ADHDifference

Julie Legg chats with Ashley Cairns, CEO and director of A Change for Better. They discuss the ACFB Fund – the charitable side of the organisation, mental health services, subsidised ADHD online assessments, and how the organisation is expanding to provide a wrap-around service.
They chat about how ACFB have worked to create comprehensive ADHD assessment model that can be delivered within very low wait times, reaching those households struggling financially, and rural New Zealanders, to seek assessment with a psychologist.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The ACFB team and how the organisation came to be.
• Funding criteria for assessment subsidisation and other ADHD-friendly payment options available.
• Their ADHD online assessment process and questionnaire model.
• Wait times of approx. 6-8 weeks (currently).
• Offering psychologist services (not psychiatrist services, therefore no direct access to ADHD medication).
• Difference between educational, general, and clinical psychologists.
• Future plans for counselling services and wrap-around services for clients.

Key takeaways:

• The ACFB Fund’s ADHD assessment model is 100% online through a series of comprehensive questionnaires and one-on-one online assessment with a psychologist (via the likes of Meet or Zoom).
• The ACFB Fund’s subsidy is available for those individuals who meet specific criteria (such as household income) throughout New Zealand. A 50% fee is payable before commencing the assessment and there is a range of flexible payment options available.
• In 2025 the ACDB Fund hopes to offer a range of mental health services including counselling and neurodiversity coaching.
• A psychologist is not able to prescribe ADHD medication directly which is important to remember when seeking an assessment. Canterbury is unique however (at the time of writing), as the pathway to acquiring a Special Authority Number to access ADHD medication differs to the rest of New Zealand.

Links:

Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024)
A Change for Better Organisation

A Change for Better Fund

Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you if you have inspiring ADHD experience/journey you'd like to share. We are looking for strategies that work for you, uplifting stories of overcoming adversity, or celebrating success.
Did you find this podcast helpful? Please subscribe if you'd like to hear more, or share with friends/family if you think there's a topic that may provide some insight. Our mission is to keep the ADHD conversation flowing and s

Thanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss the link between ADHD and hypersensitivity – not necessarily a trait, but a common attribute for people with ADHD.
They chat about each of their senses, the weird and wonderful extremes they experience. From datum lines to aesthetics, bass drums and distant conversations, scratchy clothing labels to repetitive touch, Christmas shopping to confrontation. They ponder criticism, expected outcomes, adverse reactions to not feeling in control of self, empathy, negative people and energy levels – to name a few.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• HSP, a highly sensitive person.
• Line of focus, peripheral vision, and datum lines.
• Acutely sensitive to a range of noise frequencies and pitches, and unexpected loud noises
• Taste, smell and memory links.
• Sensory overload to texture - difficulty swallowing medication, clothing labels, certain fabrics ... or being repetitively touched by another person.
• Being highly sensitive to criticism or confrontation (actual or perceived), body language, and others’ energy.

Key takeaways:

• While we all have a given set of ears, eyes and nervous system that reacts the same, it is how ADHD brains process those sensory signals that makes us more hypersensitive in many instances.
• Hypersensitivity is not a clinical ADHD trait in accordance with the DSM, however it is a common attribute that is experienced by many people with ADHD.
• Some ADHD brain reactions to ‘seemingly normal’ everyday sights, sounds, tastes, textures and smells may appear very irrational to neurotypicals: “Oh they get so upset over the littlest of things."
• Every individual is different, as with every ADHD brain in so far as some may, or may not, experience these hypersensitive occurrences.

Links:

Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024).

Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you if you have inspiring ADHD experience/journey you'd like to share. We are looking for strategies that work for you, uplifting stories of overcoming adversity, or celebrating success.

Did you find this podcast helpful? Please subscribe if you'd like to hear more, or share with friends/family if you think there's a topic that may provide some insight. Our mission is to keep the ADHD conversation flowing and support each other.

Thanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss the link between ADHD and creativity – a mighty strength for many individuals with ADHD. They ponder what creativity is - from the arts, to communication, storytelling, and non-linear thinking.
From hobbies, to careers, to household chores, creative thinking can be applied in every waking hour - even mowing the lawns! They chat about the links between creativity and dopamine, imposter syndrome, burnout and brilliance. They dissect their childhood and reflect on their present where creativity is very much alive and well.
Topics discussed in this episode:

• Delving into what it means to be creative.
• How dopamine plays a part in boosting our joy in creative fields.
• Creativity, self-criticism, and imposter syndrome when comparing ourselves to others.
• Looking back at our younger selves to find where creative traits were very evident.
• Music, art, dance, crafts, DIY, photography, systems and processes, cooking, gardening, alternative thinking.

