As a counsellor and coach, I often meet clients who are exploring what it means to live with ADHD or autism, sometimes for the first time.

Whether newly diagnosed or still figuring things out, many people come to therapy with similar questions:

“Why do I experience the world this way?”
“Is something wrong with me?”
“How can I learn to thrive, not just cope?”

The truth is, there is nothing “wrong” with having a neurodivergent brain. ADHD and autism are simply different ways of processing information, emotions, and experiences. When we begin to understand these differences and our own uniqueness, we can replace shame with self-awareness - and frustration with compassion.

What Is ADHD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects how the brain manages attention, motivation, and emotional regulation. It’s not about a lack of focus - it’s about having a different pattern of focus.

People with ADHD might:

• Find it hard to concentrate on tasks that don’t feel stimulating
• Struggle with organisation, time, or memory
• Experience restlessness, impulsivity, or emotional intensity

But alongside these challenges often comes creativity, energy, enthusiasm, and resilience. Many people with ADHD are quick thinkers, innovators, and deeply passionate individuals - especially when they find what truly engages them.

What Is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopment difference that shapes how a person communicates, relates to others, and interprets the world around them.

Autistic individuals might:

• Prefer structure and routine
• Experience sensory sensitivities (like bright lights, textures, or sounds)
• Find social interactions confusing or draining
• Develop deep, focused interests

Autism isn’t about lacking empathy or social skills - it’s about a different way of expressing and experiencing them. Many autistic people describe their sensitivity, honesty, and attention to detail as core strengths.

When ADHD and Autism Overlap

It’s increasingly recognised that ADHD and autism can co-occur. In fact, many people discover that they have traits of both. The overlap can make daily life especially complex - balancing competing needs for stimulation and routine, or dealing with intense emotions and sensory experiences.

This dual experience can lead to:

• Emotional burnout from masking or overcompensating
• Difficulty with self-identity who am I - what makes me ‘me’
• Frustration in relationships due to communication differences

As a counsellor, my role is to create a space where my clients can safely explore these experiences, free of judgment or labels that limit their self-understanding.

Supporting Neurodivergent Clients in Counselling

Working with ADHD and autistic clients means embracing flexibility and creativity in the therapeutic process. What helps one person may not help another - and that’s okay. Some useful approaches include:

• Psych-education: Understanding how neurodivergent brains work can reduce shame and increase self-compassion.
• Strengths-based therapy or coaching: Focus on what works for the client, not what’s “wrong.”
• Sensory-friendly spaces: Calming lighting, reduced noise, and comfortable settings help clients regulate and engage.
• Collaborative pacing: Checking in frequently about communication styles, session structure, and goals.

Above all, therapy should empower you to build a life that works for your brain - I will not fit you into a version of “normal” that was never designed for you.

A Final Word

If you’re reading this as someone who suspects you may have ADHD or autism - or as someone already on that journey - please know this: You are not broken. Your brain is simply wired differently, and that difference can bring both challenges and strengths.

Counselling and coaching can help you make sense of your experiences, develop practical coping strategies, and learn to appreciate your unique way of being in the world.

Neurodiversity is not a disorder to be fixed - it’s a reality to be understood, supported, and valued.

If you’d like support navigating ADHD, autism, or neurodivergent identity, I can provide a safe and understanding space to start that journey.