Returning to an in-patient mental health ward after two years in the community came as a shock. On one of the first days in my new role, disaster struck on my way home, in the form of a bike accident. A fractured rib made every movement painful, putting a screeching halt to my plans to bring to an …
January 2024
Working in the community I had flexibility to do my 37.5 hours around child care. With my new role based on a ward I am required to be on site for set hours per week. Doing 8-4pm I am generally the first into the office I share with 3 others. Being an early bird, after …
February 2024
One reason I really connect with VdTMoCA is that it not only helps me understand my patients better, it also helps me better understand who I am and how to manage my neurodiversity. For example, a key suggestion from the VdTMoCA to practitioners during patient assessments is to observe the individual engage in both familiar …
March 2024
Early in my career, I worked as an occupational therapist in a busy office with seven other colleagues. Looking back, I realise my neurodiversity made me more sensitive to that environment than perhaps a neurotypical person would have been. Working from home in the community team was a positive change but it did have its …
April 2024
This month I had my first big wobble day, where I really started to think the system I am part of is not working and can I stick this out? Every week I attend ward round, when the MDT and I see 6 patients, one by one, for a fortnightly review/catch up. On this particular …
May 2024
This month has brought many highs and lows. This has always been a common theme for me. The more I have learnt about neurodiversity, its traits and potential strategies, the more ability I have to accept that this is a part me. “People with neurodivergent characteristics have a richer tapestry of experiences thanks to their …
June 2024
As a human being it is natural in the course of my day to day life to make mistakes, or to not to be able to respond to situations in the way I wish to. Sometimes I even make good decisions, like creating this blog and finding the time to maintain it. This blog has …