My guest on this bonus episode of the ADHD series is Kayla Megan Burns. We talk about their experience of discovering they are Autistic and most likely ADHD and not a weirdo, as they thought of themselves as a child.

Kayla is passionate about communication and equality. They are currently a Tech Founder and leader running their own podcast production business, Songplistic, which produces organisational podcasts and utilises the profits from this to fund social good. As a recent Biomedical graduate with a first class honours degree, they also use these skills, as well as their involvement on the board of Disability Equality Scotland, to write informative books for children facing illness and disability.

Check out these links for more information on Kayla:
Songplistic
Linked in

Follow Truthbook: Honest Conversations with a Psychologist to get the next series as soon as it is released
Facebook
Instagram
Linked in

In this final episode of the series about ADHD assessments, I chat to Dr Helen Galloway, a clinical psychologist and manager of the St Andrews Practice. I met with Helen in their new premises in Dundee. We were both somewhat nervous about tackling this subject but we're glad we did and hope it answers some of those tricky questions on this topic. We'd welcome hearing your thoughts and views on this episode...
@truthbook instagram
@truthbook Facebook
Email Helen info@thestandrewspractice.com
Email Kathryn Kathryn@lomondpsychology.co.uk

My guest Eleanor Murray shares the perspective of a young person, at 19years old. She was happy to talk about her experience of assessment for ADHD and Autism, the impact of a diagnosis and other people's perception. Eleanor is about to start a foundation course in Art at Dundee University after having done a year at Ayrshire College studying Art and Design. I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions on listening to this episode...
@truthbook instagram
@truthbook Facebook
Email Kathryn Kathryn@lomondpsychology.co.uk

Michaela Thomas is a fellow clinical psychologist who runs the Thomas Connection and a programme called Burn Bright for high striving ambitious women. She's is also author of The Lasting Connection, and host of the Pause Purpose Play Podcast. Michaela celebrates what her ADHD brain allows her to achieve, but also acknowledges that there is another side to the coin, and that ADHD is a disability. Michaela moved from Sweden to the UK in 2010 and now lives in London with her husband and two children.
We'd love to hear from you, your thoughts or questions on listening to this episode
Get in touch with Michaela at The Thomas Connection or via Instagram
Or with me..
@truthbook instagram
@truthbook Facebook
Email Kathryn

My guest is Dr Melanie Smart, a fellow Clinical Psychologist based in Chichester, West Sussex. Melanie works with children up to 18 years, many of whom have an ADHD diagnosis. And it was through this work that she started wondering if she also had ADHD. The young people would bring their school reports in and she'd read them thinking, hang on, that could be mine. Melanie pursued a diagnosis and describes it as being a game changer.

She now specialises in working with ADHD high masking girls and is passionate about shifting the focus from the child who has to change and fit into a traditional educational model to changes in the environment, the context and how we support them.

We'd love to hear your thoughts or questions on listening to the episode.

Get in touch with Melanie...
Chichester Child Psychology
Facebook
Linked In

Or with me...
@truthbook instagram
@truthbook Facebook
Email Kathryn

My guest Adam Sutherland, is a renowned Scottish Fiddler and award winning composer with his tunes being played around the world. He is also a highly sought after teacher both in Scotland and beyond including America, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Adam was diagnosed with ADHD in 2018, following which he felt 'life started making sense'. He was able to be more compassionate towards himself.
His wife Emma also joins us in this episode, sharing her perspective.
We'd love to hear your thoughts or questions on listening to this episode...
Get in touch with Adam @adamsutherland
Or
@truthbook instagram
@truthbook Facebook
Email Kathryn

Dr Kathryn Smith, Clinical Psychologist, has invited 5 guests to talk about their ADHD experience. They each provide an illuminating perspective and allow you to feel more connected as they share sad and heartwarming stories. You can connect with Kathryn via Truthbook Facebook page, Instagram Facebook or her website Lomond Psychology.

My guest is ultra runner, Jamie Aarons. On 26th June, 2023, Jamie became the fastest person to self propel herself round all 282 Munros (mountains over 3, 000 feet in Scotland) cycling and kayaking between them. She did it in 31 days, 10 hours and 27 minutes (12 hours faster than the previous record holder, Donnie Campbell). But her achievement has become so much more than the world record that she now holds.

Back at work as a Social Work advisor for the Scottish Government, I talk to Jamie today about the community spirit created around this event, the challenges she faced and the legacy she has created. I also speak to her friend Jenny and partner Andy who played key roles in the success of this challenge.

Read all about the challenge and sponsors at Jamie's Munro Challenge
And here: Fiona Outdoors
Follow Jamie on
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
Donate to World Bike Relief on her Just Giving Page
Cover photo courtesy of Stark Images