The Neurodiverse Toolbox

Paige and Sheila discuss parenting. One of the things Paige is most worried about doing well in the future. Paige finds hacks while researching online and Sheila draws from life. Parenting is hard and important work but also fun and enjoyable. 

Piage and Sheila discuss friendships. Making and keeping friends can be a challenge for NDs. Some don't seem to have any issues but other people struggle with friendships for their whole life. 

Paige and Sheila discuss if something is a Can't or a Won't for the ADHD brain. But we do get side tracked a number of times. 

Can't is inability to do something which is sometimes true for the ADHD brain but shouldn't be assumed. 

Won't is willfully not doing something but it also comes from negative self-stories that we tell ourself. Won't shouldn't be assumed either. 

Check your story or your child/teen's. Is it true? 

Paige and Sheila discuss creativity. One of the best parts about being a ND is thinking differently than NTs. So many podcast focus of problem solving that we wanted to take a moment to appreciate one of the super power of having different brain wiring. 

Paige and Sheila discuss organization - time, belongs, thoughts. Sometimes it is all too much and overwhelming. This seems to be an on-going struggle for many including Paige. Many tips by well-minded individuals just don't work or are so simple that if that was a solution you would have done it by now. 

Body doubling helps many people - especially people with ADHD or who work from home (or both!) Here is the link to focusmate

Paige and Sheila have a guest, Colby Stephens. Colby is a local personal banker and ADHDer. He suggests these resources:

Investopedia: Sharper insight, better investing.

Budget Tracker & Planner | Free Online Money Management | Mint (intuit.com)

And these books:

The Power of Zero, Brian Mcknight

The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel

Atomic Habits, James Clea

As a follow up, Paige has a scheduled meeting with Colby to address her own spending and saving issues. 

Thank you Colby for coming on our podcast!

Paige and Sheila discuss sleeping or not with a ND. Sleep is critical everyone but is the most important self-care for NDs. Paige shares what she has learned and what works for her. See why Paige has a strong reaction to all the fibers while sleeping. 

Paige and Sheila discuss food and supplements that are good for ND brain wiring. We aren't  nutritionists, RDs or doctors. If you are going to change or add something to your diet consult one of these people or do your own research - warning that can be a bit of a rabbit hole. 

Part of what Paige and I want to do with this podcast is to show that NDs are everywhere and that there are successful people in all areas of life who are ND. We have on people who we know who are living with NDs from Dr. Paul in episode 10 to today with Fr. Michael. While you may not be Catholic, you may hear a lot of yourself in how Fr. Michael describes himself. We aren't pushing our faith but want to point out that ND is everywhere in the world. 

If you are interested - Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia's Podcast - What God Is Not

Paige and Sheila discuss co-occurring conditional with NDs. Some are well known, some are less well know and some were a surprise! 

I said I would link the Eating Disorder episode here but honestly I am having trouble remembering how to do that. It is episode 12 if you want more information about Autism and Easting Disorders.