The Neurodivergent Woman

Latest Episodes:

Early Identification with Josephine Barbaro Apr 28, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast Monique interviews the incredible Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro. Josie is a late identified Autistic ADHDer. She is a Principal Research Fellow and Psychologist at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne. She is the Research Director of Identification and Diagnosis of Autism, and Clinical Director of the Victorian Early Assessment Clinic, providing neuro-affirming, transdisciplinary assessments for neurodivergence in children under 3 years. Josie’s research interests are in the early identification and diagnosis of Autism, family health and well-being following a diagnosis, and Neurodiversity Affirming research and practice.

In this episode Monique and Josie cover:

Josie’s path to understanding her own neurodivergence.
The heritability of neurodivergence and the importance of taking a whole-family approach to supporting neurodivergent kids.
Josie’s work on early identification of Autism and the development of the SACS early identification screening tool and the ASDectect app.
Josie’s research and work into closing the gender gap in early diagnosis of Autism.
Why early identification is so important and addressing concerns parents can have around ‘labelling’.
How to share a diagnosis of Autism with your child.
Debunking the myths around overdiagnosis of Autism.

Things we mentioned:

The Victorian Early Assessment Clinic.
The SACS early identification screening tool training
The ASDectect app
Conversation article co-written by Josie and Marie Camin on talking to your child about their diagnosis.
Conversation article co-written by Josie and Dr Nancy Sadka debunking the myth around overdiagnosis of Autism.
Books to use as a conversation starter to introduce neurodivergence to a child include The Brain Forest and The Rainbow Brain, both by Sandyha Menon, and Round World Square Me by Chelsea Luker.

You can contact Josie via email at veac@latrobe.edu.au or find her on her socials here.

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Sensory Regulation with Joanne Seymon Apr 14, 2024

Show notes

A note to our listeners: In this episode we chat about self-harm. Some of our listeners may prefer to skip this one.

Happy Monday! In today’s episode Monique interviews Joanne Seymon; AuDHDer Occupational Therapist, and co-founder of Kaiko Fidgets. Jo is passionate about developing appropriate sensory tools for teens and adults, with a focus on harm minimisation and emotional regulation. She uses both her lived experience and her background in occupational therapy to match sensory needs to the right sensory support. In this episode Jo shares some personal details about her son Kai’s mental health journey, and Kai has given his consent for these details to be shared.

In this episode Monique and Jo cover:

How Kaiko Fidgets came to be and Jo’s path to diagnosis and understanding her own neurodivergence.
What actually is ‘Occupational Therapy’ (OT) and how can OTs work with neurodivergent folk?
Different sensory needs and ideas around supporting sensory regulation.
When pain is used as a regulator – Jo’s approach to this and some options for harm minimisation.
Understanding and managing the cumulative effect of sensory load.

Find Jo on her website (www.kaikofidgets.com), through her socials (@kaikofidgets), or reach out to her via email (jo@kaikofigets.com)

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Stimming with Marie Camin Apr 07, 2024

Show notes

On this week’s episode Monique interviews Marie Camin about stimming. Marie is a multiply neurodivergent clinical psychologist, researcher, and a neurodiversity advocate. Marie is currently completing her PhD on Autistic stimming at La Trobe University and she is a Founding Committee Member of the OTARC Autistic Advisory Group; she believes strongly in contributing to a more accurate and affirming understanding of Autistic experiences through co-production with the community. She loves animals, pop culture, and anything creative.

This episode is jam packed with goodies! Monique and Marie cover:

Community as a key part of the neurodivergent identity.
Marie’s experience as a neurodivergent clinical psychologist and her path to discovering her own neurodivergence.
A side quest on special interests.
Everything stimming – what is it, how is it understood (both from a community perspective and based on the DSM), and many examples of what stimming can look like.
The evolution of thinking in the psychological field around the purpose of stimming and responses to stimming.
Harm minimisation approaches for stimming that is harmful to self or others (please be aware that self-harm is mentioned here, and so some listeners may decide to skip this).
Marie’s advice for other neurodivergent folks trying to function in a neuro-normative way.

Want to learn more about Marie or get in touch with her? You can find her through her website here, or on Instagram @mariecamin.

Check out her digital downloads and ND Pride stickers here!

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Pelvic and Sexual Pain with Shan Morrison Mar 31, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast we interview ADHDer and physiotherapist Shan Morrison. Shan is a Specialist Women’s, Men’s & Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. She has practiced exclusively in pelvic health for 30 years, and is the director of Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy: a private practice based in Melbourne that exists to restore pelvic health and empower every person to live their best life. Shan’s clinical passion is being part of a like-minded multi-disciplinary team that takes a whole person approach to supporting those experiencing persistent pelvic and sexual pain.

