WTF is AuDHD?

In this episode Paige is on holiday, so Ellie sits down with her partner Sam to talk about his journey with late-diagnosed ADHD. From childhood challenges and misunderstood behaviours, to the coping mechanisms he developed along the way, to the huge relief (and grief) of finally getting a diagnosis - we dig into what life looked like before and after. Sam shares how he found his career as a young social media star, why it helped him process his emotions pre-diagnosis and he opens up about struggling with emotional regulation. Next week we’ll chat with Sam again, and dive into what it’s like to navigate a relationship together as two neurodivergent people.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastFollow Sam - @samjrmorgan (Instagram) Join our Linktree! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just like last episode, we're going through a common autism screener (Autism Quotient) and discussing the limitations of these questions (especially if you might be AuDHD). While tools like this can be a helpful first step, they also have major blind spots - especially around masking, nuance, and gender differences. We share the answers we gave in our actual screeners from a few years back and disuss why lived experience needs to be an important part of neurodevelopmental assessments. SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLinktree Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever taken an ADHD screener and thought, “Well, that didn’t feel accurate…” you’re not alone! In this episode, we walk through the 18 questions you're generally asked in New Zealand, to work out whether you are "worth" further assessment for ADHD. We go through the screener, answer them as AuDHDers, and show why screeners don't always capture the full picture - especially if you’ve spent years masking, you've got trauma or other diagnoses. There are so many limitations to these screeners, and we hope this episode gives you more confidence in your interpretation of them.Here's the link to the screener we are referencing.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastJoin our private Reddit community - link in our LINKTREEWatch on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet our ADHD Dad, Grant! He was born in the 60s - in a generation that barely knew anything about neurodivergence. Dad went through school, work, parenting, literally everything without a diagnosis until much later in life, and unfortunately his parents had passed away before he was diagnosed. In this episode, Grant shares what it’s like to piece together your story backwards, how late diagnosis changed the way he sees himself, what it's like getting ADHD coaching and we discuss the generational differences in awareness and stigma. He also reflects on some hilarious stories from his childhood (that now make sense after getting his diagnosis). We're really grateful for our Dad's vulnerabilty and the advice he shares from his own lived experience.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore Pathological Demand Avoidance (more compassionately known as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) - a profile most often linked with autism that goes far beyond being just being “stubborn.” We break down what PDA is, our understanding of it and how it's appeared in our life, and why everyday requests can feel overwhelming or even threatening - even if the demand is from within your own mind. We share personal stories of when demands have triggered resistance (sometimes without us even realising why), and unpack the differences between ADHD task resistance and PDA driven task resistance.Again, please use this episode as a jump-off to do your own research!SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastJoin our private Reddit community! Link in our Linktree Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we open up about our personal journeys with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal / autoimmune issues we've experienced, using hindsight to recognise it may have all been linked to our autism and ADHD (stress!). We start exploring the connection between the brain and the gut, including how our stomach microbiome impacts our brain. We dive into emerging research linking neurodivergence with physical health and common correlations. This episode isn’t medical advice, but more a conversation to spark curiosity. We encourage you to do your own research but we just wanted to remind you that you’re not the only one with a gassy gut!Find the research article we reference HERE. Join our private community on Reddit - direct link in our Linktree.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transitions can be some of the hardest moments for people with ADHD, autism, or both - even when we’re looking forward to what’s next. Paige and Ellie have had a few ephiphanies recently about how transitions have affected them throughout their life. In this episode, we explore why shifting from one activity, environment, or phase of life can feel so dysregulating, and how neurodivergent inertia plays into it. We unpack our own personal struggless and offer tips for supporting yourself and your kids through transitions.Join our Reddit community!SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Khurram Sadiq is back for part two where we dig into common misdiagnoses, masking, family dynamics, and how to truly identify AuDHD traits. We also touch on workplace accommodations, co-occurring conditions like OCD and PMDD, and how to manage burnout and executive dysfunction (especially when medication isn’t accessible or effective). Dr Sadiq offers grounded advice and hope to anyone navigating late diagnosis, uncertainty, or feeling "too much" for the world.Win a signed copy of Dr Khurram Sadiq's new book - Explaining AuDHD! Head