The AuDHD Psych Podcast

HowearthPsychology
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Clinical psychologist, PhD student and AuDHDer, Aaron Howearth chats about Autism, ADHD and their combination in humans, framed within their lived experience, their work in clinical psychology, and the neurodiversity-affirming paradigm. Where Your Support Goes The AuDHD Psych Podcast is part of a longer-term plan to fund and undertake independent research into early intervention programs for neurodivergent children. Our goal is to eliminate the experience of deficit and disorder by helping neurodivergent children grow to be adults understand their own characteristics simply as differences and choose “good-fit” environments that align with their goals. 

Episodes

  1. Ep 6: NYE Special: The Quiet Between Years: Reflecting, Resetting & Reimagining

    JAN 1

    Ep 6: NYE Special: The Quiet Between Years: Reflecting, Resetting & Reimagining

    Send us a text “The new year doesn’t need to fix you — you were already doing your best.” In this reflective New Year’s themed episode of AuDHD Psych, Aaron and Uma explore the quiet space between years — a time often filled with pressure to reset, improve, and reinvent. Through a neurodivergent lens, they unpack why traditional New Year’s resolutions can feel overwhelming or harmful for autistic and ADHD people, and why slow, values-aligned change is often more sustainable. The conversation reframes growth as internal, incremental, and deeply personal, highlighting quiet wins, self-compassion, and progress that doesn’t need to be visible or performative. Rather than chasing arbitrary milestones, this episode invites listeners to honour what worked, question unhelpful beliefs, and move into the new year with curiosity instead of self-criticism. Takeaways The New Year can amplify unrealistic expectations, self-judgment, and pressure to change overnightTraditional resolutions often clash with neurodivergent brains that value sustainability, flexibility, and meaningSmall, quiet changes can have a bigger impact than dramatic overhaulsReflecting on what worked is just as important as identifying what didn’tThemes and values can be more supportive than rigid goals or timelinesProgress is not linear, and planning for disruption reduces shame and burnoutSelf-compassion and relationship with self underpin all other goals  Growth can be internal, subtle, and still deeply validKeywords  AuDHD, neurodivergence, New Year mental health, autistic and ADHD goals, self-compassion, internal growth, quiet progress, neurodivergent goal setting, burnout prevention, reflective practice, New Year pressure, sustainable change Support the show Keywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

    26 min
  2. Ep 5: Neurospicy Holidays: Comfort, Chaos & Connection

    12/25/2025

    Ep 5: Neurospicy Holidays: Comfort, Chaos & Connection

    Send us a text “The absence of a reminder doesn’t mean the love isn’t there.”  In this festive episode of AuDHD Psych, Aaron and Uma explore how the holiday season can uniquely impact neurodivergent folk. While celebrations are often framed as joyful and meaningful, they can also bring sensory overload, disrupted routines, social pressure, emotional fatigue, and heightened expectations. Drawing on lived experience and clinical insight, the conversation unpacks masking, burnout, gift-giving stress, overthinking, and the delicate balance between connection and self-preservation. This episode offers permission to slow down, take breaks, set boundaries, and approach the holidays in a way that honours individual needs — reminding listeners that there is no single “right” way to celebrate. Takeaways Disrupted routines and heightened sensory input during holidays can significantly increase stress for autistic and ADHD individualsOvercommitting socially often leads to burnout, even when connection is genuinely wantedTaking breaks — physical, emotional, or relational — is protective, not rudeMasking can serve a purpose, but conscious, consent-based masking and selective unmasking reduce long-term stressGift-giving and emotional reciprocity can be complicated by differences in communication, expectations, and interpretationThe absence of contact or follow-up is often a reflection of overwhelm, not a lack of careBoundaries, energy awareness, and self-compassion matter more than meeting social idealsKeywords AuDHD, neurodivergence, holidays and mental health, autistic burnout, ADHD emotional regulation, masking and unmasking, sensory overload, social fatigue, boundaries, perfectionism, Christmas stress, neurodivergent wellbeing Support the show Keywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

