10 Essential Basics of Neurodivergence in Adults

Ever felt like teaching with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing challenges was a battle nobody else understood?

You're not alone.

Once you learn the basics of neurodivergence in adults, it will make more sense!

This collection brings together all of my foundational articles to help you navigate your neurodivergent teaching journey with confidence — and self-compassion.

What is ADHD? Your Ultimate 7-Part Beginner's Guide

Understanding ADHD is the first step toward thriving with it in the classroom.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the science, symptoms, and lived experience in language that actually makes sense.

Discover why your brain works the way it does and how to leverage your unique wiring instead of fighting against it.

Get the guide on what is ADHD, here →

Autism and ADHD: 7 Common Traits Every ND Teacher Should Know

The overlap between autism and ADHD can explain so much about your teaching experience.

These seven shared traits affect everything from sensory experiences in the classroom to communication with colleagues.

Understanding this neurodivergent intersection helps you recognize your strengths.

All while creating accommodations that honor your authentic teaching self.

Explore the connection between autism and ADHD here →

Sensory Processing Disorder in Adults: When Felt Feels Like a Four-Letter Word

The fluorescent lights, student chatter, scratchy staff t-shirts, and cafeteria smells?

These can be debilitating when you have sensory processing differences.

I know this all too well, as a former teacher who burned out in part due to sensory overload.

Certain classroom environments leave you completely drained.

There are practical modifications you can implement tomorrow.

Learn more about sensory processing disorder in adults here →

What is Executive Function? 5 Challenges ND Teachers Face (and Solutions That Actually Work)

Executive function difficulties can make the organizational demands of teaching feel impossible.

These five challenges hit neurodivergent teachers particularly hard.

That's why I have some solutions for you here.

Learn about what is executive function here →

10 Signs of Adult ADHD: A Teacher's Look at Late Diagnosis

Discovering you have ADHD in your 30s, 40s, or beyond reframes your entire teaching career.

These ten signs resonate specifically with educators who've struggled silently through years of misunderstanding.

If you've always felt teaching should be easier given your knowledge and passion, this perspective on late diagnosis might be the missing piece.

Recognize the signs of adult ADHD here →

Time Blindness in Teaching: ADHD Challenges and Strategies for 2025

When every minute counts but your brain can't perceive time accurately, teaching becomes exponentially harder.

The structured school day presents unique difficulties for educators with time blindness.

Here are some practical time management tips.

Manage time blindness →

7 Overlooked Symptoms of ADD and ADHD in Women You Need to Know

Female educators often go undiagnosed because ADHD presents differently than the stereotypical hyperactive boy model.

These seven frequently missed symptoms explain why teaching might feel more overwhelming for you than colleagues.

Understanding the gender differences in ADHD expression can be the key to appropriate accommodations and self-advocacy in your teaching practice.

Learn the symptoms of ADD and ADHD in women here →

7 Hormones and ADHD Truths Teachers Never Hear

The intersection of hormonal fluctuations and ADHD symptoms creates a perfect storm that few discuss.

For female teachers, this monthly rollercoaster affects classroom performance in predictable but rarely acknowledged ways.

Discover how to track, prepare for, and adapt to these neurobiological changes without compromising your teaching effectiveness.

Understand hormones and ADHD here →

5 ADHD Late Diagnosis Revelations That Changed Everything

A late ADHD diagnosis doesn't just explain your present—it recontextualizes your entire teaching history.

These five profound revelations help make sense of past struggles and transform future practice.

Find validation, understanding, and a path forward that honors both your teaching expertise and your neurodivergent reality.

Learn more about ADHD late diagnosis here →

7 ADHD Self-Accommodations for Teachers That Actually Work

You don't need always need official accommodations or administrator permission to make teaching work better for your ADHD brain.

These seven teacher-tested strategies can be implemented immediately to reduce overwhelm and increase effectiveness.

Created specifically for the unique demands of classroom teaching, these practical approaches work even within rigid school structures.

Read more about ADHD self-accommodations →

Neurodivergence FAQs for Adults: Quick Answers for Curious Minds

What does “neurodivergent” even mean?

It’s a fancy way of saying your brain operates differently from what’s typical.

Neurodivergence covers variations like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and sensory processing differences—none of which make you “broken,” just wired in your own unique way.

Is neurodivergence something you’re born with?

Yes, for the most part. It’s a result of how your brain develops, starting from day one.

Many people don’t fully notice it until later in life (hello, missed diagnosis), but it’s not something you “catch” or suddenly develop like the flu.

How do I know if I’m neurodivergent?

Some signs could be taking a lot longer than peers to read something, or finish an assignment.

Or even being unable to finish it.

Or the flip side, you can finish the assignment, but only after overly applying yourself and getting exhausted and burned out as a result.

It's the amount of effort that is required, that is the main difference.

Some other markers include memory difficulties, sensory sensitivities, challenges with time management or organization, and emotional dysregulation.

And conversely, there are often great strengths in creative areas (music, art, drama), empathy for others, humor, and problem solving skills.

Why wasn’t this diagnosed when I was a kid?

The short answer?

Society hasn't been great at spotting these things back then, especially in girls and women.

Or anyone with the more inattentive presentation of ADHD for example.

Many adults today are realizing their neurodivergence after years of masking, compensating, or being mislabeled as simply lazy.

What’s the difference between neurodivergent and neurotypical?

Neurotypical brains fit the “standard” mold for how people think, feel, and process.

Neurodivergent brains are simply wired differently.

Neither is better or worse; they’re just different operating systems.

Can you be neurodivergent and not know it?

Absolutely. Many adults go through life without realizing their challenges or strengths stem from neurodivergence.

Often, it takes a major life shift for the symptoms to be completely obvious.

For example, when a young adult leaves home for the first time to go away to college.

Or, when someone retires from a career they've held forever.

All of a sudden, the structures that kept people organized aren't there.

And that person has to start to devise their own methods.

Which, if you are undiagnosed, this can take you down many rabbit holes.

Many of which are not healthy.

Is neurodivergence genetic?

Yes. There is a strong chance that if you have ADHD, for example, someone closely related to you does too.

Sometimes it takes getting our kids diagnosed to realize, wait a minute…

That's me.

Sound familiar?

Where can I learn more about adult ADHD?

Check out CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficity/Hyperactivity Disorder)