Divergent Dialogues

Join Caitlin and Teena in this insightful podcast episode as they dive deep into the complexities of meltdowns. They share personal stories, emphasising the significance of recognising triggers, communication, and the power of seeking support. Caitlin sheds light on how meltdowns are physiological responses to sensory and emotional overload. Together, they explore the challenges of travel, the imp...

Join Caitlin and Teena as they dive deep into the intriguing world of Alexithymia—exploring why identifying and expressing emotions can be particularly challenging for Autistic folks and ADHDers. They unravel the connection between Alexithymia and Interoception, shedding light on how our bodies signal emotions and its impact on emotional regulation. Plus, they take a fascinating look at the evolut...

In this episode, Caitlin is joined by special guest Marisa and they dive into the intersections of neurodivergence, gender identity, and sexuality, shedding light on the unique perspectives and challenges faced by both their clients and themselves. They discuss the pathologisation of differences, the importance of authenticity, and the complexities of societal acceptance for neurodiverse individua...

Caitlin and Teena had an insightful discussion on Pervasive Demand for Autonomy (PDA) and its impact on Autistic individuals' daily lives. Caitlin shared her personal experiences, highlighting challenges like sensory sensitivities and navigating societal norms. They addressed misdiagnosis and misunderstanding of PDA, stressing the need for neurodivergent affirming research. PDA involves a stro...

Caitlin and Teena were joined by special guest Rebecca Vitsmun in this engaging episode, where they dived deep into discussions about hyperphantasia, neurodivergent parenting, and the link between Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and Autism. The trio reflects on the experience of hyperphantasia, discussing its role in relaxation and reframing this experience for better mental health. They also delve...

In this illuminating episode, Caitlin and Teena delve into the often misunderstood experiences of individuals requiring workplace accommodations. They share personal anecdotes and discuss the importance of awareness and flexibility within professional environments. From the biases faced by those with autism and ADHD to the significance of mental health advocacy, they explore how asking for adjustm...

In this insightful episode, Caitlin and Teena delve into the complex world of workplace accommodations for Autistic folks and ADHDers. They engage in a heartfelt conversation about the challenges of disclosing neurodivergence at work and the importance of creating supportive environments. They discuss personal experiences with mental health professionals and the difficulties in identifying necessa...

In this episode, Teena and Caitlin discuss giftedness with Jennifer Harvey Sallin founding director of InterGifted.  We explore the inspiration behind a unique model of giftedness, highlighting its diverse manifestations and the significance of recognising giftedness as a form of neurodivergence. This conversation sheds light on the importance of self-understanding and mental health for individual...

Tara shares their journey into Social Work, specialising in Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ affirming practice. Both Caitlin and Tara, as Social Workers, discuss their experiences and perspectives in their field, emphasising the importance of critical reflective practice for self-awareness and understanding their own neurodivergence. They cover topics such as the social model of disability, harm reduc...

In this enlightening episode, Caitlin and Teena explore effective strategies and accommodations for Autistic folks and ADHDers in educational settings. They dive into the importance of customising learning approaches to suit the unique needs of each person, emphasising the role of understanding executive functioning and sensory profiles. The duo discusses the power of artificial intelligence in ta...

In this engaging episode, Caitlin and Teena explore the unique challenges and experiences of Autistic folks and ADHDers in learning environments. They delve into the complexities of social relationships in school, the transition to high school, and the impact of neurodivergence on learning. From discussing struggles like sensory overwhelm, to sharing personal stories about school parades and the a...

In this episode, we dive deep into the intertwined worlds of OCD and Autism. Caitlin and Teena are joined by Simon Rinne who is a Social Worker, Mens Mental Health Advocate and Lived Experience Therapist at Mindful Men. Simon shares his raw and personal journey with OCD. From exploring the co-occurrence of repetitive behaviours in autism and OCD, to understanding the nuances of obsessive behaviour...

