In this episode, James Kindred shares his lived experience of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life, revealing how these conditions impacted his perception of social cues, learning, and daily functioning.

From the struggles of fitting in during childhood to the nuanced effects of medication and coping strategies, his story highlights the importance of diagnosis as both an enlightenment and a challenge, especially given the limited support infrastructure post-diagnosis.

James’s reflections on the spectrum of neurodivergence and the misconceptions around substances like alcohol and stimulants are both candid and enlightening, emphasizing that managing neurodiversity often involves small, deliberate changes rather than sweeping reforms.

James discusses some of the tools—like writing tasks in a notebook, talking to himself, and using analogies like sensory booths and dashboards—to create mental clarity and emotional resilience.

If you've found the episode helpful, it's also worth checking our James' own podcast, Big Bad Beautiful Brains here: https://j-kindred.com/podcast/

You can also connect with James here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sketchybear/

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

05:59 Why did you come on the show?

09:05 How was your last week?

17:07 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?

50:37 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?

68:08 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can