remain simply part of who we are.​Aaron explores why many clearly neurodivergent people never receive a formal diagnosis, highlighting the role of masking, family strategies, and multi-generational awareness in buffering against distress and “disorder” labels. He uses accessible metaphors (like having legs versus having broken legs) to explain the difference between having autistic characteristics and meeting criteria for a disorder, and reframes autism and ADHD as neurotypes that can generate both difficulty and strength depending on the environment.​The conversation moves into self-identification versus formal diagnosis, including the privilege, cost, and gatekeeping surrounding assessment and why Aaron prefers the language of being “self-identified” rather than “self-diagnosed.” He also addresses concerns that self-identification “mocks” those with formal diagnoses, noting that most self-identified autistic and ADHD people he meets have done deep research, grappled with imposter syndrome, and know their traits intimately long before tentatively claiming the label.​Aaron then discusses diagnostic complexity, including how conditions like borderline personality disorder, complex trauma, OCD, and AuDHD can overlap or be misread as one another, especially when clinicians are unfamiliar with neurodivergent presentations. He illustrates how autistic and ADHD traits can be mistaken for personality pathology or compulsions when we don’t yet have a neurodiversity lens, and notes that co-occurrence is also possible — it’s not always either/or.​Finally, Aaron touches on life stage factors such as perimenopause and shifting environmental demands (like starting university) that can dramatically change how ADHD and autistic traits show up, even when the underlying neurotype has been there since childhood. He closes by reflecting on the power of community, the emotional labour of advocacy, and his gratitude for listeners whose engagement and reviews help spread the core message of the podcast: we are different, not disordered.​Key Themes & TakeawaysAutism and ADHD are neurotypes (ways brains work), while “disorder” labels are applied when traits create significant difficulty in current environments.​Being autistic and having an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis are not the same thing; diagnosis is a professional label, not the origin of traits.​Many autistic and ADHD people remain undiagnosed due to masking, high intellect, strong supports, or family strategies that buffer visible impairment.​You can have autistic characteristics without meeting criteria for autism spectrum disorder, much like having legs without having broken legs.​Self-identification is often the result of extensive learning, reflection, and iSupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Episode 9: Understanding AuDHD: Late Diagnosis and Diagnostic Levels Episode SummaryIn this episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast, Aaron Howearth explores one of the most common and emotionally loaded experiences in the neurodivergent community: late diagnosis. Why are so many autistic and ADHD individuals missed in childhood? Why do diagnoses often come after years, or even decades, of anxiety, depression, or misdiagnosis?Drawing from both clinical psychology and lived experience, Aaron explains how traditional diagnostic frameworks were historically built around externalising presentations, often observed in young boys. This has left many neurodivergent individuals, particularly internalisers, high-masking people, and those with higher-than-average intellect, unseen by clinicians.Aaron also discusses diagnostic severity and support levels, challenging the idea that these labels describe fixed traits. Instead, impairment and severity are reframed as dynamic, context-dependent experiences shaped by environment, stress, confidence, and internal states.This episode offers clarity, validation, and a compassionate perspective on how neurodivergent traits are understood and misunderstood within clinical systems.Key Themes & TakeawaysLate Diagnosis Explained - How historical diagnostic criteria centred on visible, external behaviours contributed to generations of missed neurodivergent individuals.Externalising vs Internalising Presentations - Why many autistic and ADHD traits remain unnoticed when distress is internalised, behaviours are masked, or difficulties are cognitively compensated for.Misdiagnosis Pathways - Exploring overlaps with anxiety disorders, OCD, and borderline personality disorder, and how neurodivergent traits can be misinterpreted.The Role of Intellect & Compensation - How higher cognitive ability can obscure challenges, delaying recognition and diagnosis.Mood & Cognitive Functioning - Understanding how anxiety, depression, stress, and overwhelm can amplify or conceal ADHD and autistic characteristics.Rejection Sensitivity & Minority Stress - How social exclusion and misunderstanding influence emotional experiences across neurodivergent lives.Diagnostic Severity & Support Levels - Why ADHD severity and autism support levels are not static identities but reflections of contextual demand.Contextual Impairment - How environment, expectations, stress, and confidence influence functioning and perceived difficulty.Reframing “Impairment” - Moving away from fixed deficit thinking toward a dynamic, neurodiversity-affirming understanding of challenges.