Welcome to episode #67 We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Megan Anna Neff today.
Dr. Neff is a neurodivergent Psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights where she creates education and wellness resources for neurodivergent adults. Dr. Neff is the author of Self-Care for Autistic People. Additionally, she has published in several peer-reviewed journals. Passionate about distilling complex research into visually accessible formats, she translates research into visual pixels which you can find on her website, Instagram, and digital workbooks. Beyond her visual endeavors, she co-hosts the "Divergent Conversations" podcast and spearheads a vibrant learning community tailored for neurodivergent adults.
Welcome to the show Dr. Neff!
Questions
Can you tell us about your experience with neurodiversity?
When did you realize that you weren’t neurotypical?
3 years ago (2021)
Started exploring for oldest child
Was surprising / Wasn’t covered in training
Autism discovery came first, then ADHD.
What challenges did you face?
Feeling
Like observer in life
Can’t be content
Struggling to be present (because of dissociation from sensory overload).
A lot of this is because of the sensory overload
Specific sensory challenges
The rate of work: 15 patients per day.
In a room with 5 people simultaneously
Mental dialog
Preparing conversations
Metaphors
Autistic burnout
Long COVID
Explained 4-5 long depression episodes
What changes have come post-diagnosis?
Many of the challenges above, but lean into the underlying values that are driving it
E.g. going to a bustling, overstimulating party can be manageable if connecting to the family aspect behind it.
More accepting of how they can show up (e.g. if it’s a crowded area, accepting that they may be less present).
What challenges do you still face now?
Executive functioning
Organization
Missing details
Scheduling
Sensory
Restructured work
Closed private practice
More space for flow states
Autistic burnout/managing energy levels
What neuro-exceptional strengths are you leaning into now?
Hyperfocus/monotropism
Special interests - “Aspie” quiz showed interest
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
Working on several books
Self-care for autistic people
Autistic burnout
ND affirming therapy
Cross neurotype interactions
Created 25+ workbooks
On Examples:
RSD
Interoception
Create graphics based on concepts
Converting them into video courses
Community
Social media posts
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Doesn’t relax well
Chandra Rhymes? With kids
Actively looking for habits
Self-diagnosed workaholism
Productivity tips
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
Learning things her way - standard learning styles didn’t work
Leaning into rhythms
Different buckets of work for different energy levels
Bucket A: writing/creativity
High energy
Fulfilling
Bucket B: admin
Low energy/low brainpower
Background shows to boost dopamine
Interest-based nervous system - Dr Dodson
As opposed to the importance of based nervous system
Passion/meaning/play/novelty/urgency/challenge
Operationalizing it
Let herself chase her interests
Structured spontaneity
What is some unhelpful productivity advice that doesn’t work for you?
“Normal” Scheduling
E.g. content calendar
Hard to figure out what to do for the next 6 months - can’t predict what
BREAK
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
Morning ritual
Cup of coffee every day
Sit in sunlight
15-30 minutes
Which projects to move on today
How is your sleep? How do you switch off at night?
Tactics for
Free association/shamanic/cognitive shuffling
Free assoc
Shamanic ritual
Cognitive shuffling - intentionally shuffle thoughts (e.g. combining garden, find all the words starting with each letter of garden)
It prevents rumination and mimics the early stages of sleep.
Play solitaire in bed
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
Episode 67