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My name is Heidi and I am a UK based ADHD Coach - with ADHD! A little bit about me:
I am a big fan of charity shops, movies, music, crafts, sewing and photography. I love to try new foods (sensory friendly haha), and as silly as it may sound I know what my favourite colours are: Red, Turquoise, Black, Royal Blue and White. I have a love affair with Converses, Dr Martens, velvet and denim, all of which I love to wear and sew with!
I love a project from up cycling furniture to learning a new skill! I am currently busy learning Procreate, and planning to try some fun new things in 2024 including learning the keyboard, a holiday and some more digital design/work projects and of course more learn much much more about ADHD!
Firstly - It is still crazy to me that I am writing this as a self employed ADHD/AuDHD Coach when not so long ago, I was stuck and miserable with no confidence or energy in any aspect of my life, I didn't know anything about myself at all. I just felt like I was living the same day over, I was doomed to be stuck In the same place, with the same job alone and unhappy - not socialising, travelling, or do anything with my life. No matter how many times I kept trying to 'start fresh on Monday' and telling myself that "I was going to make things better" each day kept rolling around with the same challenges despite trying my hardest for change! I felt like a failure..... (Now I know that was RSD!)
I was lucky though - I had managed to maintain a job and keep a roof over my head (and my lovely fur support cat - Tiger!), but I had no idea that in doing this, I was constantly masking, and overworking my brain and my body - in a self sabotage cycle of overwhelm and burnout caused by my ADHD.
Heidi Smith - ADHD Coach & CEO | Neuro-Stitch
Getting diagnosed was really challenging! I didn't believe that I had ADHD for a long time... It wasn't until I was re-introduced to what ADHD could actually look like, both in person and from seeing others on social media during Covid who were sharing there ADHD stories!
When I did come round to the idea and recognised it, I had to push to be screened - and don't get me wrong, my GP is honestly the most lovely person, but when you have a 'history' of mental health diagnosis and the stereotype/lack of studies in to ADHD and different ways it presents - how was she going to know that it could be something that shows up for me!?
I got screened over a series of appointments before I was referred for diagnosis - I scored 97/100 on the screening alone... and I started believing that maybe I wasn't an imposter! After just under a year (I got in just at the right time) I was diagnosed with combined type ADHD - with severe inattentive traits alongside internal hyperactivity. I literally broke down with happy tears, full on ugly crying over video call to the doctor... I finally had my answer, I hadn't been 'faking' it! I shared the news with family and some close friends... but as the initial elation wore off - things began to feel a bit real....
I was scared to tell people, what if I got treated badly/isolated because of this label... I hate labels anyway but the stereotype/bias that I felt when I first got diagnosed was strong! But when I started meeting other people like me, and got introduced to the community - I felt accepted, validated and like I belonged!
I had a long wait before I was able to go through titration and try medication - I was reluctant at first because I was scared of what the impact of the drugs would have on me, and my body, but the worst fear was "What if they don't work?". I needed a plan of what to do next just in case... and now I had the 'label' - surely there was support for me? e.g. therapy, councilling, or a plan to teach me about ADHD and how to move forward? But when I asked, there wasn't!? I was relying on my own learning, research, and the neurospicy community to guide me via social media, groups and friends/family. I re-directed my research on to strategies and ways to live with ADHD and how I could help myself. I started making small changes to my lifestyle that prioritised my energy levels and capacity for tasks/situations, and as I saw the benefits I started being a lot more forgiving of myself - and my past. I still felt like I needed more and that's when I found out about ADHD Coaching!
I have always loved helping others - and always liked the concept of coaching, and it clicked - I had to be a part of bridging the gap between being diagnosed and post diagnosis support/learning. I was going to be the person that I needed when I got diagnosed, and share my knowledge and skills so that others won't have to suffer like I did.
I felt like a switch had gone off in my body and my brain - there is an unknown amount of people who have absolutely no idea that they have ADHD or are neurodivergent. They might be feeling like I was - they could be feeling even worse, and I couldn't stand by and let that happen!
I was lucky and found that ADHD was a special interest and by learning I could - raise awareness, educate myself and others, and by sharing my experiences - I could help others to get answers and drive change to get the support the neurospicy community deserve and need!
Support needs to be accessible and easy to access - a one stop shop of support and knowledge and someone to help guide you on this journey so having discovered ADHD Coaching - I retrained, and now I am bridging the gap in pre/post diagnosis support for ADHDers. Which is exactly the type of support that I needed when I found out about my ADHD!
Having retrained as a coach, I could channel my love of ADHD, creativity, learning etc in to ADHD Coaching which is actively helping people. Whether diagnosed or self diagnosed with ADHD, I get to help you to become an ADHD detective! I help you understand how your unique brain works, and find out what is you, and what is ADHD - and create a 'You-ser' manual so you have an instruction manual that works specifically for you!
Even as a coach myself - I still have ADHD Coaching too because it benefits me and helps me to stay accountable and balanced!
I may have the knowledge and understanding to help/coach others - but it is really difficult sometimes to apply to yourself. I recently got awarded Access to Work - the Gov UK grant, which is paying for my coaching so if you haven't applied - check out the link above for more information!
It has been the best and most challenging thing I have done. I have finally found the answers I needed - and now I have built my own business!
I have worked with Leanne Maskell at ADHD Works as an in-house coach, and collaborate regularly with some amazing ADHD and Coaches on the side who I am beyond grateful and proud to work with!
Watch this space, I am excited to see what I get to do next!
Love Heidi xo - ADHD, Life & Workplace Strategy Coach and CEO of Neuro-Stitch!
Heidi Smith - ADHD Coach & CEO | Neuro-Stitch
The name 'Neuro-Stitch' popped into my head a few months after I was first diagnosed with ADHD and I instantly loved it! I wrote it in down in one of my many notebooks (so I wouldn't forget!), and started drawing potential logos - never thinking in a million years I might do something with it! But I feel like the unmasked Heidi, hidden inside me knew that I would!
Neuro-Stitch combines two passionate interests:
1. The unique ways of working for each person's brain and how these differences can impact each of us positively and negatively - making it my mission to 'fix the problem by bridging the gap!'.
2. My love of creativity and problem solving, especially in my projects and hobbies like sewing - hence stitching together clues!
Together they symbolise the need to bring together information and understanding which is unique to each person and their brain - factoring in passions, motivations, interests, strengths and challenges - avoiding the one size fits all/suits all narrative to help all people (especially ADHDers), as individuals and in society to live happy and thriving lives!
REMEMBER - YOU'VE GOT THIS! XO
The O in neuro is based on a Neuron. Neurons are the pathways that carry signals through the brain and our bodies, via the central nervous system that controls how we move, think and feel - which has a big impact on our Executive Functions.
Neuro-transmitters including Dopamine (which is a chemical in the brain linked to ADHD) are carried through Neurons which are responsible for helping us focus, engage with people/tasks, process information, emotional regulation, energy (spoons) recall memories, guide conceptualising/perspective and drive intersts/reward systems to name a few.
I chose the colours in the logo based on some of my favourite colours - but wanted my brand to be colourful and fun, but neurodivergent friendly and accessible, to appeal to neurodivergent brains!
If you are employed/self-employed and a UK citizen, you could get free Gov UK funding called Access to Work which can pay for ADHD Coaching with someone like me and more!
There is more info on the GOV Uk site - it takes 5 mins to apply! We can have a cuppa and a catch up to talk through Coaching and Access to Work Funding to.
Contact therearenosillyquestions@neuro-stitch.com for more information on how I can help