    26 min
  3. Ep 4: Understanding AuDHD: Traits, Truths, & Lived Experience

    12/24/2025

    Ep 4: Understanding AuDHD: Traits, Truths, & Lived Experience

    Send us a text 🎙 Episode 4: Understanding AuDHD: Traits, Truths, & Lived Experience  “When I’m told I’m lazy or unmotivated, I start to believe it — and that belief becomes part of who I think I am.” In this episode of AuDHD Psych, Aaron and Uma explore what AuDHD can look like beyond stereotypes and diagnostic labels. Aaron shares his lived experience as an AuDHD clinical psychologist, unpacking why ADHD and autism were historically seen as mutually exclusive, how this has shaped diagnostic practices, and why many people have had parts of their neurodivergence misunderstood, minimised, or overlooked. The conversation examines co-occurrence, diagnostic bias, categorical versus dimensional thinking, and the importance of self-understanding — whether through formal diagnosis or self-identification — as a foundation for meaningful, affirming support. Takeaways: - ADHD and autism frequently co-occur, even though they were historically excluded from being diagnosed together - AuDHD presentations can mask or complicate how characteristics are recognised and supported - Diagnostic systems often miss nuance, particularly when relying on rigid, categorical frameworks - Understanding both strengths and difficulties leads to more effective and affirming support - Identity, diagnosis, and self-identification should be guided by individual goals and needs Keywords: AuDHD, ADHD and autism, neurodivergence, co-occurring diagnoses, self-identification, diagnostic bias, lived experience, neurodiversity-affirming practice, mental health stigma, clinical psychology, ADHD awareness, Lived Experience Support the show Keywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

    25 min
  4. Ep 3: Understanding ADHD: Traits, Truths, & Lived Experience

    12/10/2025

    Ep 3: Understanding ADHD: Traits, Truths, & Lived Experience

    Send us a text 🎙Episode 3: Understanding ADHD: Traits, Truths & Lived Experience “You’re not inherently broken. Your characteristics aren’t disordered — they just don’t always match what the environment demands.” Summary: In this episode, Aaron  takes a deep dive into ADHD through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. He explores what ADHD actually looks like in daily life, why inattentive and internalizing ADHD is so often misunderstood, and how early labels like “lazy” or “unmotivated” shape lifelong beliefs. Aaron unpacks myths, stereotypes, gendered expectations, cultural influences, and the difference between ADHD traits and ADHD disorder. Blending clinical insight with personal stories, he shows how impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity can create both challenges and unique strengths — depending entirely on the environment that surrounds them. Takeaways: - ADHD is defined clinically by impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, but lived experience goes far beyond these criteria. - Internalizing ADHD (common in women and quieter kids) often shows up as daydreaming, anxiety, stress, and masking — not disruptive behaviour. - Early messages like “lazy” or “not trying hard enough” become internalized beliefs that shape self-worth.  - ADHD traits are not inherently disordered — difficulty appears when the environment demands something mismatched to the person’s natural wiring. - Culture and gender expectations influence how ADHD is expressed and who gets diagnosed. - Social stereotypes and TikTok trends capture tiny fragments of ADHD but often romanticize or oversimplify it. - Impulsivity and inattention can lead to challenges (like overspending) and strengths (like creativity, hyperfocus, career pivots). - Neurodiversity-affirming practice reframes ADHD as a difference, not a defect. - The right environment can turn traits that look “disordered” in one context into superpowers in another. - You are not broken — you simply have a brain that works differently from the societal default. Keywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

