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Neurodiversity

Identifying and dealing with neurological conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and Personality Disorders

Neurodiversity

Identifying and dealing with neurological conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and Personality Disorders

Neurodiversity is a fascinating yet complex field that covers a wide range of neurological conditions such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), ADHD (Inattentive Attention Deficit Order) – this is the same condition without the hyperactivity part, Autism, Dyslexia, and borderline personality disorder. These are currently the main conditions associated with neurodiversity. Someone may have had one of these conditions their whole life and struggled to understand why they view life differently, express emotions differently, or react differently to certain situations.

I think it is fair to say there has been a marked increase in the number of people identifying as neurodivergent, from children to young adults, and also the older generation who have lived life thinking there was something wrong with them. Many people are emerging with the knowledge that nothing is wrong, just different. Thank goodness we have moved past this stigma often courted by shame, which can erode self-esteem and has kept many brilliant individuals in the shadows. Now we are embracing the uniqueness of neurodivergent individuals and slowly understanding the abundance of talents, creativity, and superpowers they bring to us from the neurodivergent perspective.

Identifying Neurodivergent condition

One of the reasons this recognition is becoming more common has been vastly influenced by social media. These platforms have opened up the lines of communication and brought us an abundance of information that has educated many about the conditions. It has also enabled people to build confidence to seek out assessment and diagnosis. Social media has helped enormously in promoting good mental health.  Another reason for this change is a greater development of the psychological screening processes and more accurate assessment tools. The medications have also improved from years of research and development by gifted scientists.

ADHD Inattentive

Often mistaken for a learning disability or hearing problem in children, ADHD Inattentive can also be perceived as being lazy or apathetic. However, ADHD Inattentive is often picked up in adolescents and adults when they attend counselling for anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or social anxiety which develops secondary to ADHD.

Undergoing an assessment can bring a sense of relief to individuals who had no idea that this condition was affecting their lives. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, understanding the condition can provide valuable insights into the behaviours associated with ADHD Inattentive. This newfound knowledge can develop hope for the future, helping individuals to develop strategies for managing their symptoms and improving their quality of life.

Below are a few broad areas that you may identify with or see in others:

Anger
Impulse control
Attention issues
Always looking for excitement
Issues with rejection sensitivity
Can’t relax and just be
Aggravating people by saying stuff before thinking
0-100 Emotional changes without warning
Addiction to anything that brings a high feeling.
Sensory issues

Male and Female counsellors available.

Less obvious due to lack of hyperactivity tends instead to be:

  • Daydreaming/ zoning out/spacey

  • Doesn’t listen to instructions
  • Misses important information
  • Loses things constantly
  • Forgets appointments
  • Can’t finish projects / organise tasks
  • No detail focus
  • Can often appear callous
  • Sensory issues with noisy surroundings and feelings
  • Highly sensitive to rejection/opinions of others

Autism…

  • Difficulties in getting on with people (aggravating people but not knowing why)

  • Social anxiety/social isolation

  • Boring other people with your interests but not realising

  • Odd social interaction style

  • Black and white no compromise type thinking that you just can’t shift

  • Being very rigid about moral rules

The Nightingale Approach to Neurodiversity

At the heart of our Neurodiversity service is our exceptional psychologist. Not only does she have extensive experience working with neurodiverse children and individuals, but she is also a couple counsellor and family therapist. With a unique insight into how neurodiversity can affect communication in couple and family relationships, she is well-equipped to provide comprehensive support.

In the first instance, our psychologist will offer an assessment process. This is comprehensive, examining the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional abilities of the individual. Once the assessment is complete, she will meet with you to discuss her findings. She can also provide a detailed written report, offering valuable insights and recommendations for moving forward.

After the assessment has taken place and a neurodivergent condition has been identified, some individuals may choose to learn how to manage their condition more effectively. This involves learning new ways of relating and implementing strategies to function better, which can lead to improving the quality of life and promoting acceptance and wellbeing. If this is the case, you will continue to work with the psychologist who has the findings and report, developing a personalised plan for managing your condition.

Our Neurodiversity Multidisciplinary Team

Some people may wish to have a full diagnosis after the assessment, which means they will be referred to a Neurodiversity multidisciplinary team. This team of specialists will officially diagnose the individual’s condition. They may recommend prescribed medication and can prescribe what is needed. Whatever decision is made, our Neurodiversity service is committed to supporting individuals every step of the way.

Our service aims to help people understand the neurological conditions that have impacted their lives. It’s a highly specialist service that guides individuals from assessment to full diagnosis.

Neurodivergent Children

Children may have been assessed with one of the above conditions and can benefit from working with our psychologist to learn how to deal with their condition. The work is delivered in a fun and engaging way, using art, thought records, and cool toys. Children respond well to one-to-one attention, and our psychologist is skilled at making the process enjoyable and informative.

Young adults from age 11 can also work well with one of our industry-trained counsellors. We offer a range of services to meet the needs of individuals with neurodivergent conditions, including counselling, therapy, and educational support. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible care and support to help individuals live their best lives.

