For many, a positive diagnosis can feel like finding a missing piece that changes the entire picture. This information alone can create dramatic change to how a person is perceived, understood, and cared for by themselves and those around them ; open up strategies and treatment options that actually work; and reduce shame from years of wondering ‘why?’ without an answer.

E-Therapy is unable to provide formal assessments and diagnosis but we can provide pre-assessments to explore the possibility of ADHD and/or ASD and assist with differentiating ADHD/ASD traits from other disorders/conditions. We can also help determine whether getting an assessment is right for you, what options are available, and which would best suit your needs. We’ll be there to answer questions, help prepare you for your assessment, advocate on your behalf, debrief post-assessment, and support your continued development afterwards.

You can visit our FAQs page where we have provided more information about assessment options.

Knowledge about ADHD/ASD is necessary for the diagnosed person, those caring for someone who has been diagnosed, and individuals working with neurodivergent folks. Unfortunately, it’s common for little to no information to be provided to individuals and their families after receiving a diagnosis. This can lead to confusion and overwhelm; feelings of frustration and hopelessness; difficulty finding adequate support and navigating treatment challenges; and more shame and suffering. Part of the problem is the lack of healthcare providers with sufficient training and experience specific to ADHD/ASD, alongside prevalent misinformation and misunderstandings around ADHD/ASD.

At E-Therapy, our support provider can provide you with extensive information about ADHD/ASD and curated credible resources. Our goal is to have all your questions answered, for it to finally make sense, and for you to feel confident in your understanding of ADHD/ASD. You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of how your mind works and why; the different ways it manifests and impacts all areas of your life; and what actually helps.

Our practitioner is not only extensively trained and certified in ADHD and ASD support provision, she is also diagnosed with ADHD (possibly AuDHD). Elizabeth brings together her professional knowledge and personal understanding of ADHD and ASD to sessions by translating the clinical black-and-white text to real-life experiences and practical application.

ADHD and ASD are considered neurodevelopmental disorders that create quantitative differences in brain development and functioning in various areas.

Medication is often offered as the first course of action for ADHD. In comparison to other medications, it is considered one of the most effective, fast acting, and safest for treating what it is prescribed for. It also creates long lasting positive changes to neurodevelopment and brain structures.

The right medication can remove the need for extensive strategies and tools; improve other treatments such as therapy; help maintain mental and emotional regulation; increase productivity and improve mood; extend daily capacity and alter how your energy is delegated; reduce other mental health issues, and health and safety concerns.

While there is no specific medication for ASD, many are prescribed ADHD medication if they experience executive functioning challenges. Medication for managing anxiety is also very common for individuals with ASD.

Medication isn’t for everyone and some might find medication less necessary than others. It is an available option for individuals who find that they need additional assistance and are having difficulty managing without.

Medication can be a long confusing, frustrating, and scary journey especially when most individuals find their providers difficult to communicate with, time limited, and/or lacking familiarity with ADHD/ASD. Many give up before potentially finding the right medication because they lacked proper support and information. Our therapist can assist you with concerns regarding medication use, determining whether you’d benefit from medication, and locating the right provider. They can provide you information about the different types of medication available and how they work; common side effects and how to manage them; expected outcomes and intended effects; typical recommendations and how to maximize medication effectiveness. Furthermore, your therapist will be able to notice and bring to your attention when a medication or dose change may be needed, and can provide assistance communicating with your prescriber.

Pills don’t build skills or heal emotional wounds. ADHD/ASD greatly affects executive functioning, the likelihood of adverse life experiences, interpersonal relationships, and emotion regulation. Even after diagnosis, education, and medication, we can still be left with behaviours and coping strategies that may not be serving us anymore and scars from navigating a neurotypical-centered society as a neurodivergent person. Counselling and therapy can help with processing the past, developing healthy and effective tools your current self needs, and moving you into the future with positive sense of self.

Working with someone who specializes in ADHD/ASD support is beneficial because individuals with ADHD/ASD require specialized care. General techniques and approaches created by and for neurotypical folks are often ineffective for someone neurodivergent and sets them up for failure. Even if the concerns you’d like to discuss in therapy are not ADHD/ASD specific, it can still be beneficial to work with someone neuro-affirming and informed if you or those around you who are involved have ADHD/ASD.

Psychotherapists are covered by most insurance plans and can provide the same functions as a coach while also having the ability to explore how your past influences the present and provide support for a wide range of concerns. Therapy can also be helpful throughout various stages of life since we are always changing.

Neurodivergent individuals often experience more stressful life events, traumas, and challenges than their neurotypical counterparts. Many develop low self-esteem, rejection sensitivity, perfectionism, demand avoidance, mood disorders, emotion dysregulation, interpersonal issues and more. Psychotherapy is helpful for addressing these other issues that often co-occur with ADHD/ASD. A therapist can help you heal past wounds, process experiences, learn new techniques, develop an authentic sense of self, and live more mindfully.

If someone is interested in therapy and they’re diagnosed with ADHD/ASD, suspects they may have ADHD/ASD or have concerns related to someone with ADHD/ASD, it can be very helpful for them to work with a therapist who is ADHD-informed regardless of whether or not their concerns are specifically about ADHD management. This ensures that support is provided with an understanding of how issues with ADHD/ASD present are different, experienced differently, and need to be considered differently, and so interventions are specialized with that knowledge to be more effective.

Medication for anxiety, depression, and/or sleep issues can also be helpful for some individuals, as well as accommodations for school and work.