Key takeaways:

• Creativity is more than just ‘the creative arts’. It includes creative thinking and problem solving too which can be applied to pretty much every, every minute of the day.
• Even mundane tasks can become quite interesting by applying a creative approach.
• Hyperfocusing on a creative hobby or project, while fun, can also lead to burnout or self-combustion, without life balance.
• Perfectionism towards our creative endeavours can lead to dismissing our unique talents – be aware: creativity need not be a competition.
• Creativity is a personal expression, much like storytelling.

Links:

Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024).

Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you if you have inspiring ADHD experience/journey you'd like to share. We are looking for strategies that work for you, uplifting stories of overcoming adversity, or celebrating success.

Did you find this podcast helpful? Please subscribe if you'd like to hear more, or share with friends/family if you think there's a topic that may provide some insight. Our mission is to keep the ADHD conversation flowing and support each other.

Thanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.

In this episode Julie Legg interviews guest Leonie-Ruth Acland (aged 68, NSW) who identifies with ADHD but is not formally diagnosed. They chat about how this came about, feelings of ‘deficit’ as a child, and the inspirational women she has met on her ADHD journey.

Ruth shares personal stories of her time in Java and Tanzania as a young mother, her association with the UN, her strength, emotional intelligence, and helping others to flourish. Ruth talks about self-compassion, the daily routines that keeps her grounded as an older adult with ADHD, ageism, her love of nature, and the importance of one’s personal growth.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Decision-making regarding seeking a formal diagnosis vs identifying with ADHD and being content with an informal diagnosis.
• Considerations around ADHD medication for older adults.
• Growing up as a child feeling a sense of deficit, undiagnosed.
• ADHD being genetically linked.
• Parenting and living overseas, undiagnosed – Java and Tanzania.
• Experience working in association with the United Nations.
• Ageism.
• Personal growth.

Key takeaways:

• If you identify with ADHD traits, and it makes a positive difference to your life with regards to self-compassion, understanding without the need to seek medication, a formal diagnosis may not be considered essential for some.
• If ADHD stimulant medication is not available for health reasons, other treatments, such as strategies and management tools may help.
• Taking time for self-care, daily routines and personal growth helps the ADHD brain feel grounded.
• Our personal strength, empathy and our drive can help ourselves and others flourish.
• The more we can understand and know ourselves, the more real we show up in the world.

Links:

ADHD Women Explore The Neuroverse Podcast

Flourishing Education Podcast

Ruth Acland, Tanglewood

Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024).

Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you if you have inspiring ADHD experience/journey you'd like to share. We are looking for strategies that work for you, uplifting stories of overcoming adversity, or celebrating success.

Did you find this podcast helpful? Please subscribe if you'd like to hear more, or share with friends/family if you think there's a topic that may provide some insight. Our mission is to keep the ADHD conversation flowing and support each other.

Thanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.

Julie Legg and Jel Legg chat about ADHD Awareness Month – a worldwide campaign throughout October, and in its 20th year, driving home this year’s theme is ‘Awareness is Key’.
They discuss common misconceptions, acknowledging the differences between ADHD individuals, raising awareness directly and indirectly through conversation.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 20th anniversary of ADHD Awareness Month.
• Misconceptions and complexities of ADHD.
• Sharing, or not sharing, an ADHD diagnosis with friends, family and work colleagues.
• Labels, advocacy, ableists, and normalising ADHD.

Key takeaways:

• While ADHD may be in the news, or frequently in social media posts, ADHD is a complex disorder and there is more to understand that merely a list of common traits or a 10-second sound bite. Raising awareness is key to understanding and supporting loved ones, and helping them live their best lives.
• Sharing the news of an ADHD diagnosis is a very personal thing. While it can be helpful to gain a better understanding from others, however sadly it can have negative consequences too.
• Individuals with ADHD may share common traits however their personal experiences and how each trait may manifest may be very different. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all ADHD, nor how the disorder may ‘show up’ in their lives.

Links:

• Julie is the author of THE MISSING PIECE: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD (Harper Collins, 2024)
• ADHD New Zealand

Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you if you have inspiring ADHD experience/journey you'd like to share. We are looking for strategies that work for you, uplifting stories of overcoming adversity, or celebrating success.
Did you find this podcast helpful? Please subscribe if you'd like to hear more, or share with friends/family if you think there's a topic that may provide some insight. Our mission is to keep the ADHD conversation flowing and support each other.

Thanks for listening. Visit ADHDifference.nz to find video links or to say hello.