Dyslexia is much more than having difficulty with spelling and reading. Dyslexia leaves kids behind, and this impacts on friendships, peer groups, status and confidence, leading to the child feeling like a failure.

Andy shares his life experiences of being diagnosed dyslexic at school aged five, to coming out of university with not one, but two Masters degrees!

Andy's sheer determination got him results. Now he helps others as a Psychologist and Business Coach to ensure other neurodivergent people get all the support they need to build for success.

Find out more and connect with Andy:

andy@reddycoaching.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyreddy/

Ric Clarke shares his journey of being diagnosed first as ADHD, then last year as autistic (and with probable dyspraxia thrown in!)

We talk about his love of running, being both left and right handed and the expectations of needing to do well as his siblings at school, and working hard, but not reaching the expected goals.

Ric found his talent in data and Anaplan modelling within the building industry, where he also advocates for neurodivergent people in the workplace, showing that we all have so much to give. He is interested in inclusion and working together to make an equal society, while working with skills and challenges and supporting mental health.

Ric is also a welfare officer at his running club, has an interest in supplements to boost executive function and gut health, has joined the Lived Experience Panel in Scotland, and is working towards getting a Commissioner within government.

Find out more about Ric and connect with him:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/riccymiccy

Cora Burke has had many challenges in her life as a surviving twin born with epilepsy, who experienced tough early years growing up in a specialist unit away from her parents.

But this, and other life-changing challenges, never stopped Cora from being highly adaptable and extremely determined.

Now Cora has had enough.

Enough of inequality.

Enough of autistic and other neurodivergent people not being treated fairly in the home, education and justice systems or the workplace.

And she’s doing something about it. Cora tells us that, no matter how difficult our lives can be, we can fight for what we believe in. Neurorebellion is such a cause for good. Listen to this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation to hear what it really means when we talk about taking action to help others in the field of Neurodiversity.

Find and connect with Cora:

https://www.frascatiassociates.com https://www.neurorebellion.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjaburke/

Currently studying a PhD in organisational psychology and neuro-inclusive practices in education and the workplace, Jessica Dark has done much to support the Neurodivergent Community over many years.

She is an incredible producer of educational and inspirational content on social media, and I have learned so much from this generous advocate for our neurodivergent community.

In this episode, she talks about her late diagnosis journey, life in a neurodivergent family, and her experience of being an advocate.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did recording it!

Find out more about Jessica and connect:

Website: https://ndperspective.squarespace.com/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100045718560338/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-dark

Tahleel Javed is a specialist doctor within the field of psychiatry, and CEO of STAND - the Society for Tourette's, Autism and Neurodiversity. We talk about her autism and ADHD, the huge amount of work being done to support our neurodivergent community, and what it means to be human.

Tahleel and I have walked a similar path and we share stories about our families, including emotional experiences around our mothers.

She was 26 when she came to England from Pakistan in 2020 and promptly caught COVID, leading to Long COVID, and she shares her traumatic journey to recovery. Just two years later she is working with incredible people from diverse fields all over the world. We met when I was invited to a brilliant Meet and Greet and spoke to members of the Royal College of Psychiatry, musicians, artists and autistic people changing policy within Government.

Tahleel for me is what advocating for the neurodivergent community is really about, and her story is inspiring and emotional. This honest and evocative conversation is one of my favourites so far.

You can find out more about what Tahleel does by following these links:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1vNf8fV8yujvU0Fvi16eFg

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/blogs/detai...and-inclusion-blog/2022/03/23/an-outsider-s-inside-story---part-1-of-3

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1vNf8fV8yujvU0Fvi16eFg

admin@the-stand.org

Melly Moore is a Podcaster and YouTuber from Quebec, Canada. In this episode she talks about her ADHD and anxiety journey and challenges in the workplace, and gives a special message for change.

With difficult challenges throughout her life, Melly has chosen to help others within the Neurodivergent and Mental Health Community. We talk about how hard school was for her as an ADHDer, bullying, family struggles and more.

She started meds at aged six, then came off them at fourteen, believing they were a placebo. Her sheer determination shows us that when we keep pushing forward we can succeed in the things we want to do.

Melly has so much passion and enthusiasm, and her smile and personality shines through. An inspiring and engaging conversation.

Melly's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCt8a9Btiy62kYUeCCnlVlzw

Her TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZML98UE6G/

Her Instagram: https://instagram.com/adhdmelly

Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melly-moore

Coming from a large Irish family, Eoin could see autism amongst his parents and siblings - in retrospect. Their neurodivergent life together was happy and supportive. A different story developed during the transition from school to college and he describes the big challenges of attempting to fit in, experiencing acute loneliness and living with depression.

Eoin didn’t discover his autism until later in life, but he knew he wanted to work with young people and adults at just twenty. He studied, worked hard and discovered what a fulfilling and rewarding career working within the neurodivergent community truly is.

We talk about his assessment and diagnosis journey, mental health and the challenges and successes of living in a world that can be confusing, lonely and full of ups and downs.

A wonderful chat, full of inspiration!

Eoin’s website: www.autisminformedtherapy.com

Blog: https://autisticallyminded.blogspot.com/

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/Autism-Informed-Therapy-Institute-101827435032551 https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoinstephens/ https://www.facebook.com/Autistically-Minded-100373764776410 https://www.instagram.com/autisticallyminded/