Neurodivergence doesn’t stop at 18.
kiND doesn’t either.
“Neurodivergence” is an umbrella term to capture the unique experiences of folx whose brains simply function differently than the “norm.” Many treatment approaches try to make neurodivergent people change who they are in order to “fit in.” At kiND, I know another way is possible; in fact, I’d argue it’s the only way. I work with you to help you rediscover your strengths and celebrate what makes you unique.
neu·ro·di·ver·gence
difference from the societal “norm” in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population
How I help Adults + couples
I specialize in the unique needs of Autistic, AD/HD, and other neurodivergent people who have been previously misdiagnosed with another mental health condition, are late diagnosed, or self-identify. The “internalized presentation” is my area of special focus.
There are usually two ways adults begin to wonder about their neurodivergence:
intense anxiety, depression, or burnout— sometimes, over and over again, with minimal to no relief
your child was just diagnosed, and you think you “might be, too”
Unfortunately, we often come to discover our neurodivergence from extreme distress or traumatic experiences. While this is changing, stigma and a continued need for professional knowledge can still make our self discovery elusive. Sometimes, adults may even jokingly say they’re “so AD/HD” or “probably Autistic”…and then quietly question whether it’s true. Our culture so strongly associates these experiences with children that it’s hard to know whether it’s even a “thing” for adults. How do you find out for sure? Maybe you’re just “scattered” or “quirky”…right?
Maybe.
Maybe your struggles with organization and communication, your feelings of loneliness, and your relationship frustrations are a clash between brain type and environment, not an individual deficit.
Maybe this is just the start of a new look into who you’ve been all along.
kiND can help. There are lots of common traits of neurodivergence, but below are a handful that resonate with many adult ND folx:
feeling settled + supported by deep pressure + heavy work (like weighted blankets or workouts) / experiencing clumsiness + “phantom” bruises that appear unexpectedly
noticing details, sounds, or sensations others miss / missing things that others seem to understand automatically, often in interactions
energetic + best able to maintain attention when busy / fidgeting, needing to move, often “on the go”
variability in memory: forgetfulness or strong ability to remember facts and details (and, often, both)
deeply felt emotions and empathy / “hyperempathy” or difficulty identifying/expressing emotions (and, often, both)
preference for intense connections without a need for small talk / history of bullying and/or workplace conflict, such as getting fired— or not just quitting, but bolting from jobs
a creative mind with many ideas / difficulty starting tasks — especially when you’re not interested, but even if you are
intense felt experiences / frequently feeling “overwhelmed”
giftedness or “spiky” developmental profile, sometimes experienced as being “so smart but so [insert ableist insult here]”
remembering details others don’t / misplacing common objects, e.g. losing your keys or your phone…again. (and again.)
being called “gifted” or “creative,” “dramatic” or “too much,” “unique” or “intuitive,” “awkward” or “random,” “highly intelligent” or “highly sensitive,” “weird” or “unemotional” (and many more)
Recognize anyone? Contact me to set up a free, 15-minute consultation and see how kiND can make “different” work for you.
image descriptions
top image: a person with brown hair wearing headphones, looking over their right shoulder.
second image: a person sitting in a dim room, light reflecting on them, resting their elbows on their knees and holding their clasped hands to their forehead
third image: a close-up view of two people wearing wedding bands, seated with arms linked at the elbows, one hand on top of the other
bottom image: a person with short dark hair and a beard, wearing glasses and leaning forward, looking into the distance