What if exhaustion wasn't a character flaw but your brain working twice as hard just to get through the day? We're exploring autism, ADHD, burnout, and why understanding your needs matter.

"We're like a beautiful constellation, and we all have differences and you've got a place where you fit in."

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob is joined by Lyric Rivera (also known online as the Neurodivergent Rebel), an autistic ADHDer, author, and workplace inclusion consultant.

Lyric shares their personal journey, from being diagnosed with autism at 30, followed by a later ADHD diagnosis in their mid-30s. They talk about what each process looked and felt like.

We explore how autism and ADHD can intertwine, and how unmet needs and masking can lead to burnout. Listeners will come away with a fresh perspective: understanding your needs matters more than labels.

Key takeaways:

• Autism and ADHD diagnoses are very different. The autism assessment often requires childhood history and family input, while ADHD assessment tends to be more straightforward and adult-focused.
• Hiding or adjusting autistic and ADHD traits to fit in (known as masking) takes a real toll. Over time, the effort of constant masking can lead to burnout, physical illness, and loss of skills.
• Knowing your needs matters more than labelling every trait. Rather than sorting behaviours into "that's autism" or "that's ADHD," it's better to focus on what support you need.
• Neuro-affirming workplaces benefit everyone. When environments are designed with neurodivergent needs in mind, everyone benefits. This could include flexible working hours, reduced sensory load, and clear communication.
• You don't need to have it all figured out. Whether you have a diagnosis or not, you can advocate for yourself by naming what you need and that is enough.

"The things that neurodivergent people need benefit everyone, if we just lean into them."

About Lyric:

Lyric Rivera is a late-identified Autistic and ADHD adult, best known for their blog, NeuroDivergent Rebel, and for the best-selling business ethics book, Workplace Neurodiversity Rising (which was praised in Forbes as "an excellent 'how to manual 'based on lived Experience and professional competence.")

Other titles Lyric has worked on include the popular children's workbook Autism, Identity, and Me (adult version coming soon), and Neurodivergent Rebel's The Weight of Normal (released this past fall).

The philosophy of Neurodivergent Consulting is to support the creation of accessible workplaces and other spaces (via universal design) that enable Neurodivergent (and all) people to fully realize their unique talents and fresh perspectives through care and support of the whole person. This allows us to bring our full selves to the spaces we enter.

Where to find Lyric:

🔗 Neurodivergent Rebel Website

🔗 Neurodivergent Consulting Website

🔗 Neurodivergent Rebel Patreon

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