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Do Our Hormones Impact Neurodivergent Traits?

Neurodivergence and the menstrual cycle?

Sounds like a cool band name, right?

Well, it’s also a band I’m now officially part of...

Last year, I finally had the missing piece of the puzzle confirmed.

👉 I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD.

It's been a wild ride, filled with a rollercoaster of emotions.

From gaslighting myself and doubting whether I truly identified with these conditions to finally, after a lengthy process, getting confirmation from six professionals that this was indeed my truth.

It’s one thing to think you might have the answers, but quite another to have them confirmed in black and white.

After a moment of elation that I wasn’t going mad, I was hit with a wave of grief.

Grief for a life that could have been (it wasn’t something even recognised in girls when I was at school).
Grief for the horrible relationships and situations I should never have experienced.
Grief for all the support I should have had but never got.
Grief for a life spent masking.

It winded me.

I've been processing this for the last year, and one thing kept coming back to me over and over.

👉 Cyclical living has been a huge coping strategy for me.

Working with our internal rhythms allows us to set boundaries with our time and energy.

It helps us build in regular self-care (and no, I’m not just talking bubble baths, I mean real self-care like rest, nutrition, sleep, and movement).

This is a bloody brilliant thing for anyone with a period, but ESPECIALLY for those who are neurodivergent.

So, after my ah-ha moment 5 years ago and integrating cyclical living into my life, I still experienced (what I thought were) periods of low moods and panic attacks. Even though they were greatly reduced, they never completely left.

And that always baffled me. 😁

How could I know so much and still have these moments?

Now I realise... it was autistic burnout and meltdowns.

I finally have the full picture.

Obviously, I went down the hyper-focus rabbit hole of my own neurodivergence and merged it with my years of working with hormones and cyclical living.

Because hormones DO greatly impact autistic and ADHD traits.

So, I am very, VERY excited to announce that this will be an addition to what I currently offer and will definitely feature in my workshops.

And even more excitingly, I’ve been working behind the scenes to build my newest FREEBIE...

The Neuro Spicy Cyclical Trait Tracker.

If you or anyone in your world is neurodivergent, please give this a try.

It has been VERY revealing for me and the lovely folks I’ve had trialling it.

Which leads me to my next thought...

“How can workplaces better support the menstrual health of autistic people?”

As someone who juggles both autism and menstrual health, I’ve experienced first-hand how tricky this intersection can be.

When my period hits, the combination of cramps and bloating is a sensory nightmare.

Energy is lower, so resources are lower...

And executive function is... non-functioning.

Space, quiet and low lighting are my go-to's!

The brain fog is real, and it leads to decision paralysis faster than you can say, “Bring me my weighted blanket, noise-cancelling headphones and sensory light.”

Low energy and sensory sensations can make things pretty overwhelming, pretty fast.

👉 That’s one of the reasons I take the first three days of my period off social media.

When you barely have the resources to fuel your day-to-day functioning, you certainly don't need to layer on the overwhelming feeling of having to show up online.

I recommend this for anyone during their period, but especially for those with a neurodivergent brain.

Hidden disabilities can be deceiving.

You might look like a “functioning person” on the outside, but inside, it can feel like your body is screaming while your brain races through three million thoughts at once.

Just one more request can be the tipping point.

This is why accommodations at work and flexible working arrangements can make all the difference.

Here are my three key recommendations...

Flexible Working Hours

Allowing employees to adjust their start and finish times can make a world of difference.

Not everyone needs a full day off!

Sometimes, just a bit of flexibility around hours and breaks is enough to manage menstrual health without sacrificing opportunities that would otherwise be missed.

👉 The key is always to ask the question...

What support do you need?

People shouldn’t be penalised or held back from opportunities or promotions because they need different accommodations to shine.

Sensory-Friendly Spaces

Neurodivergent people spend a lot of their time masking, so having a sensory-friendly area means they won’t end up burning out in a puddle when they get home.

Create quiet, low-lit areas where employees can retreat when they need a break from sensory overload.

This can significantly reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and help maintain focus throughout the day.

Open Conversations

Make sure conversations about menstrual health and neurodivergence are welcomed.

Practice active listening and encourage team members to share their needs without judgment.

👉 Remember, for neurodivergent peeps, decision-making may be challenging when resources are lower, so offering a few options to kick off the conversation can be really helpful.

Everybody deserves to experience their period with dignity and be accommodated in a workplace that truly values all bodies and experiences.

When we create supportive environments, everyone wins!

If you haven’t yet disclosed neurodivergence or a chronic condition to your workplace, I’d highly recommend considering it!

It can open the door to valuable accommodations.

So, I’ve put together a few resources to help, including a template letter (you just need to fill in the blanks, plus information on applying for Access to Work.

Found this helpful?

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It’s a weekly dose of real talk about menstrual wellness, neurodivergence, work, moods, and menstrual mojo... without all the boring bits.

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