About My Business

About My Autism and I

A Supportive Space for Neurodivergent Girls, Young Women, and Their Families

Welcome to My Autism and I, a supportive space for autistic and ADHD girls, young women (aged 10+), and their parents. Navigating life as a neurodivergent individual can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. My Autism and I provides understanding, guidance, and practical strategies tailored to your unique experiences.

I’m Abbie, the founder of My Autism and I, and my approach is rooted in both lived experience and professional training. As someone who is both autistic and has ADHD, I know first-hand the challenges, strengths, and complexities that come with neurodivergence. Whether you or your child are newly diagnosed, self-identifying, or have been navigating autism and ADHD for years, my goal is to help you understand yourself, develop strategies that work for your brain, and build confidence in who you are.

For parents, I offer insight into how your daughter experiences the world, helping you understand her behaviours, thought processes, and sensory needs. Many traditional parenting approaches do not consider the neurodivergent perspective, and I help bridge that gap by offering guidance on emotional regulation, executive function struggles, sensory challenges, school, friendships, and family dynamics.

Everything I do is designed to provide practical, empathetic, and realistic support that makes a real difference in everyday life.

Sensory and Physical Needs

Many autistic and ADHD individuals experience sensory sensitivities that can make everyday environments overwhelming. Sensory overload can cause discomfort, distress, anxiety, or shutdowns, especially in spaces that do not accommodate neurodivergence. Bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, or unexpected physical touch can be difficult to navigate. Public places, schools, and workplaces often fail to consider these needs, making day-to-day life exhausting.

Food-related challenges are also common, often linked to sensory aversions, anxiety, or difficulties with recognising hunger and fullness cues. Some individuals experience ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), which makes eating a stressful experience due to extreme sensitivity to textures, tastes, and smells. This can lead to nutritional concerns, struggles with eating in social situations, or avoidance of certain food groups entirely.

I provide support in managing sensory overload, developing self-regulation strategies, navigating restricted diets, and creating routines that reduce unpredictability and anxiety. Through personalised techniques, I help individuals and families create a sensory-friendly lifestyle that feels safe and manageable.

Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

Emotional regulation can be particularly challenging for autistic and ADHD individuals. Many experience meltdowns, shutdowns, emotional exhaustion, or difficulty identifying and expressing emotions (alexithymia). This can result in intense distress, difficulties in relationships, and feeling overwhelmed by daily life.

Many also struggle with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), where even small amounts of criticism or perceived rejection feel overwhelming. This can affect confidence, increase anxiety, and lead to avoidance of social or professional situations. Others experience Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), where everyday tasks can feel impossible due to extreme anxiety around expectations and pressure.

Co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD are also common and can make managing life even more difficult. The constant effort of masking, navigating a world that isn’t designed for neurodivergent people, and coping with unmet needs can take a significant toll on mental health.

I provide support in developing emotional regulation strategies, understanding and managing masking behaviours, setting boundaries, and building resilience. My approach is always tailored to individual needs, helping people find ways to cope with emotional distress in a way that feels natural and sustainable.

Executive Function and Daily Living

Executive dysfunction can make everyday responsibilities overwhelming. Many neurodivergent individuals struggle with planning, organisation, time management, and starting or completing tasks. This can result in difficulties maintaining routines, forgetting important responsibilities, or feeling mentally “stuck” when faced with decisions.

Many also struggle with self-care, including hygiene, meal planning, and household responsibilities. The need for structure and predictability is common in autism and ADHD, but creating and maintaining these systems can be difficult. When tasks feel too big or unmanageable, they are often avoided entirely, leading to further stress and frustration.

I help individuals develop structured but flexible routines, build strategies for task management, and explore tools like visual schedules, timers, and reminders. Whether it’s improving organisation, building self-care habits, or breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps, I provide practical strategies to create a sense of control over daily life.

Social, Family, and Relationship Challenges

Social interaction can feel confusing, exhausting, or overwhelming for many autistic and ADHD individuals. Some struggle with understanding unspoken social rules, body language, or tone of voice, while others experience social anxiety or difficulty maintaining friendships. Forming and sustaining relationships—whether friendships, romantic relationships, or family connections—can be challenging due to differences in communication styles and emotional processing.

Negative attitudes from non-autistic people can also add to this difficulty, with neurodivergent individuals often feeling misunderstood, judged, or pressured to act neurotypical. Many people mask their true selves in social situations, suppressing stims, forcing eye contact, or mimicking expected behaviours, leading to exhaustion and burnout.

At home, family misunderstandings can lead to frustration, miscommunication, or emotional dysregulation. Parents may struggle to understand their child’s perspective, and siblings may find it difficult to connect. Building positive relationships requires clear communication, mutual understanding, and respect for neurodivergent needs.

I provide support in navigating social interactions, improving communication skills, setting boundaries, and fostering healthier relationships. Whether it’s working on friendship challenges, family dynamics, or self-acceptance, I help individuals and families build meaningful, supportive connections.

Education and Employment

Both school and the workplace present unique challenges for neurodivergent individuals. Many autistic and ADHD students struggle with focusing in class, sensory overwhelm, understanding social dynamics, and managing homework and deadlines. Traditional learning environments often fail to accommodate different processing styles, leading to stress, exhaustion, or school avoidance.

In the workplace, challenges can include managing workloads, handling social expectations, requesting accommodations, and navigating career transitions. Many struggle with barriers to employment, as traditional hiring processes and workplace structures are often designed with neurotypical people in mind. Sensory distractions, poor communication, rigid work schedules, and unrealistic expectations can make work environments overwhelming.

I offer support in advocating for educational accommodations such as EHCPs and reasonable adjustments, developing strategies for academic success, and navigating workplace challenges. I also help individuals understand their workplace rights, request accommodations, and build confidence in their career development. Whether it’s school, university, or employment, I provide practical guidance to ensure individuals feel supported in their learning and professional environments.

Get in Touch

If you or your daughter are looking for support, strategies, or just someone who truly understands, I would love to hear from you.

This page provides a brief overview of the support I offer, but every individual’s experience is unique. If you would like to talk in more detail about any of the areas mentioned or have questions about something specific, please reach out. I’m happy to discuss how I can tailor support to suit your needs.

For more information or to book a session, please get in touch.