The Neurodivergent Experience

Extreme Demand Avoidance is the new, rebranded term for what used to be Pathological Demand Avoidance. It is not recognised by the NHS yet so many Neurodivergent people struggling with navigating its demands. After this episode its pretty clear we do too! In this super sized episode, along with guest Ashley Bentley, we delve into the complexities of extreme demand avoidance in neurodivergent adult...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, we discuss the impact of current events on our well-being as life seems to be getting in our way at the moment! We answer one of your questions and chat about the challenges of navigating outdated perceptions of autism. We talk the significance of understanding autism as a spectrum of experiences rather than a singular definition, and trying to enc...

In this episode we discuss the educational system in the UK from the perspective of an autistic teacher. Mandy Cook is an influential figure in Autism on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok as The Autistic Teacher with over 100,000 followers on Facebook, sharing information and insights to a wider audience. Mandy is a teacher, speaker, trainer and consultant in autism with over 20 years e...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, we delve into various official neurodivergent diagnostic screening tests! So many people begin their autism diagnostic journey by taking a test similar to the AQ-10 test. These questionnaires play a key role for parents, care givers and the large percentage of the population who are yet to understand their neurodivergent brains, to get a diagnosis,...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss the complexities of anger. Joined by hypnotherapist Ashley Bentley, we explore the importance of therapy, delve into personal experiences with coping mechanisms, the impact of childhood trauma on adult life, the challenges of adulting, and the influence of social media on self-image, self-compassion, and mindful...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, we engage in a deep conversation with Anthony Harding, a nurse associate in the NHS, about the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals within the healthcare system. We discuss Anthony's personal journey, the lack of understanding and training regarding neurodivergence among medical professionals, and the importance of accommodations for neur...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, we delve into the complexities of materialism, exploring its good, bad, and ugly sides. We discuss our personal experiences with collecting, the dopamine rush associated with purchases, the emotional and psychological aspects of materialism and the societal pressures that influence consumer behaviour. Takeaways Collecting can be a way to commemorat...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, we reflect on our first live show at the Autistic Minds Live event in Cardiff. We talk meeting our fans, the challenges of social interactions, the concept of energy hangovers, the challenges of being in a complex environment and the emotional weight of being advocates for the neurodivergent community. Takeaways Social interactions can lead to ener...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience we discuss our Autism and ADHD based on the diagnostic criteria. We discuss our experiences with routine, craving novelty, and the dopamine fixation we both share. We touch on the challenges of seeming blunt, rude, or not interested in others without meaning to, the ability to listen, carry out instructions, and stay focused and the importance of be...

This episode dedicated to Steve Silberman, the legendary writer, advocate for the neurodivergent community and friend of the show who recently passed away, aged 66. In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, we discuss living with sensory issues. We share our personal experiences of hypersensitivity to certain sounds and the challenges of misophonia, the difficulty of asking for accommodati...

In this episode, we discuss our experiences living with alexithymia and dyspraxia. We talk about the challenges of expressing emotions due to alexithymia and how it affects our ability to communicate how we are feeling and what accommodations we need to feel comfortable. Plus we discuss our Dyspraxia and how it can affect coordination and communication, can lead to challenges in everyday tasks and...

In this episode, we are in the same room for the very first time on this podcast, so we're bringing you a preview of our live show in Cardiff! Many Neurodivergent people struggle with impulse control and addiction, something we have both struggled with throughout our journeys. We share our personal experiences with addiction to phones and social media, food, video games, plus we talk the need for...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience podcast, Jordan flies solo as he is joined by Nadine Honeybone and Raj Chand to discuss the importance of autism-led charities and their upcoming live event, Autistic Minds Cardiff. Nadine shares her motivation for creating the charity, her personal experiences as a parent of a nonverbal autistic child and the challenges she faced in raising her son...

In this episode, we are joined by Matt Jolly, the Operations Director at RTN Diagnostics, to discuss the topic of getting diagnosed and whether going private is worth it. We share our personal experiences with the diagnostic process and highlight the challenges we faced within the NHS system in the UK and why we had to go private. Matt shares his personal journey of getting his family diagnosed, t...

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of changing schools for neurodivergent individuals. . We start by reading an email from a listener who is a parent who is struggling to find a school that understands and supports their neurodivergent child. We share our personal experiences of moving schools and the difficulties we faced, including bullying, the need to mask their true selves and the fru...

In this episode, we discuss living with pathological demand avoidance (PDA), a condition that is not officially recognized by most authorities. We share personal experiences and examples of how demand avoidance affects our daily lives, including struggles with completing tasks, seeking medical help, and pursuing hobbies. We reflect on the impact of demand avoidance on mental health and relationshi...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience Podcast, we talk about how we switch their brains off when it all gets a bit too much! We talk about the importance of music in our lives and our love for video games, TV shows, movies, and how they use them as a form of escapism and to switch off their brains. We talk using music and soundproof headphones to balance our moods, stimulate our minds,...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan is back from Canada and Simon has just turned 30! We talk our travels, big birthdays and the challenges of obtaining ADHD medication. We share our personal experiences with the medication methylphenidate and how it has helped manage the more disabling sides of our Neurodivergence, the lack of understanding and support from healthcare profess...

"One of the key disability sides of my hyper focus is that I can hyper focus on things that I don't like and can be quite distressing to think about." In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss neurodivergent abilities versus disabilities. We share personal experiences and insights into how hyper-focus and tree learning, anxiety, and eidetic memory are b...

'One of the worst things that happens to neurodivergent people is their ability to trust themselves and love themselves. Bullying can shape a person's identity and have a lasting impact' In this episode, Jordan and Simon talk to Summer Farrelly, Animal Behaviourist and Autism Advocate on the topic of bullying. We share personal experiences of being bullied, including by teachers, and highlight the...

"We don't need a neurotypical saviour and a holistic saviour, whatever. We don't need you. We didn't ask you to save us. We need diversity and neurodiversity does serve this purpose." In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott interview Lyric Rivera, a neurodiversity consultant and educator. Lyric shares their journey of self-discovery after being diagnosed as a...

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss neurodivergent people who have shaped their lives and the influence of neurodivergent individuals in various fields. They talk about the impact of Walt Disney, Roald Dahl, Robin Williams and share personal anecdotes and discuss the importance of representation from those who have overcome challenges and inspire...

"The only people that I spoke to that one, didn't make me feel like an alien and two, spoke my language were neurodivergent people." In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan and Simon are joined by Jordans wife Sylvia. They discuss how they discovered their neurodivergence, how Sylvia was the one who first realized that Jordan might be autistic, and her experience of discovering he...

"Neurodivergent Jenga is like many little triggers, which take away each one of your little bricks" In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss the concept of losing spoons and playing Neurodivergent Jenga. We talk the concept of spoons, which represents energy levels, and how different factors can drain or add to their spoons throughout the day. Have you...

"Neurodivergent tax, also known as ADHD tax, is the impulse buying that has been a delight and a burden on me and my finances." In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss impulse buying and 'Neurodivergent Tax'. The hosts discuss their personal experiences with impulse buying, including purchasing expensive items like dogs and sneakers, and having to pay...