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How can I find out if I'm neurodivergent? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: How can I find out if I'm neurodivergent?
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: It is very hard to pinpoint how many people are neurodivergent in the UK, as a lot of people are still left undiagnosed.
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  SPEAKER_00: According to statistics, up to 15% of people have a diagnosis, which is one in seven.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: These numbers change all the time and are constantly on the rise.
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  SPEAKER_00: The main way to find out if you're neurodivergent is through an assessment, which can be accessed through the GP or from private healthcare providers.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes there are waiting lists from the GP which can take months or years.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: This can be problematic for some, so getting an assessment privately can be another option, although it can be costly.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: There are ways of gaining a greater understanding of yourself if you think you could be neurodivergent.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: You could start by completing an ASD or ADHD screening tool on any of the major charity websites.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: These will give you an idea as to whether going down the route of an assessment could be worthwhile.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: Although being neurodivergent is very common, it presents in very different ways.
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  SPEAKER_00: Finding out people's real life experiences of what it's like to identify as neurodivergent can help.
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  SPEAKER_00: You can find other people's experiences in books like Divergent Mind by Jannari Nuremberg, podcasts like Uniquely Human, or websites like Neurodiversity UK.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: Learning about other people's experiences can give you a broader idea of what being neurodivergent looks like, and from here you can see what it is you identify with.
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  SPEAKER_00: These could include sensory issues like sensitivity to noise or light, or finding it hard to concentrate on certain things but then concentrating very well on others.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: Perhaps you've always suffered from anxiety, but the normal processes and treatments for this haven't worked on you.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: Building a bigger picture of how you identify will help you to decide if you want to go ahead with the diagnosis.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Self-diagnosis is very valid and can help you to make certain changes in your habits and routine.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of people will be happy with this and it can be enough.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: A formal diagnosis will offer more support if changes are required in the workplace or if you want to try medication.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: If you want to find out more about whether you feel you identify as neurodivergent, then you can always speak with your GP.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_00: This can tell you more about the process, which could give you an idea of how you want to proceed moving forward.