over to our Instagram @wtfisaudhdpodcast to enter.Purchase your own copy hereKey moments:1:50 – If one sibling is neurodivergent, does that mean the others are too? Genetics, family traits, and environment explained3:50 – How undiagnosed neurodivergent parents can unknowingly impact their kids - and themselves5:20 – When a child’s diagnosis leads to the parent’s lightbulb moment6:34 – The most common misdiagnoses (and what clinicians often miss)8:50 – Why all clinicians need better training to recognise neurodevelopmental conditions11:12 – The biggest blind spots in current diagnostic practices - and how they affect adults especially13:20 – How do you really know if you’re AuDHD - and not “just” ADHD or autistic?18:34 – The link between OCD and neurodivergence: is it a separate condition or a secondary outcome?21:06 – Why masking is subconscious - and how to begin unmasking safely24:45 – Practical ways businesses and workplaces can better accommodate AuDHDers29:38 – Managing life with AuDHD: realistic tips from lived experience34:20 – Why content, podcasts, and peer education are critical to self-understanding35:45 – The latest research on AuDHD that we should be paying attention to37:50 – What’s the connection between neurodivergence and tic disorders?39:59 – Dr Sadiq shares new insight into PMDD and neurodivergence42:32 – How to handle AuDHD burnout - especially when you're trying to do everything46:26 – What to do when medication isn’t working - or you can’t access it50:21 – Assimilate or opt out? The hard choices AuDHDers face around work, education, and parenting54:05 – Final reflections: a message to every neurodivergent person trying their best in a world not built for them Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Khurram Sadiq - renowned psychiatrist and AuDHDer - joins us to help explain AuDHD. In this powerful first half of our conversation, we unpack his own diagnostic journey, what it means to live between ADHD and autism, and why this combination deserves more recognition. We explore how gender, culture, and systemic pressures influence diagnosis, and why many of us are missed or misunderstood for decades. Dr Sadiq also shares his perspective on whether ADHD and autism exist on a shared spectrum - and how we can begin to differentiate between similar traits. Part two of our chat is out next week!Win a signed copy of Dr Khurram Sadiq's new book - Explaining AuDHD! Head over to our Instagram @wtfisaudhdpodcast to enter.Purchase your own copy hereKey moments:4:39 – Dr Sadiq shares his upbringing and the early signs of neurodivergence he experienced, including the emotional toll of trying to conform in a neurotypical world15:04 – The unexpected journey that led him into mental health17:20 – How Dr Sadiq came to be diagnosed as AuDHD himself23:15 – What he now recognises in hindsight from his childhood and adolescence26:13 – Why he chose to specialise in autism + ADHD - and what he's learned from that path27:15 – How he believes neurodivergence should be diagnosed - and what’s missing in the current system30:21 – Dr Sadiq breaks down how he defines ADHD, autism, and how they overlap34:19 – A compelling story of a woman who denied her diagnosis - and what that says about stigma36:35 – What really “causes” neurodivergent conditions? Dr Sadiq explains what the research tells us (and what it doesn’t)37:45 – A fascinating hypothesis about genetics and brain development41:35 – How gender, culture, and hormones all impact how neurodevelopmental conditions manifest - and why women and AFAB people are often missed44:41 – How societal expectations around women’s roles can delay diagnosis and support46:07 – How systemic pressure (not just individual traits) influences how autism and ADHD show up48:45 – Are autism and ADHD truly separate conditions - or part of a shared spectrum?50:58 – How to tell the difference between autistic “indifference” and ADHD “inattention"52:58 – Distraction or sensory overload? Understanding how they can look the same but feel different55:15 – Why some ADHDers speak without a filter, while autistic people often struggle with social nuance58:30 – Is it over-talking, or talking with passion?59:56 – The paradoxes of living with AuDHD - where traits seem to contradict themselves.1:01:30 – Understanding the spectrum of autism: what's the difference between profound autism and levels 1–3? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re diving into a big one: having children as an AuDHD adult. Neither of us are parents (yet - or possibly ever), so this is not a how-to, but an open conversation about the thoughts, fears, and feelings we have around parenting as neurodivergent people.We speak honestly about the differences in our perspectives (Paige and Ellie don’t feel the same way!), and share the thoughts and experiences sent in by our community - from those who are already parenting with AuDHD, to those who’ve chosen not to, and everything in between.One day, we’ll revisit this topic with actual parents and experts - but for now, consider this a first step in holding space for the complicated and very human feelings that come with the idea of having kids when your brain is wired like ours.LINKTREE@wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're diving into what it’s really like navigating work with AuDHD. We chat about our personal job histories - the burnout, the boredom, the passion, and the pivots - and why sticking to one career path can feel impossible. If you’ve ever loved and hated your job at the same time, or blamed yourself for not being “cut out” for work, this one’s for you. You’re not lazy - you’re likely unsupported. We also remind you (and ourselves) to not lose self-compassion - it's so important to not turn on yourself!LINKTREESOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is