This talk with guest speaker Dr Tom Nicholson will explore one of the most talked about topics in the neurodiversity space: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria [RSD].

Often defined as the ‘intense emotional pain in response to actual or perceived criticism or rejection’, RSD is a common difficulty which many people find incredibly difficult to live with and experience.

Research tells us that neurodivergent people, specifically those who are autistic, ADHD or AuDHDers, can struggle at menopause, a major reproductive transition that affects anyone assigned female at birth.

Menopause isn't just something that happens in the ovaries: it is a neurological transition with profound effects on the brain and felt throughout the body. Professor Julie Gamble-Turner and Dr Rachel Moseley will explore why menopause poses challenges for neurodivergent people, drawing on their research and their book to explain what kinds of difficulties people might face and how they might best be supported.

Are you a woman with ADHD who has been told you’re too much, not enough, or simply difficult?

Many women and AFAB people spend years being overlooked or misunderstood, especially when ADHD interacts with hormonal shifts across puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.

This session focuses on the interaction of hormones and ADHD for girls and women, why so many have been missed, and what happens when fluctuating hormones amplify overwhelm, emotional intensity, and cognitive load.