Translating ADHD

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the unique ways people with ADHD experience friendships and social interactions. They emphasize the importance of being intentional about the types of friendships and social situations that truly fulfill and energize you. Both hosts share personal stories illustrating their differing social preferences. They highlight that understanding your own needs and communication styles can help you cultivate relationships that support and nourish you rather than drain you.



They also discuss common challenges such as managing expectations around communication, dealing with social anxiety, and coping with overstimulation. Both encourage listeners to embrace their authentic social selves, whether introverted or extroverted, and to set boundaries that honor their rhythms. The episode underscores the value of friendships that accept neurodivergent traits without judgment and the importance of mutual flexibility. Ultimately, Asher and Dusty invite listeners to rethink traditional social norms and find what genuinely works for their ADHD brains in building meaningful connections.



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In this episode of the Translating ADHD podcast, Ash and Dusty dive into the diverse ways ADHD manifests in individuals, including their own experiences. Both diagnosed with combined type ADHD, Dusty leans more hyperactive while Ash leans inattentive, leading to strikingly different challenges and coping mechanisms. Dusty shares her "ready, fire, aim" approach, embracing complexity and constant activity, whereas Ash describes his struggle with inaction and getting stuck in neutral. They discuss how these differences influence their daily lives, time management, decision-making, and social engagement, emphasizing that ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all condition.



The hosts highlight the importance of personalized coaching and self-experimentation in managing ADHD effectively. They caution against generic advice found on social platforms and stress the value of curiosity and adaptability in discovering individual solutions. By sharing their contrasting experiences and strategies, Ash and Dusty illustrate how coaching encourages people with ADHD to understand their unique profiles and engineer approaches that fit their lifestyles, ultimately fostering empowerment rather than frustration.



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Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.


About Asher and Dusty



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Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode


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Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the complex balance between showing up authentically as a neurodivergent person and the social accommodations necessary for healthy personal relationships. They unpack the nuanced difference between masking (hiding or changing one’s personality to fit in) and modulating (adapting communication and behavior appropriately to different social contexts). The conversation highlights how neurodivergent people often struggle with black-and-white thinking about authenticity, while real-life social interactions require constant give-and-take, consent, and mutual accommodation.



Asher and Dusty also share personal experiences from their working relationship to illustrate concepts of regulating emotions and modulating behavior. They emphasize the importance of ownership of one’s neurodivergent traits alongside understanding the impact those traits have on others. The episode underscores that successful relationships rely on clear communication, willingness to adapt, and recognizing individual capacities for accommodation — all within a foundation of growing intimacy and trust.



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Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.


About Asher and Dusty



For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:


Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode


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Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty continue their conversation on social skills by focusing on advocacy and adaptation in the workplace for neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the challenges ADHD and autism can pose in professional settings, especially when colleagues and managers lack understanding of neurodiversity. Through client stories and personal experiences, they illustrate how behaviors like asking many questions or seeming disruptive can be misunderstood and lead to negative consequences, including job loss. They emphasize the importance of awareness about how neurodivergent traits show up and are perceived, as well as the need for workplace accommodations that go beyond task-related adjustments to include communication and social dynamics.



The hosts also explore practical strategies for adaptation and self-advocacy, such as developing awareness of unwritten workplace rules, using clear communication about one’s working style, and collaborating with supportive managers who can provide backing and help set boundaries. They highlight the value of understanding “what’s yours, mine, and ours” in workplace conflict to identify where change is possible. Ultimately, Asher and Dusty stress that while some environments may be untenable, there are workplaces where neurodivergent strengths can be valued and flourished. The episode closes with the reminder that strength and challenge often go hand in hand, and cultivating intentional awareness helps individuals navigate and leverage their unique traits effectively in different contexts.



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CADDAC Workplace Accommodations Chart



For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:


Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode


Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD


Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com

In this episode of Translating ADHD, Asher and Dusty explore the complex balance between adapting social behavior and advocating for oneself as a neurodivergent person, especially within the context of ADHD. They emphasize the distinction between harmful masking and healthy adaptation, underscoring the importance of choice in how one shows up socially. Dusty introduces the concept of “intimacy buckets” to help listeners understand social boundaries and appropriate sharing depending on the type of relationship, a framework she found highly useful for building social awareness.



The conversation shifts to the workplace, where navigating social expectations can have significant economic consequences for neurodivergent individuals. Both hosts acknowledge how difficult it can be to find or create inclusive environments but stress the importance of awareness, social skills, and advocacy under the protection of disability accommodations when possible. They also highlight the harsh reality that sometimes adaptation is necessary for survival in non-inclusive settings.



Episode links + resources:


Join the Community | Become a Patron


Our Process: Understand, Own, Translate.


About Asher and Dusty



For more of the Translating ADHD podcast:


Episode Transcripts: visit TranslatingADHD.com and click on the episode


Follow us on Twitter: @TranslatingADHD


Visit the Website: TranslatingADHD.com