AuDHD so hard to manage and treat? In this episode, we explore lived contradictions of having both ADHD and autism - where one part of your brain craves routine and the other thrives on chaos, often resulting in burnout. We share real-life examples from ourselves and you - our listeners! We unpack why treatments often fall short, and highlight how young the concept of AuDHD really is - including in clinical settings.Join our private Reddit community!LINKTREESOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by Mike Cochrane (@nzpsychologyclinic), a Clinical Psychologist and fellow AuDHDer who specialises in Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD assessments. We had an insightful and validating chat about life with an AuDHD brain.Together, we unpack:Commonly missed traits in ADHD and autismHow to get a diagnosisWhy diagnosis often comes with both relief and griefStrategies for navigating executive dysfunction and overwhelmHow CBT and ACT can support AuDHDers - and when they fall shortThe recent legislation change in NZ allowing GPs to diagnose ADHDThe importance of self-understanding, unmasking, and neurodivergent-led therapyand more!We thoroughly enjoyed this chat and if you'd like more information about Mike Cochrane and his diagnosis process, head to nzpsychologyclinic.co.nzLINKTREESOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autism or trauma - or both? In today’s episode, we (very basically) unpack the complex relationship between Complex PTSD (CPTSD) and autism. We explore the ways the two can look similar, why autistic people are more likely to experience trauma, and why it’s so important to approach self-identification with care and curiosity. We reflect on personal experiences, share research insights, and offer guidance for anyone navigating these diagnoses. With so many of you finding value in our conversations, we thought it was important to touch on this point. This episode only scrapes the top level of this topic so we strongly encourage you to do your own research.Neurodivergent insights article we reference: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/ptsd-and-autism/LINKTREESOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re constantly exhausted no matter how much you feel like you're resting, it might autistic, ADHD or AuDHD burnout (and yes, it's different from traditional 'burnout'). Our neurodivergent brains are different and therefore the causes and treatment for burnout need to be neurodiversity affirming. We unpack the causes of ADHD, autistic, and AuDHD burnout, what we've experienced, how it can be confused for depression and why traditional therapy may not work for you. Below are some resources we reference in the episode - as always, please continue to do your own research!Join our Reddit community!LINKTREESOCIAL @wtfaudhdpodcastSOURCES:@vivdawesautistic (Instagram) and WEBSITE with (paid) resourcesHandy (paid) Burnout WorkbookPrevention for AuDHD Burnout - article here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting an ADHD or autism diagnosis - especially later in life - can bring an avalanche of emotions: relief, validation, anger, grief, confusion, and imposter syndrome. In today’s episode, we talk about the messy, beautiful, and often overwhelming feelings that come before and after a diagnosis.We share real community stories and our own experiences of trying to make sense of this new identity, processing the past, navigating conversations with family, and wrestling with the fear of not being believed - especially when autism (in particular) is still so misunderstood.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastJoin our Reddit community! Link in our Linktree Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re diving deep into justice sensitivity - the intense emotional reaction many AuDHDers have to unfairness, inequality, and being misunderstood.We explore what justice sensitivity actually is, how it shows up differently in autism and ADHD, and why it’s more than just being “too sensitive. We share our own real-life examples and strategies to cope when injustice feels personal.✨ Listener shoutouts from Reddit start the episode! Join our Reddit community HERE.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join our private Reddit community: https://www.reddit.com/r/wtfisaudhdpodcast/Feeling lonely even when you're surrounded by people? You're not broken and you're not alone. In this episode, we unpack loneliness, friendship struggles, and the invisible barriers that come with having both ADHD and autism (AuDHD). We unpack why so many ADHDers and autistic people struggle with connection, friendship maintenance, and burnout, even though a lot of us crave closeness more than anything.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is RSD? Is it just an ADHD thing? Is it trauma? In this episode, we’re breaking down Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria - a common but sometimes misunderstood experience in the ADHD community. We explore how RSD affects people with ADHD and autism, why it might develop, and how it shows up in everyday life. Plus, we share personal stories, examples, and strategies to cope when rejection feels like danger.LINKTREESOCIAL @wtifisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this practical and personal episode, we’re diving into real-life strategies for navigating the daily chaos of living with ADHD (and autism!) but this is more focused on the ADHD side. Paige's entrepreneurial and creative brain has come up with a bunch of strategies that she's affectionately called Paige's Pointers. These tips help with everything from executive dysfunction to sensory overwhelm. We appreciate these might not work for everyone, but we hope you find some value!SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.