My name is Alex Stanley. I am autistic and have ADHD and anxiety. While I’ve lived with autism and ADHD my whole life, my anxiety developed during high school. Over time, I’ve discovered several ways to navigate daily life as a neurodivergent person, and I’d like to share some of them with you.
My biggest tip is that music is your friend. Since I'm the opposite of rich, my best advice is to check out CDs from your local library. You can even use an Interlibrary Loan to have CDs sent from other branches!
I usually 'rip' my CDs to build a huge digital collection—in fact, I’m listening to music while writing this. If you don't have a CD player, I recommend the KLIM Discover. It has Bluetooth for headphones and an FM transmitter for your car radio. If you’d rather go digital, Spotify Premium is great, especially with the student discount that includes Hulu. And if you’re a nerd like me, you can use an old laptop and your music collection to build an mStream Music Server.
Another thing I’ve found incredibly helpful is making lists. I’ve found two effective ways to do this:
If I’m at my desk, I find pen and paper to be the absolute best. However, if I’m out and about and can't (or don't want to) voice record, typing it into my phone is the next best thing. Also, if you have the time and space for it, I highly recommend using a paper planner over digital options like Google Calendar.
My next tip is to build a strong support network. I rely on my mom, my sister, and my two therapists. If you don't have a personal circle yet, or if you just need extra support, resources like the Crisis Text Line and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available.
It’s important to know these aren't just for 'life-ending' crises. They are there for any moment you feel overwhelmed—whether you're having a panic attack, spiraling from anxiety, or just need help getting grounded again. The point is to always reach out and ask for help whenever you don't feel mentally, emotionally, or physically stable.
I've found that too much screen time on a phone can lead to overstimulation, making me want to quit technology altogether. Since that isn't a realistic solution, I’ve found that assigning 'roles' to my devices works best:
Using my devices this way helps me stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.