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ADHD reWired

548 | Wait... We're AuDHD?

ADHD reWired

Eric Tivers, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP

Education, Productivity, Self, Calendar, Function, Podcast, Brain, Adhdcoach, Hyperactivity, Accountability, Deficit, Goals, Disorder, Chadd, Health & Fitness, Therapy, Cognitive, Tech, Rewired, Expert, Medication, Coaching, Success, Adult, Clinical, Psychology, Consulting, Health, Mental, Mind, Specialties, Tivers, Gtd, Time, Executive, Gadgets, Mentalhealth, Adhd, Apps, Add, Treatment, Behavior, Executivefunction, Adda, Attention, Focus, Help, Learn, Strategies, Counseling, Cbt, Mental Health, Grow, Improve, Tips, Addcoach

4.7919 Ratings

🗓️ 7 April 2025

⏱️ 83 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What happens when two ADHDers realize there's more to the story? In this deeply personal and exploratory episode, Eric is joined by his friend and fellow coach, Portia Jackson Preston, for an honest, vulnerable, and unmasked conversation about discovering—later in life—that they’re not just ADHD… they're also autistic. April is Autism Acceptance Month and there’s no better time to peel back the layers. Eric and Portia share their parallel journeys of exploring what it means to be AuDHD, how autism was hiding in plain sight for both of them, and how late diagnosis is reshaping their self-understanding, their relationships, their parenting, and their work. Together, they unpack: What unmasking looks like—and feels like—especially when it's not a conscious choice Why self-diagnosis is valid and often necessary How intersecting identities impact recognition and diagnosis The grief and growth that come with seeing your past through a new lens Why autistic burnout hit both of them so hard (and what they’re doing now to recover) And how this shift is impacting their businesses, boundaries, and sense of self You’ll also hear about how EMDR therapy played a pivotal role in both of their journeys, how the Johari Window concept reframed Eric’s understanding of his blind spots, and how reconnecting with their full, authentic selves has allowed for deeper joy—even in the weirdest places (like dancing at a Phish show with hand flaps in full glory). This is the kind of conversation that gives others permission to explore, to question, and to be. 👉 Related links & resources: Portia Jackson Preston on Instagram: 🎧 Takeaways: Unmasking isn’t a one-time event—it’s a process. Late diagnosis can be both a relief and a reckoning. Self-compassion isn’t optional; it’s a survival tool. You don’t have to prove your neurodivergence to anyone. It’s okay to change. It’s okay to grieve. And it’s okay to rest.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

The more visible we are about the ups and downs, the highs and lows of our process,

0:04.9

the safer it becomes for other people to own all of who they are.

0:08.7

Because we don't unmask just so that we can come get into the ADHD mask.

0:14.0

ADHD rewired episode 548.

0:18.5

Since 2014, this has been the podcast for ADHD adults who have really good intentions

0:24.5

and a slightly wandering attention. I'm Eric Tivers. I'm a licensed clinical social worker by

0:29.5

training and a coach by design. I'm your host and I have ADHD. ADHD rewired is more than just

0:36.4

a podcast. You can learn about our coaching and

0:38.7

accountability groups, our virtual co-working community, and more. All at ADHD rewired.com.

0:45.4

We are wired for connection and you are not alone. Learn more about our offerings, including

0:50.7

our monthly live Q&As, get additional resources for every episode, including links to any resources we mentioned on today's show.

0:58.2

You could support us on Patreon, sign up for our email newsletter, and more, all at ADHD rewired.com.

1:05.8

And if this is your first time listening, welcome.

1:08.8

Don't forget to hit subscribe or follow on your podcast app so you

1:12.3

never miss an episode. We know this starting is the hardest part, so let's get started.

1:18.2

Hey, I am really excited for you to hear today's episode. It is a bit of a longer show, but I think

1:24.4

you're going to really want to listen all the way through. It is Autism Awareness Month or Autism Acceptance Month.

1:31.0

Today's conversation is with Portia Preston, who was a friend of mine that I made last year at the

1:37.9

Chad conference.

1:39.4

And we discuss the kind of unmasking and learning that we're not just ADHD or autistic too.

1:49.7

This conversation is very sort of exploratory.

1:52.4

We're both asking each other questions.

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