17 Neurodivergent in Academia: Finding Balance & Building Belonging

What does it look like to navigate academia as a neurodivergent woman — and a mother — in a system that wasn’t designed for you?

In this episode of ADHD Late to Know, we explore the lived experience of ADHD, autism, and dyslexia in academic environments, through the lens of identity, motherhood, and professional belonging.

This is a real, reflective and insightful conversation about the challenges — and reasonable adjustments — of being neurodivergent in high-performance, structured systems.

We explore:

• The experience of ADHD, autism and dyslexia in academia

• The added layer of motherhood and invisible load

• Burnout, energy management, and sustainability

• Finding balance in a system that doesn’t naturally support neurodivergence

• The importance of psychological safety and belonging in academic spaces

This episode speaks to a wider conversation around adult ADHD, autism, neurodivergent women, and professional belonging — and what needs to change to create more inclusive environments.

If you’re a neurodivergent woman, working in academia, or navigating ADHD or autism as an adult, this episode will help you feel seen — and remind you that the system isn’t always built for your brain, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong in it.

Dr Alix Dietzel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-alix-dietzel-63029625/

Instagram: @dr_alixdietzel