In this episode of ADHD Her Way, Johanna sits down with Amy Sketcher, a psychologist specialising in neurodivergence in children and adolescents. Amy works with kids aged 3 to 12, and explains how she uses play therapy as a non-directive, therapeutic tool to help them navigate challenges. She shares how ADHD can present differently depending on age—younger children may exhibit hyperactivity and impulsivity, while older kids and teens may face struggles with inattention, time management, and anxiety.

Amy and Johanna emphasise the unmet potential of kids with ADHD and the impact of their struggles with self-esteem and expectations. The conversation also delves into the coexistence of ADHD and specific learning disorders (SLD), highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to better support children and families. They tackle common misconceptions about ADHD, and Amy shares practical advice on the supports parents and schools can provide, including accommodations, targeted interventions, and helpful resources.

Key takeaways:

• ADHD presents differently depending on age—younger kids may show hyperactivity and impulsivity, while older children and teens may struggle more with inattention and anxiety.
• Play therapy is a powerful tool for helping younger children express and process emotions.
• Kids with ADHD often have unmet potential and face self-esteem challenges, but early diagnosis and intervention can unlock their abilities.
• ADHD and specific learning disorders (SLD) often coexist, making it crucial to provide tailored support at home and in school.
• Misconceptions about ADHD still persist, but parents and schools can play a significant role in offering accommodations and targeted interventions.

Sound Bites

"Play therapy is where toys become the words and play is the language of communication"

"Kids with ADHD often have unmet potential and struggle to meet expectations"

"Kids with ADHD often say things they don't mean in heightened emotional states"

"All Dogs Have ADHD book great because I can use it with reading the book and also real life examples of things that Augie does that are very ADHD"

"The Rainbow Brain and The Brain Forest are great, not just for those who are neurodivergent, but all kids, because it gives a bit of an introduction to what different neurotypes look like"

"Tracy Moroney's picture books that talk about feelings and how to manage them can be helpful in understanding their feelings and emotions"

In this conversation, Johanna Badenhorst discusses the importance of embracing opportunities, celebrating small wins, and the impact of positive reinforcement on mental health, particularly for those with ADHD. She reflects on her podcast journey, cultural perspectives on achievement, and practical ways to practice gratitude and self-compassion. The conversation emphasizes the need for neurodivergent individuals to recognise their accomplishments and foster self-esteem,trust and confidence.

Takeaways

• ADHD minds can achieve remarkable things through hyper-fixation.

• Celebrating small wins is crucial for self-esteem and motivation.
• Positive reinforcement can significantly impact mental health.
• Reflecting on achievements helps build confidence and identity.
• Cultural attitudes towards success can affect self-perception.
• Gratitude practices can enhance overall well-being.
• Self-compassion is essential for overcoming self-criticism.
• Recognizing small accomplishments fosters resilience.
• Creating a reward system can motivate progress.
• Practicing gratitude regularly reinforces positive thinking.

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Small Wins

01:38 Reflection on Podcast Journey

05:26 Cultural Perspectives on Achievement

08:46 The Link Between Gratitude and Celebration

12:36 Practical Strategies for Celebrating Wins

18:31 Outro ADHD Her Way podcast .mp3

Summary

In this conversation, Johanna interviews Amanda Moses, a psychologist who specializes in ADHD and autism assessments for adults. They discuss Amanda's background and passion for this work, the importance of self-care for professionals in the helping profession, the process of diagnosing ADHD and autism, the misconceptions and overlap between the two conditions, and the challenges faced by individuals with high masking or internalized presentations. Strategies for managing ADHD and autism are discussed, including building compensatory strategies, embracing strengths, and practicing self-compassion. The conversation also addresses the misconception that trauma can explain ADHD and autism, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis and appropriate support. The importance of preventing and managing autistic burnout is highlighted, along with the value of understanding and accommodating sensory issues.

For Amanda's clinical resources use the code 'johannabadenhor' for a discount. https://www.amandamosespsychology.com.au/clinicalresources Also check her out on Instagram and Tiktok @amandamosespsychology

Follow @adhderway and contact us via hello@holisticwellnesspsychology.com.au. We love to hear from you!

Also visit: ⁠⁠www.holisticwellnesspsychology.com.au⁠⁠ to get access to free ADHD guides, blogs and information on how to work with me.

Keywords

ADHD, autism, assessment, diagnosis, high masking, internalized presentation, misconceptions, overlap, psychologists, ADHD, autism, neurodiversity, contradictory traits, identification, managing, compensatory strategies, strengths, self-compassion, trauma, autistic burnout, sensory issues

Takeaways

Psychologists specializing in ADHD and autism assessments for adults should stay up to date with research and guidelines to provide accurate and affirming assessments.

Transparency about the assessment process and fees is important for both psychologists and psychiatrists.

High masking or internalized presentations of ADHD and autism may not display stereotypical observable traits, but individuals still experience the same constellation of traits internally.

ADHD and autism are distinct neurotypes that often coexist, and it is important to assess both together to provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual's experiences.

Misconceptions and stereotypes about ADHD and autism can lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, and it is crucial to seek information from individuals with lived experience.

Cognitive assessments, such as intelligence tests, are not necessary for diagnosing ADHD in adults and may perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Psychologists have a responsibility to provide assessments that are relevant and necessary, and to avoid exploitative practices.

The DSM-5 allows for the diagnosis of both ADHD and autism, and many individuals may have been previously misdiagnosed or undiagnosed due to the previous guidelines.

Living with both ADHD and autism can feel like living with two different paradoxes, as the two conditions have distinct characteristics and experiences. ADHD and autism have contradictory traits that can make identification and understanding challenging.

Strategies for managing ADHD include building compensatory strategies, embracing strengths, and practicing self-compassion.

The misconception that trauma can explain ADHD and autism should be challenged, and accurate diagnosis and appropriate support are crucial.

Preventing and managing autistic burnout is important, and understanding and accommodating sensory issues is essential.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:19 Passion for ADHD and Autism Assessments

06:42 Challenges of High Masking and Internalized Presentations

11:59 Co-Occurrence of ADHD and Autism

21:03 Misconceptions and Overlap between ADHD and Autism

24:38 Living with Contradictory Neurotypes

25:07 The Challenges of Identifying Autism and ADHD

44:08 Strategies for Managing and Thriving

49:26 Embracing Neurodiversity