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcastSupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan MailThe 7th Circle Audio Version of Ep 9 - If Audio quality is frustrating for you, please ignore this, and listen to the re-corded version Ep 9: Understanding AuDHD: Late Diagnosis and Diagnostic Levels Due to an equipment fault, this recording has extremely poor sound. We apologise to those who have sensory sensitivity to sound. We have identified the lapel mic in question and kindly retired it from service with full honours.We are leaving this version published in case there is a information or a framing of some of the ideas that is helpful to anyone that might not have been included in the re-recording.Edit 21-Feb-2026: as an addition, we've used the intelligences that are artificial to try to improve the sound quality on this copy. We hope it's helpful and more listenable for you all.Thanks for your support!The AuDHD Psych Podcast.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail“If the rule doesn’t make sense, it has no value to me.”🎙️ Ep 8: Labels, their Utility & Lack Thereof Episode SummaryIn this episode of the AuDHD Psych Podcast, Aaron and Uma explore the intersection between gender diversity and neurodiversity, unpacking how autistic and neurodivergent ways of thinking can shape experiences of gender, identity, and self-understanding.Aaron reflects on his own gender experience and how autistic logic, detail orientation, and a rejection of arbitrary social rules influenced his relationship with gender — including why he does not experience gender dysphoria in the same way many gender-diverse people do. The conversation expands into the lived realities of gender dysphoria for neurodivergent people, particularly how sensory differences can amplify discomfort and distress.The episode also dives into what genuinely affirming gender care looks like, highlighting the importance of listening, accessibility, and avoiding harmful assumptions — such as the idea that gender diversity in autistic people is “just a special interest.” Finally, Aaron and Uma reflect on the power of community, advocacy, and shared support, especially for people navigating multiple marginalized identities.Key Themes & TakeawaysGender and biological sex are not the same, and both exist on spectrumsAutistic cognition often questions and rejects illogical social rules, including rigid gender binariesGender dysphoria can be intensified by sensory sensitivities in neurodivergent peopleGender-affirming care goes beyond pronouns to include sensory, environmental, and communication needsViewing autistic gender diversity as a “special interest” is invalidating and harmfulAdvocacy requires energy — and it’s okay to need others to advocate with or for youCommunity is a powerful protective factor, especially at the intersection of neurodivergence and gender diversityOnline spaces can be lifelines for connection, visibility, and belongingSupport the ShowIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, subscribe, or share the podcast. You can also support the show by engaging with us on social media or leaving a review — it really helps more people find these conversations.Keywords: Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, neurodiversity, gender diversity, gender dysphoria, sensory processing, gender-affirming care, advocacy, community, neuroqueering, LGBTQIA+, intersectionalitySupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail“The same traits that create difficulty can also be the ones that help us thrive.”🎙️ Episode 7: Understanding The Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm - Building Balanced BeliefsEpisode SummaryWelcome to Episode 8 of The AuDHD Psych Podcast — hosted by Aaron Howearth, a clinical psychologist and proudly AuDHD human.In this solo episode, Aaron explores the neurodiversity-affirming paradigm and what it truly means to view autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent experiences as differences rather than disorders. Drawing from clinical practice, lived experience, and real-world examples, Aaron unpacks how neurodivergent characteristics are not inherently strengths or weaknesses — they simply are, and their impact depends on context, environment, and support.Through personal reflections on relationships, conflict, professional problem-solving, and past military service, Aaron illustrates how the same traits can contribute to both challenge and capability. The episode also examines the limits of deficit-based and medical models, the role of diagnosis and privilege, and how stratifying support needs can unintentionally fracture neurodivergent communities.This episode offers a grounded, compassionate perspective on how clinical psychology and neurodiversity affirmation can sit side-by-side, helping individuals build stronger self-concepts, resilience, and community connection.Key Themes & TakeawaysWhat Is the Neurodiversity-Affirming Paradigm? Understanding neurodivergence as natural variation in human cognition — not inherently disordered or deficient.Characteristics Are Context-Dependent The same autistic and ADHD traits can be helpful in one environment and unhelpful in another.Strengths and Struggles Come From the Same Place Detail orientation, impulsivity, and divergent thinking can contribute to both conflict and creativity.Environment Shapes Support Needs It’s not traits alone that create impairment, but the mismatch between a person and their environment.The Limits of Deficit-Based Models How focusing only on what’s “wrong” can harm self-esteem, resilience, and community wellbeing.Diagnosis, Privilege, and Validity Why access to diagnosis requires resources — and why lack of diagnosis does not invalidate neurodivergent identity.Autism Levels and Gatekeeping Exploring how support stratification can unintentionally create hierarchies within the autistic community.Different, Not Less A reminder that neurodivergent people are not broken — just wired differently.Support the ShowIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, subscribe, and share The AuDHD Psych Podcast across