How I cope with rejection-sensitive dysphoria (and how you can too)
Rejection-sensitive dysphoria is ADHD’s dark secret. It lurks in pretty much everyone with ADHD (99% according to WebMD), unknown and unspoken. Some people who haveContinue reading “How I cope with rejection-sensitive dysphoria (and how you can too)”
What is neurodiversity and why should you care about it? [Sketchnotes]
These are the sketchnotes that the very talented Antonella Scaravilli made at my neurodiversity workshop. Text description of the sketchnotes [images are described in squareContinue reading “What is neurodiversity and why should you care about it? [Sketchnotes]”
What is your neurotype?
Accessible text version The image is a diagram of a coffee cup, with ovals representing what can go in it. These are the levels fromContinue reading “What is your neurotype?”
10 stupidly easy things you can do to be accessible
Tips that are quick, easy and cheap. From a neurodiversity expert who has ADHD, autism and prosopagnosia (face blindness). You can download a bite-size versionContinue reading “10 stupidly easy things you can do to be accessible”
COVID-19 help round-up
As things are getting better – fingers crossed – I’ve moved my COVID-19 help round-up off my homepage to here on the blog. I’m stillContinue reading “COVID-19 help round-up”
Autistic? Here’s how you can help Black Lives Matter
If you’re autistic and white, you might want to get involved in Black Lives Matter but not really know how to. You might be afraidContinue reading “Autistic? Here’s how you can help Black Lives Matter”
3 things that have NOT helped my mental health
I wrote a post on what has genuinely helped my mental health. This post is on what HASN’T helped. So why is it here? 2Continue reading “3 things that have NOT helped my mental health”
5 things that genuinely help my mental health (and might help you too)
Over the years, I’ve tried tons of things for my mental health. Some worked, some didn’t. Here’s a list of the things that DID work,Continue reading “5 things that genuinely help my mental health (and might help you too)”
How to make your online event amazing (and accessible)
TL:DR version. Full version is here – 11 minute read. 1. Run through it first 2. Train yourself on the platform you’ll be using 3.Continue reading “How to make your online event amazing (and accessible)”
Hierarchy of needs: lockdown version
Accessible version: 1. Red layer (most important) Drink water, eat food, get some sleep, pay rent or mortgage, pay utilities, arrange payment holidays 2. YellowContinue reading “Hierarchy of needs: lockdown version”
How to work from home when you’ve got kids, ADHD, autism and a ****load of stuff to do
You’ve got the laundry on. You’ve made some coffee. You’ve sat down at your desk ready for the day and you’re all set. But thenContinue reading “How to work from home when you’ve got kids, ADHD, autism and a ****load of stuff to do”
Neurotypical spectrum disorder: a factsheet
Key facts 159 in 160 children have a neurotypical spectrum disorder (NSD). NSD is a condition characterised by being normal and behaving in an ordinaryContinue reading “Neurotypical spectrum disorder: a factsheet”
How I, an autistic with ADHD, am coping (and how you can too)
The thing about neurodiverse people is: sometimes we cope really really well with stuff. And other times we don’t. I personally cope with the practicalContinue reading “How I, an autistic with ADHD, am coping (and how you can too)”
How to work from home when you feel like you can’t
If you have to work from home and it’s not your choice, you might feel like you can’t do it. But you can! Here’s how.Continue reading “How to work from home when you feel like you can’t”
“The loneliness was the worst thing” – taking a listening course with ADHD
Howard asked us all what the first couple in the video had said. “The guy in the rugby shirt talked about how he doesn’t reallyContinue reading ““The loneliness was the worst thing” – taking a listening course with ADHD”
Eleven tips for public speaking
If you want to get into public speaking, or you want to improve your talks, here are ten tips to help you. 1. Get properContinue reading “Eleven tips for public speaking”
What I learnt from Led By Donkeys
Last night I went to a Q & A with the political campaign group Led By Donkeys [Twitter link, they don’t have a website]. TheyContinue reading “What I learnt from Led By Donkeys”
What is “Amish Time” and how can you implement it?