In this episode we cover:

Shan’s experience of neurodivergence, particularly as an ND physiotherapist, and her path to discovering her own neurodivergence.
The role of a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist in general, and we learn all about Shan’s specialty of pelvic pain, including the causes of persistent pelvic pain, some common pelvic pain conditions, and factors that contribute to persistent pelvic pain.
Shan’s approach to treating persistent pelvic pain wholistically – what does this involve and how does she do this in her practice.
The overlap of neurodivergence and persistent pain conditions.
Why is it so important to screen for multiple aspects of an individual’s mental and physical health as a health professional, regardless of your specific speciality.
What to do if you are experiencing persistent pelvic pain.

You can connect with Shan via her practice website – www.wmhp.com.au – or by email: shan@wmhp.com.au

Shan recommends the following resources:

This simple pain education website (general not pelvic pain).
The book ‘Healing Pelvic Pain’ by Dr Peta Wright and Dr Wright’s website which has a number of resources.

Things we mentioned:

Michelle’s on-demand webinar that Shan mentioned, for allied health professionals on Identifying Neurodivergence, can be accessed directly here or through our website.
You can access the study Shan mentioned on psychoeducational needs around persistent pelvic pain in women here.
The qualitative study on heterosexual sexual satisfaction that Michelle mentioned is in ‘Girls & Sex’ by Peggy Orenstein

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Neurodivergent Parents Parenting Neurodivergent Kids with Dr Celia Falchi Mar 24, 2024

Show notes

Today’s guest is ADHDer psychologist Dr. Celia Falchi. Celia works in private practice in Wellington, New Zealand. She works with predominantly neurodivergent clients across the lifespan, specialising in trauma work, and she engages in advocacy work within the profession, including being on the Education Committee for AADPA. Celia is also mum to two AuDHDer neurodivergent kids, who are 10 and 13 years old. In this episode Celia shares some personal details about her kids, and Celia’s kids have given their consent for these details to be shared.

In this episode we cover:

Celia’s personal journey with discovering her own neurodivergence in adulthood, and how her ADHD has affected different areas of her personal and professional life.
Juggling the emotions and needs of multiple different family members (including her own!).
The importance of “modelling humanity” as a parent, and showing that it’s OK to make mistakes.
The central importance of relationship and joyful connection when parenting, and approaching behavioural challenges with curiosity.
Supporting ND kids’ mental health as a parent, and the importance of belonging.
Advocating for and supporting your kids in the school system.

The book that Celia mentions is ‘Relationship Based Treatment of Children and their Parents; an integrative guide to neurobiology, attachment, regulation, and discipline’ by Elizabeth Sylvester and Kat Scherer.

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'We don't know what we don't know' with Jodie Wilson Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

A note to our listeners – this episode briefly mentions suicide, so some of our listeners may decide to skip this one.

This week on the podcast Monique interviews Jodie Wilson, who is an AuDHDer veterinarian, researcher, author, and mum (not necessarily in that order!). Jodie advocates for diversity inclusion within the veterinary industry through her work with the Veterinary Kaleidoscope and she also works as a researcher at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University. Jodie is currently in the middle of her second Masters degree, which looks at the intersection of autism and wellbeing, and she is about to launch her first non-fiction book: A Guide for Autistic Professionals Considering Disclosing their Diagnoses at Work.

In this episode Monique and Jodie cover:

Jodie’s experience of late diagnosis and what identification of her neurodivergence meant for her in both her personal and professional life.
How Jodie dealt with autistic burnout, managed a sudden loss in her physical mobility, and how she has tailored her working life to accommodate her needs.
Key take homes from Jodie’s research into the experience of autistic folk interacting with mental health systems.
The strengths that neurodivergent vets bring to the industry and the challenges that neurodivergent folk may face in this industry.
Jodie’s advocacy work with the Veterinary Kaleidoscope.
Jodie’s top tips for other adult diagnosed neurodivergent folk

For those wondering, Jodie’s research on the experience of autistic adults interacting with mental health care (and the associated resource to come out of this) is not currently publicly available, but we will share it when it is!

You can find the study that Monique mentioned on autistic folks with chronic pain interacting with the healthcare system here.

You can find Jodie here: www.disrupt.vet and sign up to get an alert when her book is out here: www.disrupt.vet/books

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The Menopause Transition Mar 10, 2024

Show notes

Menopause! It happens to roughly half of the human race, but it continues to be shrouded in mystery for many people. In today’s episode we discuss this very important transition. We cover:

Why are we doing an episode on menopause?
The social aspect of the menopause transition.
An overview of our sex hormones and how these change during the menopause transition.
Early and premature menopause.
Common signs and symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause.
The effect of peri-menopause on our mood, cognition, and physical functioning.
The research on peri-menopause and menopause in neurodivergent folk.
Strategies for managing the menopause transition.

