June 22
If you connect with some of the ADHD traits but have never really felt like the label fits you perfectly, you might relate to my guest this episode, Andi Wilkinson, who has both ADHD and autism and describes the combination as “having internal opposite personalities that are constantly fighting with each other.”
Andi, who is a creative and digital marketer, didn’t get her ADHD and autism diagnoses until 45, but once she did she realized just how much it explained about her life–why she’s so good at creating a mess but can’t stand messiness, why she loves to visit new cities but gets overwhelmed by travel, and why she’s able to spend hours and hours on organizational tasks that other people find incredibly boring.
During our conversation Andi shares what it’s like to manage the often-opposing interests of ADHD and autism, the overlaps and differences between the two, her experiences with early trauma and a strict religious upbringing, the intersection of ADHD, ASD, and tech, and so much more.
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"I think being creative, especially if that's a core thing of your person, you need to be creative, otherwise you are going to get depressed. We thrive off it."
- Andonette Wilkinson
"I don't see [ADHD and ASD] as separate conditions. I almost see it like, there's a bunch of symptoms out there and they're all like stars. And we just draw our own constellation in the stars, and whatever that constellation is and wherever it's closest to that, that tends to be the label that we end up with. But I don't personally see them as separate things, I believe they're all part of the same and I believe research will start to show that."
- Andonette Wilkinson
"I have the ADHD side of me, which is just completely spontaneous and wakes up in the morning and decides that it's going to take up a new hobby and by the end of the day I've purchased all the materials and the coursework and I'm off on this new direction. But also, I've always liked a tidy room. I'm really good at creating mess, but I can't stand mess. I have to have it tidied up. I have to know where everything is visually. I always have a place for everything in my mind."
- Andonette Wilkinson
- Andonette discusses her struggles with ADHD and ASD, including difficulty with administration tasks and social interactions, and how she was diagnosed later in life after seeking expert help.
- Andonette's life was dramatically altered at 9 years old when her brother died and her father was diagnosed with cancer, leading to her mother remarrying and uprooting their life within six months.
- Andonette describes how she left her husband and job in her mid-30s to escape an abusive religious organization, despite facing shunning from her family.
[26:07 - 42:40] ADHD, ASD, trauma, and personal experiences
- Andonette was diagnosed with trichotillomania at 10 and has three neurodiverse children, highlighting the complexity of her experiences.
- Andonette discusses her experiences with ADHD and ASD, including her struggles with emotional dysregulation and sensory sensitivities.
- Andonette shares her passion for urban sketching, a creative movement where artists draw live in public locations, and how it has helped her connect with others who share her interests.
- Andonette shares her experience of feeling overwhelmed by a walk with her friend Matthew, but ultimately finding solace in sketching and drawing.
- Andonette believes that the overlap of ADHD and autism (ACD) can bring unique strengths and abilities, such as creativity and strong executive functions, which can be leveraged for success.
- Andonette advocates for more inclusion and diversity in the tech space, highlighting the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals.
