Hello, and “thank you” for joining me on this journey. Let’s hope it doesn’t become the latest hyper focus! I thought I’d take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about me, and why I’ve set up this blog…

As someone who is late-diagnosed Autistic and ADHD, I’ve recently learnt a lot about myself and the wider world, and how neurodiversity plays its part in my experiences. This blog is essentially my attempt to look at life through a neurodiverse lens.

It’s worth noting that just because these are my experiences, does not mean that all people with similar/the same diagnoses will experience the world in the same way.

So about me…I hope you’ve grabbed a cuppa!

I currently work in a senior leadership role at a University and part of that role means I’m responsible for overseeing the student experience within my Faculty. This is a part of my role that I particularly enjoy, despite it presenting many challenges, because there are times when I’m actually able to make a difference; either at an individual student level, or even at Faculty-level or sometimes even University-wide.

Being diagnosed late in life can bring forth its own trials and tribulations but I also feel it has presented me with an opportunity to truly reflect on my practices and try to use this new lens to make life better for neurodiverse staff and students.

I’m an only child so have always enjoyed my own company. Whilst not always obvious to others, I’d describe myself as a shy and reserved child, with difficulties in making friends (by this I mean that I’d consider myself a ‘floater’ rather than having fixed groups of friends like so many I know). I always felt different to others, and used to sit and read at break times rather than play games (especially physical ones!).

I was fortunate that I did well academically, and attended a grammar school requiring me to pass an 11+ entrance exam. At 14, I was the youngest in the UK (at the time) to pass the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) which led me to start work at the age of 16, teaching IT, English and Maths at an adult education centre, which I continued throughout my degree.

After my degree, I worked clinically for a few years, being promoted quickly and supporting staff and student training. This led me to realise how much I actually enjoyed teaching and seeing that growth in people, so I moved into academia.

Here’s where the impulsivity kicks in; back in 2011, I moved 150 miles from home, alone, to a place I’d never been before, where I knew no-one, to start a job that I’d never done before.

As you can imagine, lots of things have happened since I’ve moved, but again, I progressed quickly through 4 different roles to get to the point I’m at today and I’m pretty darn proud of it.

Unfortunately, due to a significant event in 2019, my burnout started (although I didn’t realise until I was diagnosed in Dec 2022). This meant that with the additional stressors presented by the Covid-19 pandemic alongside some other massive changes in my personal life, my burnout deepened and only now am I feeling like I’m making any progress in getting back to my own version of normal.

I’m using my experiences of burnout, the way it manifested and the lessons I’ve learnt to try and support others, hopefully before they reach that point. As difficult as it is, I’m trying to turn it into a positive and use this newfound lens to help others achieve their potential.