your platforms. Your support helps broaden neurodiversity-affirming conversations and reach those who need them.Have questions, reflections, or topic suggestions? We’d love to hear from you — your voices help shape future episodes.Keywords: neurodiversity affirming, AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent traits, different not less, autism support needs, ADHD lived experience, deficit vs strengths model, clinical psychology podcast, neurodivergent identity, Howearth PsychologySupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail“The new year doesn’t need to fix you — you were already doing your best.”In this reflective New Year’s themed episode of AuDHD Psych, Aaron and Uma explore the quiet space between years — a time often filled with pressure to reset, improve, and reinvent. Through a neurodivergent lens, they unpack why traditional New Year’s resolutions can feel overwhelming or harmful for autistic and ADHD people, and why slow, values-aligned change is often more sustainable. The conversation reframes growth as internal, incremental, and deeply personal, highlighting quiet wins, self-compassion, and progress that doesn’t need to be visible or performative. Rather than chasing arbitrary milestones, this episode invites listeners to honour what worked, question unhelpful beliefs, and move into the new year with curiosity instead of self-criticism.TakeawaysThe New Year can amplify unrealistic expectations, self-judgment, and pressure to change overnightTraditional resolutions often clash with neurodivergent brains that value sustainability, flexibility, and meaningSmall, quiet changes can have a bigger impact than dramatic overhaulsReflecting on what worked is just as important as identifying what didn’tThemes and values can be more supportive than rigid goals or timelinesProgress is not linear, and planning for disruption reduces shame and burnoutSelf-compassion and relationship with self underpin all other goals Growth can be internal, subtle, and still deeply validKeywords AuDHD, neurodivergence, New Year mental health, autistic and ADHD goals, self-compassion, internal growth, quiet progress, neurodivergent goal setting, burnout prevention, reflective practice, New Year pressure, sustainable changeSupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail“The absence of a reminder doesn’t mean the love isn’t there.” In this festive episode of AuDHD Psych, Aaron and Uma explore how the holiday season can uniquely impact neurodivergent folk. While celebrations are often framed as joyful and meaningful, they can also bring sensory overload, disrupted routines, social pressure, emotional fatigue, and heightened expectations. Drawing on lived experience and clinical insight, the conversation unpacks masking, burnout, gift-giving stress, overthinking, and the delicate balance between connection and self-preservation. This episode offers permission to slow down, take breaks, set boundaries, and approach the holidays in a way that honours individual needs — reminding listeners that there is no single “right” way to celebrate.TakeawaysDisrupted routines and heightened sensory input during holidays can significantly increase stress for autistic and ADHD individualsOvercommitting socially often leads to burnout, even when connection is genuinely wantedTaking breaks — physical, emotional, or relational — is protective, not rudeMasking can serve a purpose, but conscious, consent-based masking and selective unmasking reduce long-term stressGift-giving and emotional reciprocity can be complicated by differences in communication, expectations, and interpretationThe absence of contact or follow-up is often a reflection of overwhelm, not a lack of careBoundaries, energy awareness, and self-compassion matter more than meeting social idealsKeywords AuDHD, neurodivergence, holidays and mental health, autistic burnout, ADHD emotional regulation, masking and unmasking, sensory overload, social fatigue, boundaries, perfectionism, Christmas stress, neurodivergent wellbeingSupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙 Episode 4: Understanding AuDHD: Traits, Truths, & Lived Experience “When I’m told I’m lazy or unmotivated, I start to believe it — and that belief becomes part of who I think I am.”In this episode of AuDHD Psych, Aaron and Uma explore what AuDHD can look like beyond stereotypes and diagnostic labels. Aaron shares his lived experience as an AuDHD clinical psychologist, unpacking why ADHD and autism were historically seen as mutually exclusive, how this has shaped diagnostic practices, and why many people have had parts of their neurodivergence misunderstood, minimised, or overlooked. The conversation examines co-occurrence, diagnostic bias, categorical versus dimensional thinking, and the importance of self-understanding — whether through formal diagnosis or self-identification — as a foundation for meaningful, affirming support.Takeaways:- ADHD and autism frequently co-occur, even though they were historically excluded from being diagnosed together- AuDHD presentations can mask or complicate how characteristics are recognised and supported- Diagnostic systems often miss nuance, particularly when relying on rigid, categorical frameworks- Understanding both strengths and difficulties leads to more effective and affirming support- Identity, diagnosis, and self-identification should be guided by individual goals and needsKeywords: AuDHD, ADHD and autism, neurodivergence, co-occurring diagnoses, self-identification, diagnostic bias, lived experience, neurodiversity-affirming practice, mental health stigma, clinical psychology, ADHD awareness, Lived ExperienceSupport the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙Episode 3: Understanding ADHD: Traits, Truths & Lived