Hosted by Kevin Young & Rosemary Davies-Janes, Produced by J’aime Rothbard.

This lively conversation explores many facets of neurodiversity and how individuals with different neurological wiring engage with the world. Our guest shares her personal (neurodivergent) challenges and triumphs navigating relationships, motherhood, academia, employment, misogynistic and patriarchal cultures, bullying, systemic violence and ecological activism.

Listen in as our hosts and guest discuss:

- How trauma, and the traumatic life experiences generated by societal and systemic issues, can affect neurodivergent individuals, and may, in fact, contribute to neurodivergence - The pros and cons of formal versus self-diagnosis. Dr Taylor cautions that a formal diagnosis can lead to societal stigma and distancing, rather than the expected social support and understanding - The different meanings of the terms: Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence - How connecting with one’s authenticity and embracing creativity as a form of self-expression has the potential to lead neurodivergent people to greater fulfillment in life - The importance of finding supportive communities and individuals who understand neurodiversity - The need for more compassionate and trauma-informed approaches in services and institutions supporting neurodivergent people

Overall, our guest advocates for greater awareness, acceptance, empathy, support and understanding of neurodivergence, while also recognizing its social and economic complexities and challenges.

About Dr Louise Taylor A Neurodivergent Therapist and Researcher, Louise believes we must embody our work and live in such a way that we make our lives art.

She received an ASD diagnosis in 2020, and a Dyslexia diagnosis in the final months of her PhD. Passionate about connecting people with the natural world for health and wellbeing purposes, her doctorate, from Queen's University Belfast, is in Nature and Mental Health.

Louise combines her research work with her therapy practice, which blends counselling, consulting and coaching and serves mainly neurodivergent clients. She also works with academics to highlight the importance of mental health, wellness, and equity, and is committed to supporting activists on the frontlines of climate justice and environmental struggles, whether in the Sperrin Mountains, or Uganda.

Louise lives in rural Tyrone in the North of Ireland with her children, dogs and ever-increasing plant collection. Happiest when eating good food, dancing to wonderful music, writing, lounging and laughing with loved ones, she also enjoys slow days spent wandering on beaches and in forests.

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Resources: Websites: Louise’s Professional Website Louise’s Psychology Today Profile Relevant Links: Psychology Today Articles Reflecting on the Traumas of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, with Stephen Brown The Cleveland Clinic: Neurodiversity Overview Neurodivergent Climate Activist Article Roger Hallam Autism & Friendships Article Assessments Article Meltdowns & Shutdowns Article Masking & ASD Article Louise Hay Affirmations The Make-up of Neuro-Diversity

Videos: Empathy & Autism What is Neurodiversity?

Books: The Myth of Normal

Education: PhD from Queen's University Belfast in Nature and Mental Health Foundation Degree in Counselling from the University of Ulster in C.B.T., Psychoanalysis, and Person Centred Therapy Certificate in Life Coaching City and Guilds 7407 Teacher Training Qualification MA in Women's Studies and Feminist Research BA in Sociology, 2i Honours Training: Reclaiming Pleasure: Embodied Joy in Trauma Recovery and Social Change. Creative Expression/Emancipatory Thinking/Artist's Way Facilitator Cruse Bereavement Training Spirituality in Counselling Training Extensive Domestic Abuse Training Extensive Youth Work training Mental Health First Aid training

Quotes: 2010 interview Quotes: Dr. Gabor Maté on the Stress-Disease Connection, Addiction, Attention Deficit Disorder and the Destruction of American Childhood“The child’s brain development depends on the presence of non-stressed, emotionally available parents. In this country, that’s less and less available. Hence, you’ve got burgeoning rates of autism. It’s gone up 20- or 30-fold in the last 30 or 40 years.”

“…autism is a whole spectrum of disorders, but the essential quality of it is an emotional disconnect. These children are living in a mind of their own. They don’t respond appropriately to emotional cues. They withdraw. They act out in an aggressive and sometimes just unpredictable fashion. They don’t know how to — there’s no sense — there’s no clear sense of an emotional connection and peace inside them.”

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Trauma, Neurodivergence & Compassion with Dr Louise Taylor