I welcome neurodivergent clients

I understand neurodiversity as being about the natural variation in how human brains and physiology are wired and how we experience the world. Neurodivergence refers to internal neurological and physiological differences that shape how we process information, respond and react through our senses, and navigate our environments. This includes autism, ADHD, giftedness and other forms of cognitive and sensory difference.

Neurodivergence can be disabling

These internal differences can be disabling—not because of inherent deficits, but because society and our environments are often designed without our needs in mind. Neurodivergent people may face barriers through sensory overwhelm, executive function challenges in rigid systems, social expectations that don't align with how we communicate, or educational and workplace structures that penalise different ways of thinking and learning. The disability emerges from this mismatch between our neurology and physiology and the way the world is.

It’s all about difference

Yet neurodivergence also brings distinct ways of experiencing and engaging with the world that hold genuine value. Different neurological and physiological wiring means different strengths, perspectives, and contributions—intense focus, creative thinking, deep pattern recognition, rich sensory experiences, or passionate engagement with ideas. These aren't simply "positives" to balance against "negatives," but intrinsic aspects of human diversity that enrich our collective experience.

Giftedness

Giftedness can be a challenging thing to identify about ourselves. It can sound like a boast or a statement of superiority. While having a much higher than average IQ can be an indicator of intellectual giftedness, giftedness itself is not about superiority. It’s not about what we achieve or what we are good at or successful at, but about internal variables. It very often comes along with emotional sensitivities and challenges that are not well understood in society.

Jennifer Harvey Sallin of InterGifted has developed a holistic model recognising five forms of giftedness that can combine in unique ways for each individual:

  • Intellectual: Advanced reasoning, rapid learning, complex thinking and problem-solving.

  • Creative: Rich imagination, innovative thinking, and seeing novel connections.

  • Emotional: Deep emotional intensity, empathy, and capacity for profound connection.

  • Sensual: Heightened sensory awareness and intense aesthetic experiences.

  • Existential/Physical: Deep questioning about meaning and existence, along with physical intensity.

These forms of giftedness interact with overexcitabilities to create each person's unique gifted profile. (Learn more at intergifted.com)

Overexcitabilities

Giftedness, autism, ADHD and other neurodivergent differences are often characterised by 'overexcitabilities' as described by psychologist Dabrowski—heightened intensities in how we process and respond to stimuli across five domains:

  • Psychomotor: Surplus of physical energy, restlessness, rapid speech, intense physical expression of emotion, or a need for movement.

  • Sensual: Heightened experience through the senses—intense pleasure or discomfort from sights, sounds, textures, tastes, or smells.

  • Intellectual: Deep curiosity, love of problem-solving, theoretical thinking, asking probing questions, and intense desire to understand and learn.

  • Imaginational: Rich imagination, vivid dreams, metaphorical thinking, creative visualization, and elaborate fantasy worlds.

  • Emotional: Intense feelings, strong emotional responses, deep empathy, complex emotions, strong attachments, and profound concern for others and moral issues.

These overexcitabilities mean experiencing life with particular depth and intensity. They shape both challenges and strengths—they can lead to overwhelm in environments not designed for intense experiencing, yet they also enable profound connection to ideas, creativity, sensory richness, and emotional depth.

Executive function

Executive function is the set of mental processes that help us plan, organise, manage time, handle our emotions, and get things done. This includes skills like working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. Many neurodivergent people, including those with ADHD, autism, and giftedness, have executive function differences. These might show up as struggles with starting tasks, switching between activities, managing multiple steps, or regulating emotional responses—not because we lack ability or motivation, but because our brains process and prioritise information differently. Understanding our executive function differences helps us find strategies that work with our neurology rather than against it.

Neurodivergence and me

I identify as both neurodivergent and gifted. This is sometimes termed ‘twice-exceptional’ or 2E. Whilst not diagnosed with ADHD, since I only came to this understanding in later life, I have traits that point to being an ADHDer and my giftedness manifests in various ways. These differences are simply part of who I am—influencing how I think, create, and engage with the world around me.