    20 min
  5. Ep 2: Understanding Autism: Traits, Truths & Lived Experience

    11/25/2025

    Ep 2: Understanding Autism: Traits, Truths & Lived Experience

    Send us a text 🎙 Episode 2: Understanding Autism: Traits, Truths, and Lived Experience "When viewed through the lens of difference, rather than disorder, we often find that it's expectations that warrant changing, not humans." Summary: In this episode of the AuDHD Psych podcast, Aaron Howearth, a clinical psychologist, discusses the diagnosis of autism, its characteristics, and some of the lived experiences of some on the spectrum. The conversation delves into sensory overload, the impact of masking and unmasking, and the phenomenon of autistic burnout. Aaron shares personal insights on communication challenges and reframes neurodivergent strengths, emphasizing that autism is a unique way of being rather than a deficit. Takeaways: - Autism is diagnosed based on social communication differences and restricted patterns of behavior. - Neurodivergent individuals may communicate in a "different dialect" leading to social disconnects. - Sensory overload can be overwhelming, especially in busy environments. - Masking is a common behavior among autistic individuals to fit in socially. - Unmasking can be a liberating experience but is not easy for everyone. - Autistic burnout can manifest as chronic fatigue and withdrawal from social situations. - Scripting can help autistic individuals navigate social interactions more comfortably. - Neurodivergent strengths, such as detail orientation, can be valuable in various contexts. - Distractibility can lead to creativity and beauty in art and life. - Autism should be viewed as a way of being, not a deficit. Keywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

    28 min
  6. Ep 1: Why We’re Here: Starting the AuDHD Conversation

    10/31/2025

    Ep 1: Why We’re Here: Starting the AuDHD Conversation

    Send us a text When viewed through the lens of difference, rather than disorder, we often find that it's expectations that warrant changing, not humans. 🎙️ Episode 1: Understanding AuDHD — The Intersection of Autism and ADHD | The AuDHD Psych Podcast Episode Summary Welcome to the first episode of The AuDHD Psych Podcast — hosted by Aaron Howearth, a clinical psychologist, queer, non-binary, and proudly neurodivergent (AuDHD) individual (the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD). In this powerful introductory episode, Aaron explores what it means to live, work, and thrive as an AuDHD person — blending clinical psychology, lived experience, and the neurodiversity-affirming paradigm. Aaron dives into why understanding AuDHD is vital for both clinicians and the neurodivergent community. Aaron shares their personal and professional journey — from 23 years in the Royal Navy to founding Howearth Psychology, a therapeutic space serving neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities. With honesty and humour, Aaron reflects on how their unique perspective helps bridge the gap between traditional clinical psychology and the affirming lens that celebrates difference rather than pathologising it. Key Themes & Takeaways What is AuDHD? — Understanding how autism and ADHD can coexist, despite past diagnostic misconceptions.The “Unhelpful Expressions” Concept — Why neurodivergent traits aren’t inherently disordered, but can express in ways that either help or hinder our goals.Diagnosis Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens — How psychological assessment can empower rather than label.Living Authentically — Aaron’s journey through gender identity, neurodivergence, and finding meaning in community service.Changing Clinical Perspectives — Encouraging fellow psychologists to view neurodivergence through strength-based, person-centred practice.Engaging With The Podcast — Listeners are invited to interact, question, and shape future discussions — from diagnostic frameworks to lived experiences of being AuDHD.Keywords: AuDHD podcast, autism and ADHD, neurodivergent psychologist, neurodiversity affirming, Howearth Psychology, queer psychologist, autism diagnosis, ADHD awareness, lived experience, neurodivergent mental health, clinical psychology podcast

    16 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Clinical psychologist, PhD student and AuDHDer, Aaron Howearth chats about Autism, ADHD and their combination in humans, framed within their lived experience, their work in clinical psychology, and the neurodiversity-affirming paradigm. Where Your Support Goes The AuDHD Psych Podcast is part of a longer-term plan to fund and undertake independent research into early intervention programs for neurodivergent children. Our goal is to eliminate the experience of deficit and disorder by helping neurodivergent children grow to be adults understand their own characteristics simply as differences and choose “good-fit” environments that align with their goals. 

Information

  • Creator
    HowearthPsychology
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The AuDHD Psych Podcast
  • Show Website
    The AuDHD Psych Podcast

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