Experience“You’re not inherently broken. Your characteristics aren’t disordered — they just don’t always match what the environment demands.”Summary:In this episode, Aaron  takes a deep dive into ADHD through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. He explores what ADHD actually looks like in daily life, why inattentive and internalizing ADHD is so often misunderstood, and how early labels like “lazy” or “unmotivated” shape lifelong beliefs. Aaron unpacks myths, stereotypes, gendered expectations, cultural influences, and the difference between ADHD traits and ADHD disorder. Blending clinical insight with personal stories, he shows how impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity can create both challenges and unique strengths — depending entirely on the environment that surrounds them.Takeaways:- ADHD is defined clinically by impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, but lived experience goes far beyond these criteria.- Internalizing ADHD (common in women and quieter kids) often shows up as daydreaming, anxiety, stress, and masking — not disruptive behaviour.- Early messages like “lazy” or “not trying hard enough” become internalized beliefs that shape self-worth. - ADHD traits are not inherently disordered — difficulty appears when the environment demands something mismatched to the person’s natural wiring.- Culture and gender expectations influence how ADHD is expressed and who gets diagnosed.- Social stereotypes and TikTok trends capture tiny fragments of ADHD but often romanticize or oversimplify it.- Impulsivity and inattention can lead to challenges (like overspending) and strengths (like creativity, hyperfocus, career pivots).- Neurodiversity-affirming practice reframes ADHD as a difference, not a defect.- The right environment can turn traits that look “disordered” in one context into superpowers in another.- You are not broken — you simply have a brain that works differently from the societal default.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan Mail🎙 Episode 2: Understanding Autism: Traits, Truths, and Lived Experience "When viewed through the lens of difference, rather than disorder, we often find that it's expectations that warrant changing, not humans."Summary:In this episode of the AuDHD Psych podcast, Aaron Howearth, a clinical psychologist, discusses the diagnosis of autism, its characteristics, and some of the lived experiences of some on the spectrum. The conversation delves into sensory overload, the impact of masking and unmasking, and the phenomenon of autistic burnout. Aaron shares personal insights on communication challenges and reframes neurodivergent strengths, emphasizing that autism is a unique way of being rather than a deficit.Takeaways:- Autism is diagnosed based on social communication differences and restricted patterns of behavior.- Neurodivergent individuals may communicate in a "different dialect" leading to social disconnects.- Sensory overload can be overwhelming, especially in busy environments.- Masking is a common behavior among autistic individuals to fit in socially.- Unmasking can be a liberating experience but is not easy for everyone.- Autistic burnout can manifest as chronic fatigue and withdrawal from social situations.- Scripting can help autistic individuals navigate social interactions more comfortably.- Neurodivergent strengths, such as detail orientation, can be valuable in various contexts.- Distractibility can lead to creativity and beauty in art and life.- Autism should be viewed as a way of being, not a deficit.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

Send us Fan MailWhen viewed through the lens of difference, rather than disorder, we often find that it's expectations that warrant changing, not humans.🎙️ Episode 1: Understanding AuDHD - Lived Experience, Clinical Insight, Different-not-Defective.Episode SummaryWelcome to the first episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast — hosted by Aaron Howearth, a clinical psychologist, queer, non-binary, and proudly neurodivergent (AuDHD) individual (the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD).In this powerful introductory episode, Aaron explores what it means to live, work, and thrive as an AuDHD person — blending clinical psychology, lived experience, and the neurodiversity-affirming paradigm. Aaron dives into why understanding AuDHD is vital for both clinicians and the neurodivergent community.Aaron shares their personal and professional journey — from 23 years in the Royal Navy to founding Howearth Psychology, a therapeutic space serving neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities. With honesty and humour, Aaron reflects on how their unique perspective helps bridge the gap between traditional clinical psychology and the affirming lens that celebrates difference rather than pathologising it.Key Themes & TakeawaysWhat is AuDHD? — Understanding how autism and ADHD can coexist, despite past diagnostic misconceptions.The “Unhelpful Expressions” Concept — Why neurodivergent traits aren’t inherently disordered, but can express in ways that either help or hinder our goals.Diagnosis Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens — How psychological assessment can empower rather than label.Living Authentically — Aaron’s journey through gender identity, neurodivergence, and finding meaning in community service.Changing Clinical Perspectives — Encouraging fellow psychologists to view neurodivergence through strength-based, person-centred practice.Engaging With The Podcast — Listeners are invited to interact, question, and shape future discussions — from diagnostic frameworks to lived experiences of being AuDHD.Support the showKeywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast