Neurodiversity celebration and networking

This event was hosted by our wonderful co-chair Lorna Mills.

We had two brilliant speakers Louise Foddy and Cecilie Lehmann Gianneri who shared their authentic experiences of ADHD.

Our first speaker was Cecilie Gianneri who shared her lived experience of having a late diagnosis of ADHD.

Cecilie shared ADHD related factors and how ADHD can be linked to so many areas and I know many of us found this new learning to understand all the possible links and impact of ADHD

Cecilie shared how it was so important to understand what was happening in your body and brain with ADHD to then be able to understand your own reactions and how it impacts you.

As she pointed out ADHD impacts every person differently so important to understand your own stressors and reactions.

Cecile has carried out research with other women who have been diagnosed later in life with ADHD and share some wonderful images that women had created reflecting their own experiences.

Cecile is interesting in exploring further research on the links with cold water swimming as part of the strategies for managing ADHD which sounds so interesting to look out for her work in this space

Cecile, is a coach and has a focus on coaching men and women and young people (16+) with ADHD.

To learn more about Cecile then you can view her LinkedIn profile or check out her website The Third Space.

Our second speaker was Louise Foddy who also shared her experiences of living with her ADHD.

She also is a coach and coaches women with ADHD supporting them on living with their ADHD label. Louise, also shared that each persons experience of ADHD was unique to them

Louise, also shared that each person's experience of ADHD was unique to them.

Louise stated that there are a range of strengths associated with ADHD such as creativity, hyperfocus and resilience and how it is beneficial to implement strategies to manage the challenges such as for emotional regulation and executive functioning difficulties.

She talked about the importance of knowing yourself and shared some of her own coping strategies and how these allowed her to manage her stressors and embrace more of her strengths.

Louise is also is a coach and coaches women with ADHD to bridge the gap between recognising symptoms, understanding why they occur and implementing strategies to make life easier.

Contact Louise via her LinkedIn profile or visit her website Coach with Louise

Both speakers shared really important insights about understanding the journey people experience after an ADHD diagnosis, and the stressful part of really knowing yourself before you can appreciate and utilise the strengths.

Both clearly communicated that each person is unique and that we should be aware that someone with ADHD is one person with their own experience.

Often an initial diagnosis will feel stressful and unsettling as a person works out what it means for them, and both speakers use their experience to offer coaching to help others

We also had time for some networking and Q&A's and look forward to more sessions with our members in the near future as we discuss other topics

If you would like to hear more about our events then please do check out our page on the BPS website or our LinkedIn group for members.