Embracing ADHD: A Journey with Katie-Marie Lynch
In this episode of ADHD Goals, Laurence welcomes a special guest, Katie-Marie Lynch, a fellow ADHD coach trainee at ADHD Works. Katie-Marie shares her story, her experiences with ADHD, and her dedication to helping others navigate the often challenging ADHD journey.
Katie’s Busy Week and Tap Dancing
The conversation begins with Laurence asking about Katie’s recent eventful week. Katie excitedly recounts her involvement with a local dance school and her back-to-back performances in tap dancing. She describes tap dancing as a form of hyper-focus and auditory stimming using her feet, which she finds incredibly grounding. Laurence agrees, highlighting the importance of physical activities, such as team sports or dance, for managing ADHD symptoms. They both discuss the difficulty in maintaining long-term interest in exercise routines without external accountability, emphasising the benefits of community and teamwork.
Exercise and ADHD
Laurence and Katie delve deeper into the idea of exercise as a crucial element for managing ADHD. Katie recounts her temporary excitement for solo gym routines that quickly fade, unlike her long-lasting love for dancing. Laurence shares his consistent passion for football, further reiterating the importance of enjoying an activity and having accountability partners.
Katie’s ADHD Journey
Katie shares her diagnosis journey, revealing she was diagnosed in her mid-twenties. Despite recognizing her differences early on, it wasn’t until she worked as a specialty coach for teenagers with ADHD and autism that she seriously considered she might share their neurotype. After initial struggles with the healthcare system, Katie finally received a correct diagnosis and began medication. She expresses the relief and self-forgiveness that came with understanding her condition.
Challenges in Getting Diagnosed
The conversation then shifts to the difficulties many women face in getting diagnosed with ADHD. Katie and Laurence discuss the traditionally male-centric diagnostic criteria, which often overlook the internalised hyperactivity and restlessness that many women experience. Katie emphasises the importance of understanding how ADHD affects one’s feelings and internal processes, as opposed to just external behaviours.
Understanding ADHD Beyond Stereotypes
Katie highlights the need to move beyond the stereotypical image of ADHD as merely disruptive behaviour. She underscores the significant cognitive hyperactivity and relentless mental energy that characterises ADHD for many. Laurence resonates with this, sharing his own experiences of having multiple internal conversations simultaneously, a common ADHD trait.
Navigating Conversations with ADHD
Laurence humorously describes how his ADHD brain processes conversations, often leading to tangents and internal jokes that go unnoticed by others. Katie agrees, noting how easy it is to drift off during conversations, leading to moments of guilt and misunderstanding.
Coaching and Support for ADHD
Laurence asks Katie about her coaching philosophy. Katie emphasises her commitment to helping individuals build confidence by understanding and embracing their unique ADHD traits. She supports her clients in finding their strategies and methods for self-expression and productivity, understanding firsthand the importance of an ADHD-friendly coaching approach.
Access to Work: A Hidden Gem
Katie introduces the concept of “Access to Work,” a valuable but often unknown resource for employees with ADHD or other neurodivergent conditions. She explains how this scheme provides funding for necessary workplace adjustments, such as noise-cancelling headphones, standing desks, and even coaching. This support helps individuals remain productive and healthy in their work environments.
Glitter in the Gray: Embracing Neurodiversity
Katie discusses her brand, “Glitter in the Gray,” which symbolises embracing one’s unique qualities and standing out boldly. Inspired by a song from the musical “Jamie the Musical,” the brand encourages self-expression and confidence. Katie’s passion for “dopamine dressing,” or using colourful and quirky clothing to boost her mood, is a testament to living authentically and joyfully.
Dopamine Dressing and Self-Expression
Katie explains how dressing in a way that makes her happy and energised is a daily practice. She finds joy and confidence in wearing bright colours and vibrant patterns, a stark contrast to the more camouflaged approach she took in her younger years. Katie sees this as a powerful form of self-expression and self-care.
Encouragement for Job Seekers
Towards the end of their conversation, Laurence and Katie discuss the challenges of job hunting with ADHD. Katie, leveraging her background as an employment coach, emphasises the importance of understanding personal strengths and finding the right job fit. She encourages neurodivergent job seekers to trust the process and recognize their agency in choosing the right work environment.
Future Plans and Resources
Katie shares her upcoming plans, including creating a free course on Access to Work applications and participating in a webinar with the Young Women’s Trust. She continues to offer one-on-one coaching and support for job seekers, helping them navigate the often daunting application process.
Conclusion and Farewell
Laurence wraps up the episode by thanking Katie-Marie for sharing her journey and insights. He encourages listeners to visit Katie’s glitter-filled website for resources and to connect with her for personalised coaching. He also reminds listeners to subscribe, share the podcast, and get in touch if they need coaching support for managing their ADHD.
Outro
Laurence invites listeners to follow him on social media and contact him for coaching inquiries. He signs off, promising more valuable content in future episodes.
Katie-Marie Lynch’s vibrant journey through ADHD and her commitment to helping others shine brightly in their neurodivergent uniqueness is truly inspiring. Her relatable anecdotes and invaluable insights offer hope and practical advice for anyone navigating life with ADHD. For more resources and support, be sure to check out her website and connect with her community.
Links
Glitter in The Grey Website: https://glitterinthegrey.org/
Timeline
- 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest
- 00:48 Katie’s Busy Week and Tap Dancing
- 01:30 Exercise and ADHD
- 04:58 Katie’s ADHD Journey
- 06:57 Challenges in Getting Diagnosed
- 18:47 The Right to Choose Pathway
- 25:34 Challenges in ADHD Diagnosis for Females
- 27:34 Understanding ADHD Beyond Stereotypes
- 28:02 Internalised Hyperactivity and Diagnostic Criteria
- 28:41 Personal Experiences with ADHD
- 29:30 Navigating Conversations with ADHD
- 32:27 Coaching and Support for ADHD
- 35:19 Access to Work: A Hidden Gem
- 39:18 Glitter in the Gray: Embracing Neurodiversity
- 40:29 Dopamine Dressing and Self-Expression
- 44:11 Future Plans and Resources
- 46:02 Encouragement for Job Seekers
- 52:23 Conclusion and Farewell
- 53:04 Outro to the ADHD Goals Podcast
Need Help with your ADHD?
Visit my website: https://adhdgoals.co/
Want me to be your ADHD Coach?