Navigating Neurodivergent Sensory Issues: ADHD and Autism-Friendly Tips for Cooking, PIP Forms, Talking to Medical Professionals and More. An interview with Lydia Wilkins.

Mind Vox

Lydia Wilkins is a freelance journalist, author and speaker, covering topics including disability, neurodivergence and social issues. She’s been featured in publications such as The Independent and The Metro.

Lydia is Autistic and has recently published a book called The Autism-Friendly Cookbook, for Autistic adults and teenagers to use on low-energy/ burnout days, or when needing inspiration.

The book contains 100 recipes, including modifications for those who are sensory seekers, sensory avoiders and those wanting new challenges.

Lydia has come onto the pod to talk about her own experience of Autism, and the sensory issues that can be part of both this and ADHD.

She will give some useful tips for managing sensory issues, including around the kitchen when trying to navigate cooking, especially on meltdown or shutdown days.

Lydia also has knowledge around the role of gender and eating disorders for Autistics, and strategies for parents trying to support their neurodivergent children’s needs.

This episode explores:

-Lydia’s personal journey to being diagnosed Autistic.

-How Lydia feels she is treated as an Autistic female by professionals.

-The traits that affect Lydia’s daily life, including sensory and socialising issues.

-Sensory Avoiders and Sensory Seekers: issues associated with Autism and ADHD, and what that means in the kitchen and eating.

-Ways to manage traits around eating for parents of neurodivergent children.

-Access issues in the kitchen, including interoception and proprioception.

-Adaptations that can be made to improve access issues.

-Lydia’s experience of the PIP process.

*Trigger warning*

Contains conversation about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Autism, ADHD, Chronic Pain, Disabilities, Mental Health, Thalidomide injuries, Long Covid, Shutdowns, Meltdowns and Eating Disorders.

Links

To send ideas for future episodes, or offer to be interviewed, please contact us on Instagram or email [email protected]

To donate to help the pod, find CashApp, Paypal & BuyMeACoffee options on our Linktree.

Lydia can be found on Instagram and Twitter.

The Autism-Friendly Cookbook can be bought here*.

Rebel Bodies by Sarah Graham can be found here*.

Find some Divided Plates and Separators* here.

Find Jar opener ideas here*.

ARFID Awareness UK

National Autistic Society

*aff links