Get in touch

For more information about our Neurodiversity service, please call Nightingale on 0141 353 9373 or fill out the contact form on our Contact page.

Neurodiversity is a fascinating yet complex field that covers a wide range of neurological conditions such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), ADHD (Inattentive Attention Deficit Order) – this is the same condition without the hyperactivity part, Autism, Dyslexia, and borderline personality disorder. These are currently the main conditions associated with neurodiversity. Someone may have had one of these conditions their whole life and struggled to understand why they view life differently, express emotions differently, or react differently to certain situations.

I think it is fair to say there has been a marked increase in the number of people identifying as neurodivergent, from children to young adults, and also the older generation who have lived life thinking there was something wrong with them. Many people are emerging with the knowledge that nothing is wrong, just different. Thank goodness we have moved past this stigma often courted by shame, which can erode self-esteem and has kept many brilliant individuals in the shadows. Now we are embracing the uniqueness of neurodivergent individuals and slowly understanding the abundance of talents, creativity, and superpowers they bring to us from the neurodivergent perspective.

Identifying Neurodivergent condition

One of the reasons this recognition is becoming more common has been vastly influenced by social media. These platforms have opened up the lines of communication and brought us an abundance of information that has educated many about the conditions. It has also enabled people to build confidence to seek out assessment and diagnosis. Social media has helped enormously in promoting good mental health.  Another reason for this change is a greater development of the psychological screening processes and more accurate assessment tools. The medications have also improved from years of research and development by gifted scientists.

ADHD Inattentive

Often mistaken for a learning disability or hearing problem in children, ADHD Inattentive can also be perceived as being lazy or apathetic. However, ADHD Inattentive is often picked up in adolescents and adults when they attend counselling for anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or social anxiety which develops secondary to ADHD.

Undergoing an assessment can bring a sense of relief to individuals who had no idea that this condition was affecting their lives. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, understanding the condition can provide valuable insights into the behaviours associated with ADHD Inattentive. This newfound knowledge can develop hope for the future, helping individuals to develop strategies for managing their symptoms and improving their quality of life.

Less obvious due to lack of hyperactivity tends instead to be:

  • Daydreaming/ zoning out/spacey

  • Doesn’t listen to instructions
  • Misses important information
  • Loses things constantly
  • Forgets appointments
  • Can’t finish projects / organise tasks
  • No detail focus
  • Can often appear callous
  • Sensory issues with noisy surroundings and feelings
  • Highly sensitive to rejection/opinions of others

Autism…

  • Difficulties in getting on with people (aggravating people but not knowing why)

  • Social anxiety/social isolation

  • Boring other people with your interests but not realising

  • Odd social interaction style

  • Black and white no compromise type thinking that you just can’t shift

  • Being very rigid about moral rules

The Nightingale Approach to Neurodiversity

At the heart of our Neurodiversity service is our exceptional psychologist. Not only does she have extensive experience working with neurodiverse children and individuals, but she is also a couple counsellor and family therapist. With a unique insight into how neurodiversity can affect communication in couple and family relationships, she is well-equipped to provide comprehensive support.

In the first instance, our psychologist will offer an assessment process. This is comprehensive, examining the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional abilities of the individual. Once the assessment is complete, she will meet with you to discuss her findings. She can also provide a detailed written report, offering valuable insights and recommendations for moving forward.

After the assessment has taken place and a neurodivergent condition has been identified, some individuals may choose to learn how to manage their condition more effectively. This involves learning new ways of relating and implementing strategies to function better, which can lead to improving the quality of life and promoting acceptance and wellbeing. If this is the case, you will continue to work with the psychologist who has the findings and report, developing a personalised plan for managing your condition.

Our Neurodiversity Multidisciplinary Team

Some people may wish to have a full diagnosis after the assessment, which means they will be referred to a Neurodiversity multidisciplinary team. This team of specialists will officially diagnose the individual’s condition. They may recommend prescribed medication and can prescribe what is needed. Whatever decision is made, our Neurodiversity service is committed to supporting individuals every step of the way.

Our service aims to help people understand the neurological conditions that have impacted their lives. It’s a highly specialist service that guides individuals from assessment to full diagnosis.

Neurodivergent Children

Children may have been assessed with one of the above conditions and can benefit from working with our psychologist to learn how to deal with their condition. The work is delivered in a fun and engaging way, using art, thought records, and cool toys. Children respond well to one-to-one attention, and our psychologist is skilled at making the process enjoyable and informative.

Young adults from age 11 can also work well with one of our industry-trained counsellors. We offer a range of services to meet the needs of individuals with neurodivergent conditions, including counselling, therapy, and educational support. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible care and support to help individuals live their best lives.

Get in touch

For more information about our Neurodiversity service, please call Nightingale on 0141 353 9373 or fill out the contact form on our Contact page.

Below are a few broad areas that you may identify with or see in others:

Anger
Impulse control
Attention issues
Always looking for excitement
Issues with rejection sensitivity
Can’t relax and just be
Aggravating people by saying stuff before thinking
0-100 Emotional changes without warning
Addiction to anything that brings a high feeling.
Sensory issues

Male and Female counsellors available.