Talking Neurodiversity
Three of LionHeart’s ambassadors have filmed short videos sharing their experiences of getting diagnosed as neurodivergent as adults – and what it has meant for their daily lives as surveyors.
The three stories are being shared this week to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week. We asked each to share a little about the lead-up to their diagnosis and how that felt, what things they find help them – and what they wish more people understood about neurodivergent conditions.
Jemma
"I felt like I was getting to know myself all over again."
Building surveyor and LionHeart ambassador Jemma Booton shares what it has been like getting to grips with an autism diagnosis at the age of 26.
Jason
"I started getting a lot less stress, less anxiety, my productivity increased exponentially - I was just much happier."
When Jason Ratcliffe was diagnosed with autism, it prompted him to make changes to his life and work environment which had a dramatic effect on his mental health and working life.
Mandy
“It was almost overnight that I felt like the wheels had fallen off. It was horrific.”
Residential surveyor Mandy Spenceley was diagnosed with ADHD after a change in her HRT regime caused a massive escalation in her symptoms, almost overnight.
She describes some of the coping mechanisms she’s put in place - and the one word she hates when it comes to discussing neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is seen as an opportunity to challenge stereotypes by celebrating the skills of people with neurological differences – and to encourage workplaces and training or education providers to think about how they can embrace neurodiversity.
In recent years, LionHeart has supported an increasing number of surveyors with dyslexia, autism and ADHD – particularly those who were diagnosed later in life as adults.
- Find other resources and ways that LionHeart can offer support on our Neurodiversity page.