Did you know I’m descended from Mennonites? They are a similar community to the Amish, and live in the USA. Both communities are very religiousContinue reading “What is “Amish Time” and how can you implement it?”
How to prioritise everything you need to do
You’ve got a lot on, right? And you don’t know where to start. If you’re a regular reader (hi) you might have seen my postsContinue reading “How to prioritise everything you need to do”
Feeling powerless? Here’s what you can do now
Devasted. Depressed. Scared. Angry. These are the words I’ve been hearing from inside my middle-class, liberal bubble. The “depressed” one was actually my own, whichContinue reading “Feeling powerless? Here’s what you can do now”
How to actually help your mental friend
Lots of people claim to care about mental illness, but not everyone can or will do something about it. If you really want to helpContinue reading “How to actually help your mental friend”
My weekend at Barcamp: an honest review
I spent all of last weekend at Barcamp Manchester 9. Now, I know you might have a couple of questions. What is a Barcamp ManchesterContinue reading “My weekend at Barcamp: an honest review”
The Power of Change: learning to live as a “weirdo” [talk notes]
Here you can find all the sources and resources I used to prepare my talk, along with mental health help, and the list of peopleContinue reading “The Power of Change: learning to live as a “weirdo” [talk notes]”
What accessibility is and how you can be truly accessible
This is the talk I did for Upfront at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. You can find all the sources I cite, plus further reading,Continue reading “What accessibility is and how you can be truly accessible “
Upping your star chart game
I wrote a post on here about star charts. If you haven’t read it yet, go and read it now, I’ll wait. Finished? OK, great.Continue reading “Upping your star chart game”
What does self care really mean, and how do you practice it effectively?
Spoiler: it’s not all bubble baths I read so much about self care these days. Taking care of yourself is a good thing, but sometimesContinue reading “What does self care really mean, and how do you practice it effectively?”
What I learnt from Upfront Conf 2019 [guest post]
This is a post that Alice Bailey of ECOM Recruitment posted on LinkedIn. She has given me permission to repost it here. Thanks Alice! ECOMContinue reading “What I learnt from Upfront Conf 2019 [guest post]”
Hack your life workshop
I recently hosted a “Hack your life” workshop for Manchester Girl Geeks. We were at Bworks in Manchester City Centre, a nice co-working space. TheContinue reading “Hack your life workshop”
What is accessibility and how you can be truly accessible [talk notes]
If you are came to my talk on accessibility, thank you! Here are the sources I used in my talk, some further reading, and aContinue reading “What is accessibility and how you can be truly accessible [talk notes]”
A schedule is your secret weapon when it comes to making decisions
This is how my work day used to go. I would sit down and think about all the things I had to do. It wasContinue reading “A schedule is your secret weapon when it comes to making decisions”
People will make fun of you if you use this productivity tool
I have been using this particular productivity tool for years. It works really well for me. I’ve shown it to a few other people asContinue reading “People will make fun of you if you use this productivity tool”
What to do when you’re panicking
“When in danger or in doubt Run in circles, scream and shout.” Amusing, but not very helpful. I get anxious a lot and sometimes panic.Continue reading “What to do when you’re panicking”
This is why I don’t tell people I have ADHD
I was talking to some school mums in the playground today, and one of them said “I think I’ve got that ADD you know, IContinue reading “This is why I don’t tell people I have ADHD”
5 reasons to carry on running your business while having kids
The phrase “work-life balance” has always really annoyed me. It seems to be this mythical thing that you’re supposed to aim for but no-one reallyContinue reading “5 reasons to carry on running your business while having kids”
How a web app made me go bald
“You’ll be fine, she’s really good!” That’s what the owner of the hair salon told me about the new hairdresser they’d got to replace Daisy.Continue reading “How a web app made me go bald”
5 tips for managing your home when you feel like you can’t do anything
Managing your home when you’re busy, tired, mentally ill or have a disorder, can be difficult. But it’s not impossible! I use all kinds ofContinue reading “5 tips for managing your home when you feel like you can’t do anything”
Sparkle Class 