I’m a gay, “high-functioning” autistic with ADHD who loves geeky stuff like gaming, anime, and comics. I’m into art and design, as seen on my quirky website. I’m proud of who I am and have learned to embrace my unique qualities. My special interests include entrepreneurship and psychiatry. I hold a PhD in English and taught at Penn State for a decade, using my teaching background often. I’ve got a good sense of humor, even if my husband won’t admit it. I was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in my late 30s, and self-diagnosed autism after recognizing the symptoms. Coming out as autistic felt like a whole new experience after my teenage coming-out as gay, leading to various phases of “masking” in my life.
Since kindergarten, I’ve been passionate about improving mental health for myself and those around me. Growing up with a likely autistic and borderline personality disorder mother as well as a dad with unmanaged ADHD, I spent my life navigating neurodivergent challenges. When I felt disillusioned with academics, my husband encouraged me to pursue a career in mental health. Despite burnout and having a PhD, I enrolled in night classes for nursing school prerequisites. This journey taught me the power of persistence, shaping my belief that I can evolve into someone capable of things I can’t envision today.
Having been a patient in various mental health modalities and currently taking medications like Vyvanse, Adderall, and Wellbutrin, I can relate to my clients’ experiences. Specializing in ADHD and autism for the past few months has allowed me to focus on my niche, gaining insights into potential treatments and specific needs. Working extensively with clients within this niche throughout the day enhances my ability to share relevant experiences and successes, offering hope and encouragement to those facing similar challenges at different times.