Teena and Caitlin shared personal stories and professional insights on their experiences of organisation and self-care. From the pressures of matching conventional expectations to the quest for effective coping mechanisms, they explore how Autistic folks and ADHDers navigate life differently. Discover the importance of tailored organisational strategies and personalising your self-care routine to...

Caitlin and Teena dive deep into the power of reframing expectations for Autistic folks and ADHDers. They share their personal experiences and insights on the journey towards embracing their differences and leveraging them for success. They discuss the societal pressures of conforming to traditional notions of success and productivity and advocate for a more flexible approach that celebrates the e...

Caitlin and Teena were joined by Joey Remenyi vestibular audiologist, neuroplasticity therapist, author (Rock Steady: Healing Vertigo or Tinnitus with Neuroplasticity) and the Founder of Seeking Balance International. Joey shared her personal experience of living with vertigo and tinnitus, emphasising the importance of understanding and responding to our bodies' sensory signals. She highlighte...

Caitlin and Teena discussed sensory accommodations and self-soothing strategies for Autistic folks and ADHDers. They emphasised the importance of utilising a combination of accommodations and strategies. They also highlighted the value of mindfulness in helping individuals better understand their own reactions and emotions, and the importance of understanding one's unique sensory profile. For...

In this episode, Caitlin and Teena discussed sensory overwhelm and underwhelm, shedding light on sensory sensitivities. They underscored that these variations are not a choice, can be disabling, and necessitate accommodations beyond noise-cancelling headphones! Teena and Caitlin stressed the importance of sensory stimulation for Autistic folks and ADHDers. They explored the understanding of sensor...

Caitlin and Teena discussed emotions experienced by Autistic folks and ADHDers. They explored the difficulties in identifying and labelling emotions among Autistic folks, the societal perception of the emotion of anger, the different expressions of meltdowns in men and women, the importance of sharing lived experiences and the role of mindfulness in managing emotions. For more information about ou...

Caitlin and Teena discussed the challenges of understanding and expressing emotions, particularly in the context of Autism and ADHD. They emphasised the importance of normalising emotions, the need for more research on the emotional experiences of Autistic folks and ADHDers, and the societal expectations that limit emotional expression. They also shared their personal experiences and struggles wit...

In this episode Caitlin and Teena discussed the executive functioning challenges faced by Autistic folks and ADHDers, including difficulties in flexibility, stress tolerance, emotional regulation, sustained attention, working memory, and task initiation. They also shared their personal and professional experiences and strategies for managing these challenges, emphasising the importance of understa...

Caitlin and Teena dive into the fascinating topic of executive functioning of Autistic folks and ADHDers. They shed light on the executive functioning challenges faced, emphasising the importance of acknowledging and addressing these struggles. They explore differences in brain structure and connectivity in Autistic folks and ADHDers. They discuss stress and its effect on executive functioning cha...

Caitlin and Teena shared their experiences and challenges with dating and social interactions as Autistic folks. They discussed the difficulties in navigating societal norms and expectations in relationships. They acknowledged that these challenges add complexity to the dating process for Autistic folks. They emphasised the importance of direct communication, prioritising personal needs in relatio...

Caitlin and Teena discussed the challenges faced by ADHDers in romantic relationships, including impulsivity, rejection sensitivity and attention regulation. They emphasised the importance of understanding and respecting these challenges, along with the need for establishing healthy boundaries. The conversation further explored the importance of understanding neurotypical expectations in relations...

Teena and Caitlin delved into the significance of self-esteem and the unique challenges faced by Autistic folks and ADHDers. They also explored the detrimental impact of external influences and societal perceptions on Autistic folks and ADHDers, emphasising the need for understanding, acceptance, and focusing on individual strengths. The conversation delves into the effects of sensory overload, di...

Teena and Caitlin discussed self-esteem in the first episode of their show, "Divergent Dialogues". They emphasised its importance, particularly for Autistic folks and ADHDers. Caitlin highlighted self-esteem's role in coping, resilience, and trying new things. They also explored the neurological and psychological aspects of self-esteem, including the amygdala, hormones, and neurotran...