Things we mentioned:

ADDitude Survey on ADHD and menopause.
When My Autism Broke, Autism research ‘is all about the blokes and the kids’, and Period of Importance – studies on autism and menopause.
Australasian Menopause Society

Resources on Menopause:

Menopausing: The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring Hardcover by Davina McCall & Dr Naomi Potter. Dr Naomi Potter is a UK GP and British Menopause Society accredited specialist doctor.
Hormone Repair Manual: Every woman's guide to healthy hormones after 40 by Lara Briden
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
The Feel Good Guide to Menopause by Dr Nicola Gates
https://reframingautism.org.au/menopausal-and-melting-down-an-autistic-tale-of-sensory-survival/
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/menopause
https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub/

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Decolonising Neurodivergence with Claire Johnston Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

On our final episode for season 4 we welcome Claire Johnston to the podcast. Claire is a citizen of the Red River Métis Nation, who lives on the land of their ancestors in Treaty 1 Territory, also known as Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They are a Métis beadwork artist and are currently mentoring under Métis artist and Knowledge Keeper Jennine Krauchi.

Claire is a proud autistic person who finds immense joy in working with their hands. They believe their ability to work intricately and precisely with their hands is a gift from their ancestors, meant to be shared with the world. Claire is a founding member of a grassroots Métis collective called Red River Echoes, which works towards reclaiming sovereignty, land, culture, and kinship across the Métis Homeland.

Claire is also a member of the Two-Spirit Michif local and is a team member of the Re*Storying Autism project out of Brandon University, which works toward a liberated future for neurodivergent people through art, and challenges western, capitalist, biomedical, and colonial understandings of people who think differently.

This episode was such a joy to record. We chat about the intersection of indigenous and neurodivergent identity, the impact of colonisation on identity formation for neurodivergent indigenous peoples, and how we can join the work of decolonising indigenous neurodivergent identity. We chat about claiming your identity through connection to culture and ancestral knowledge, and the vital importance of recognizing your gifts.

Claire shares their experience as both a research participant and a collaborator with the Re*Storying Autism project and speaks to the importance of having their experiences and the experiences of other indigenous autistic folk be ‘witnessed’. Claire shares their experience of neurodivergence, including the social justice drive, their work as a beadwork artist, and the strengths and challenges of their neurotype.

Things we mentioned:

Check out Claire’s short video for the Re*Storying Autism project here.
Find out more about the Re*Storying Autism project here (information about the the Critical Autism Summit 2024 will be oosted here, and the neurodiversity module for teachers will also be published here).
Re*Storying Autism Instragram
Get in contact with Claire by email clairenancyjohnston5@gmail.com or Instagram!

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Perfectionism with Jennifer Kemp Jun 04, 2023

Show notes

This week we chat with Jennifer Kemp about perfectionism. Jennifer is a Clinical Psychologist based in Adelaide, Australia. She is the author of ‘The ACT Workbook for Perfectionism: Build Your Best (Imperfect) Life Using Powerful Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Self-Compassion Skills’ as well as several e-books, which are linked below. Monique and Jennifer are currently co-writing a book on Neurodivergence and Self-Compassion, which is due to be released in 2024.

In her private practice Jennifer uses acceptance and commitment therapy and compassion-focused approaches with adults experiencing perfectionism, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and chronic illness, as well as many late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults. Jennifer balances this quite imperfectly with writing, presenting, and providing consultations to professionals seeking to deepen their therapeutic practice.

On this episode Jennifer shares her personal experience of neurodivergence and perfectionism. She explains what is perfectionism, how perfectionism interacts with neurodivergence, and what can cause perfectionism. Jennifer shares with us what can perfectionism look like, for kids, teens, and adults. Throughout the episode we chat about strategies to work with perfectionism, and Jennifer also shares her top tips for managing perfectionism, including the ‘passengers on the bus’ metaphor.

You can find more of Jennifer’s work here:

Her website: https://jenniferkemp.com.au/
The ACT Workbook for Perfectionism
Free E-books: https://jenniferkemp.com.au/publications/ - including ‘Autistic Burnout: A Brief Guide to Recovery and Prevention’, ‘More than Procrastination: Strategies for Navigating Autistic Inertia and ADHD Paralysis’, and ‘The Perfectionistic Helper: Striving to Help and Never Fail’.
The Passengers on the Bus Metaphor Worksheet

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Acquired Brain Injury May 28, 2023

Show notes

Happy Monday! This week we chat about Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). We cover what is an acquired brain injury and what can cause an ABI, how does ABI fit within the neurodivergence umbrella, and the prevalence of ABI in Australia. We explore what are some of the cognitive manifestations of ABI and what can impact how an ABI manifests, identity shifts that can occur with an ‘acquired’ neurodivergence and the role of grief and compassion, and factors to consider in recovery.

Access the nun study we mentioned here.

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