Posts by Epic Think Learn
Understanding and supporting neurodivergent girls
This blog post was written by Shipei Wang, University of Edinburgh When we think of ADHD or autism, there has long been a tendency to see them as conditions that primarily affect boys. Neurodivergent girls have, in the past, been overlooked in both clinical and everyday settings. Although awareness of neurodivergence in girls has improved…
Read MoreIs ADHD stopping my teenager from sleeping?
This post was written by Meghan Perez-Keepax as part of a placement on the Masters in Science Communication at the University of Edinburgh The image of the sleep deprived teen, struggling to get up in the morning, but active late into the night is so common it is almost a caricature. However, not everyone is…
Read More“It’s like an itch”: How your teenage girl with ADHD experiences school
This post was written by Āine Singleton on a placement as part of the MSc in Science Communication at the University of Edinburgh “How was school?” “Fine.” That all too familiar conversation takes place in homes all over the world daily. But what if we could dig a bit deeper? A recent study has explored the…
Read MoreMind Over Matter: How Mindfulness can help teens with ADHD thrive
This blog post was written by Gaia Mizzi as part of her enrollment on the MSc in Science Communication at the University of Edinburgh High school is a juggling act! Constantly shifting subjects, a myriad of planning ahead and deadlines, and all of that on top of the intense emotional rollercoaster of being a teenager!…
Read MoreIncreased use of gestures when autism and ADHD co-occur: insights from research
Autism or ADHD [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder]? Or perhaps both? A third of autistic children and adolescents will eventually receive a dual diagnosis, but usually not until they are older. This represents a missed opportunity for support. Autistic young people often have social communication difficulties. However, a recent study by Swedish researchers, identified that those with dual…
Read MoreDo Autistic boys and girls behave differently?
Imagine you are a teacher. Among your students are several Autistic children. You have been trained to spot both internalising behaviours (sadness, anxiety, withdrawal, and reduced interactions with others) and externalising behaviours (bullying, irritability, anger, and negative or hostile interactions with others). But which category of behaviour would you expect to see more in boys than…
Read MoreThe link between autism and selective mutism, and what it means for co-diagnosis – what does the research say?
Have you noticed that your child finds it very difficult – even impossible – to speak in some social situations, but then when they’re at home or around familiar people, they’re happy to chat? This may be a form of social anxiety known as selective mutism. In this article, we will summarise several studies that…
Read MoreThe unique qualities of those with a dual diagnosis of ADHD and autism
Autism and ADHD each have different characteristics. For example, repetitive behaviours are common in autism, while people with ADHD may have difficulties in managing hyperactivity (‘driven by a motor’) or controlling impulsivity. Nevertheless, the two conditions frequently co-occur within families. The infographics below summarise a review article that described the unique set of thinking and…
Read MoreGo with the Flow: Hyperfocus and Flow may be More Similar than they are Different: An overview of a recent research study
Have you ever experienced ‘flow’? Flow is that intense focus working on a task where time just seems to slip away. In the neurotypical population, this is generally seen as a good thing. But, the situation is a little different for those who are autistic. The increased attention associated with autism is referred to as hyperfocus…
Read MoreLanguage and communication difficulties leave autistic people feeling isolated: what does recent research tell us
Research has shown that autistic people often have difficulties explaining themselves or understanding language use, even if they have no additional learning disabilities and this can include subtle language use. Subtle language is where the speaker does not explain everything they mean and assume that those who are listening understands most of what they are…
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