AuDHD Joy coaching and consulting
Welcome! AuDHD Joy empowers individuals and organisations to harness neurodivergent potential by connecting AuDHDers to what brings them joy.
Studies show that neurodivergent people experience unique kinds of joy.
Autistics and ADHDers are often branded as "difficult"
AuDHDers (people who identify as both autistic and ADHD) struggle with being “walking contradictions”, burning ourselves out trying to mould ourselves to a world not designed for us.
It can feel that our lot is to suffer and fail, but it doesn’t have to be that way. AuDHD joy is the key to this.
Think the delight of a special interest, the dopamine spike of a new hobby. The thrill of creative problem-solving. The empathic fulfilment of giving to others. When we step back from the neurotypical view of happiness, another way is revealed.
AuDHD Joy embraces the positive neurodivergence narrative
Run by Heledd (Hel) Straker, AuDHD Joy is founded on the idea that when AuDHDers are connected to what gives us joy, we - and those around us - thrive.
Hel is an AuDHDer with a 15+ year career in HR and a background in occupational psychology.
This uniquely places her to help neurodivergent individuals and their employers find credible yet creative solutions that tap into and harness AuDHD joy and potential.
Are you ready to embark on your AuDHD journey?
AuDHDers
We deserve happiness and success because of who we are, not despite who we are. Experience more AuDHD joy today with neuroaffirming coaching and mentoring.
Employers
Neurodivergence can be a competitive advantage, not a risk to be managed. Harness neurodivergent potential today with neuroinclusion consulting.
FAQs
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AuDHD is a portmanteau of autism and ADHD. It is currently estimated that up to 70% of autistics are also ADHD, while around 20-50% of ADHDers are also autistic.
AuDHD is often described as a ‘conflict’ of autism and ADHD. We seek novelty AND predictability; we are social AND solitary; we target AND miss detail. But we are no more walking contradictions than anyone else. It’s just there isn’t currently enough research into AuDHD as a cohesive neurotype.
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AuDHD Joy comes from the well-known term “autistic joy”, which refers to the intense happiness that autistic people feel when engaged with what brings them joy.
AuDHD joy certainly includes access to special interests and hyperfixations, but it is far bigger than that. Being in sensory-safe environments settles our nervous systems, bringing on feelings of calm and contentment. Having our ideas listened to and information processing style respected fosters feelings of self-worth and fulfilment. Finding and building relationships with those like us boosts feelings of belonging and connection.
All of this is joy or creates the context for joy to be nurtured.
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Neurodiversity - the natural variation in information processing styles that occurs in all humans. We are all neurodiverse.
Neurodivergence - those whose brains are wired differently from the socially accepted norm and are often marginalised because of it.
Neuronormativity - societal structures that have been built with neurotypical people in mind, resulting in the exclusion and disablement of neurodivergent people.
Reasonable adjustments - a legal term in The Equality Act (2010) that refers to accommodations that an employer is legally obliged to make for employees who are disabled.
The Equality Act (2010) - a UK employment law that protects disabled people from discrimination. Neurodivergent people count as disabled and you don’t have to be diagnosed to be protected.