Am I autistic, ADHD or AuDHD? Exploring neurodivergence as an adult
A gentle guide to wondering, noticing and deciding what to do next, and how therapy can help along the way.
In short
You don't need a diagnosis to explore whether you might be neurodivergent.
I help adults explore their traits, map their profile and decide whether to seek a formal assessment.
I don't diagnose, but I can help you prepare for an assessment if you choose one.
In person in South Bristol or online anywhere in the UK. £110 for 50 minutes, and a free 20-minute first call.
Why so many adults are only now wondering
Many people reach adulthood without anyone noticing that their mind works differently, especially those who learned early on to fit in, work hard and hide their struggles.
The question often arrives later in life: through a child's diagnosis, a period of burnout, a social media post that feels uncannily familiar, or a quiet sense of having always been slightly out of step with everyone else.
Signs people often notice
There's no checklist that tells you for certain. But people who come to me often describe:
feeling drained after socialising, even when they enjoyed it
years of "performing" being okay, often called masking
strong reactions to noise, light, textures or crowds
deep, absorbing interests
difficulty with focus, time or getting started, or losing hours to hyperfocus
feeling "too much" or "not enough"
burnout that rest doesn't seem to fix
intense reactions to criticism or rejection
These experiences can have many causes. Looking at them in the context of your whole life is what helps.
How therapy can help you explore this
I offer a neuroaffirmative, curious space to look at your experiences together, without pressure towards any particular answer.
Explore your traits. We look at how you think, feel, sense and connect across your whole life, not just how you present now. Many traits only become visible once you see how they've been masked.
Map your profile. Neurodivergence looks different in everyone. Together we build a picture of your strengths, needs, sensory preferences and pressure points, so you understand yourself more clearly, whatever you decide next.
Make sense of the past. Exploring this often brings up relief, grief, anger or doubt. There's room for all of it.
Should I get a formal diagnosis?
For some people, a diagnosis brings validation, access to support or adjustments at work, or simply an answer. Others find that understanding themselves is enough. There's no right choice, only the one that fits your life.
I don't diagnose, but I can help you weigh it up. If you decide to go ahead, we can look at the NHS and private routes available, prepare for the process, and gather examples from your childhood and adult life that assessors often ask about.
"You don't need a label to deserve support."
Questions people ask
Can you tell me if I'm autistic or ADHD? I can't diagnose, which needs a clinical assessment. I can help you understand your traits in depth and decide what feels right next.
Is self-identifying valid? Many people find real clarity in understanding their neurodivergence, with or without a formal diagnosis.
What if I decide I'm not neurodivergent? That's completely fine. The aim is to understand yourself better, not to reach a particular answer.
Do I need to live in Bristol? No. I see people in person in South Bristol and online anywhere in the UK.
How many sessions will I need? It varies. Some people come for a handful of sessions to explore a specific question; others continue into ongoing therapy.
Written by Catherine Flynn, BACP-accredited counsellor (no. 386848) and late-diagnosed autistic therapist, working with neurodivergent adults in South Bristol and online. Read more about me
Ready to get in touch
Book a free 20-minute Zoom call or you can send me an email. No phone call needed. £110 for 50 minutes · South Bristol or online across the UK · Insurance and Access to Work accepted.
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