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The nervous system can register social rejection as physical pain, activating a threat response that often leads to avoidance . Introduction If you’re neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, both, Gifted, HSP, etc.), you may often feel that rejection, criticism or feeling like you "don't fit in anywhere" lands much harder than it seems to for others. What looks like “over-reacting” may actually be your nervous system registering a threat, switching to a mode of "unsafe" and trying to

When the world feels unbearably loud, unjust, or unkind, your sensitivity isn’t the problem — it’s part of what might help heal it. Feeling overstimulated, outraged, or hopeless in today’s unkind, uncertain world? Learn how neurodivergent people can navigate the greater risk for "existential depression," soothe nervous-system overwhelm, and rediscover meaning and hope in turbulent times. “Your sensitivity is not the problem. It’s the proof that you are awake.” The World Is He

And I still hold out hope that mine is not a minority view in this nation. That the loud voices of the extremes, and those caught in spirals of fear and hate, do not actually represent the majority of Americans. I believe—deep down—that most people would find far more joy living in a kinder, more empathetic, more creative country than continuing down the dangerous path that hate has taken us.

Seeing what should have been visible all along by Suzanne Fischer Comelo, JD, LMFT, Neurodivergent Coach For years in my clinical work, I...

Burnout is often described as a state of emotional exhaustion, but for neurodivergent people—especially those who are autistic, ADHD, or both (AuDHD)—burnout is also deeply physical. The nervous system becomes overloaded by persistent masking, sensory overwhelm, and chronic stress without enough recovery time. While strategies like deep rest and recharge, improved boundaries, and regular sensory regulation are essential, there is another underutilized tool worth exploring— aw

For many women, midlife is already a season of transition. But for those who are autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent, it often becomes a time when everything shifts — sometimes in surprising and challenging ways. Here are a few things that make this experience unique: ✨ Masking stops working. Years of pushing through, people-pleasing, and over-functioning start to unravel. The strategies that once “worked” suddenly no longer feel sustainable. ✨ Hormonal changes shift

Raindrops on a window—reflecting the seasonal change our bodies notice first. As autumn shortens the days and the sun slips away earlier, neurodivergent people often sense the change long before winter is official. Our bodies register the shift even when our minds are still catching up. Nervous systems shift. Moods shift. Executive functioning shifts. For some of us, the earlier sunset isn’t just “annoying” or “inconvenient.” It’s biological. It’s neurological. And it’s often

Sometimes, hope shows up in the most ordinary places. “If we want a better country, we have to start by being better to each other.” I don’t think that’s naïve. And I don’t think I’m the only one who still believes it. I think many of us are simply the quieter voices — the ones who go about our days holding doors for strangers, saying hello whether we know someone or not, and offering a smile just because it feels good to brighten another person’s moment. The truth is, as a d

A worn backpack sits on the pavement, capturing a moment of pause for a neurodivergent teen feeling overwhelmed. Have you noticed how many high school students are basically working two full-time jobs by the time they graduate? While some areas of the U.S. are better than others, for those overworking our kids and teens, the numbers are terrifying. Between early mornings, full schedules, piles of homework, extracurriculars, tutoring, as well as family, societal, academic and

When we talk about workplace inclusion, neurodivergence is often overlooked. Yet research shows that 15–20% of the global population is neurodivergent  (Doyle, 2020). That means in nearly every team, there are employees whose brains process, sense, and interact differently — including people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and more. Neurodivergence is not a flaw. It is part of the natural diversity of the human species. In fact, these differences have been conserved t

A neurodivergent adult with hand on heart to anchor themselves and regulate their nervous system. For many neurodivergent people, nervous system overstimulation is a familiar experience. Whether it’s sensory overload, emotional flooding, or rejection sensitivity distress, the impact can often feel cumulative — leading to exhaustion, shutdown, or burnout. The good news? We can learn to work with our nervous system, instead of pushing against it. Polyvagal theory — which explo

Are you or a loved one neurodivergent and in need of support and guidance in some aspect of your academic and/or professional life? Look...

Have you ever felt like you needed a little extra support in navigating life’s challenges? Whether it’s at school, work, or in daily...

Living with a neurodivergent brain and nervous system often means navigating unique ways of processing and engaging with the world. Daily...