A Girl Living with AuDHD: A Journey

  The fireworks, BBQs, parades, picnics, and 5K runs are all traditions most people have for the 4th of July.  However, people who are neurodiverse may struggle with certain celebrations during the day.  Since July 4th, 2025 is in a few short days, I came up with a list of tips and tricks on how to make this Independence Day one to remember in a GOOD WAY! 🎆 Neurodivergent Survival Tips for the 4th of July 🎆 1. Make a Plan Ahead of Time If crowds or unpredictability overwhelm you, planning for possible scenarios can help reduce anxiety. Decide in advance what events you're attending and for how long. 2. Bring Sensory Tools Pack noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs if fireworks or loud crowds are triggering. Bring calming items like fidget toys, weighted objects, or soothing essential oils. 3. Prepare for Outdoor Conditions If you're going to a park or outdoor event, bring: A blanket or camping chair Sunscreen Sunglasses A hat A portable ...

PICTURE THIS: It's the end of a busy work day.  You had a big meeting today and you know it would take everything out of you.  To prepare for a long day, last night you went to bed by 9pm, this morning you woke up at 6am to do your regular hour run, ate your breakfast, showered, and drove to work by 9am.  You get off of work at 5p and traffic is backed up causing you to get home later than you thought you would.  You get home at 6pm, you have to make dinner...but you get a call from your bestie Maddie.  She wants to get dinner with you and maybe get some dessert too.  You haven't seen her in a while, but you just got home and you like to be in bed by 9pm.  What do you do? This dilemma has happened to us at some point in our lives.  It's normal.  Did you know you can set boundaries with Maddie?  Let's remember talking about our values.  Do you value your friendship with Maddie?  Do you think she values her friendship with you?...

The dreaded part of the day where you have to get your steps in or burn a certain amount of calories.  We've all been there (even if you are a workout-aholic).  Executive dysfunction makes wanting to exercise even more of a challenge.  Studies have shown that when people with autism (and even ADHD) exercise, they're able to be more mindful, sharpens their focus, managing stress is easier, they're more emotionally aware, social skills are improved, increased ability to make eye contact, ability to imitate others and interpret non-verbal communication.  It's known by many that exercising can be effective in many ways. Look at it this way, if you are exercising 30-minutes a day for 4-6 days out of the week, you are able to improve so many aspects of your health.  I included a news story in one of the videos below about a school of kids with autism who incorporated yoga into their routine and the behaviors of their students had decreased.  When you exercise, yo...

  Yee-haw! Howdy there partners! It's summer in the USA, which means parades, swimming, and rodeos.  On Wednesday June 25th, my friends and I attended the Lehi Roundup Rodeo at the Lehi Rodeo Grounds in Lehi, Utah.   Here are some tips and tricks that I came up with  for my fellow neurodiverse folks  while I attended my first rodeo: Know what to expect by asking people who have been to the same rodeo that you're going to (or who have been) about the rodeo. When asking people about the rodeo, ask them how long theirs was.   The rodeo I attended was about 90-minutes long for the horse and bull part and after was a drone show plus a bike show.  My friends and I left after the horse and bull part were over. Bleacher seats HURT!  If I had to, I would've brought a blanket or some type of cushion. Bring some sunscreen .  My friends and I were in the shade for most of the night, but you never know if you're going to get a sunburn from the pre-s...

  Bonjour, mes amis! Aujourd'hui c'est jeudi!! ( Translated:  Hello, my friends! Today is Thursday!!)   As a 90s baby and 2000s kid, I grew up fixated on Ludwig Bemelmans' book series and children's cartoon series, Madeline . A story that follows a girl that lives in an old house in Paris that is covered with vines. Out of twelve little girls, the smallest one is: Madeline . Madeline! A comfort and nostalgic character of mine.  I've always admired her and her courage to stand up to most things, despite how small she is. Now that I'm older, I've realized how much Madeline embodies a neurodiverse child.  I know she's not diagnosed (DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM), but looking back I relate to her a lot.  Unfortunately, I'm not as courageous as she is when it comes to shouting at a tiger at a zoo.  However, she has taught me how to be brave.  When I had surgery on my face when I was younger to remove a cyst, I thought about being brave just like Madeline w...

  Have you been in a situation where you felt uncomfortable to be in that a friend forced you to be in?  Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you have no control whatsoever?  This is what it feels like to have your consent taken from you.  Consent is respecting people's boundaries in any kind of relationship. Consent is part of life as an adult.  (if you are underage (18 years old), you still have the right to say "no".) You don't have to be a certain age to not give consent.  Giving someone your consent is a way of respecting boundaries.  Unfortunately, we aren't always going to get our way in everything we do. However, a good and effective way we can advocate is by giving or not giving our consent to others.  Many times people think that it's a sexual thing, but it doesn't have to be.  If your mom and dad are telling you to get a job because you're an adult and you live there rent-free doing nothing all day...that's differe...