{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks","title":"Episode 89: Lia Lawton","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1811,"description":"Welcome to episode #89! We’re thrilled to be joined by Lia Lawton today.\n\nLia Lawton is a neurodivergent psychologist and psychosexual therapist, passionate about helping clients explore intimacy, communication, and relationships in ways that are authentic to their unique neurotypes. She runs Fine Sanctuary, a private practice that provides therapy for ADHD, autism, and sexual health concerns.\nDiagnosed with ADHD in her late 20s, Lia understands firsthand the challenges of masking, late diagnosis, and navigating relationships as a neurodivergent adult. She is also working on developing neurodivergent-friendly tech tools to support better communication and connection.\nIn this episode, we dive into how ADHD and autism affect relationships, intimacy, emotional regulation, and self-acceptance.\nWelcome to the show, Lia!\nQuestions\n\n\nJN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?\nLate 20s—her dad was diagnosed first and encouraged her to get assessed\nHad struggled with dyscalculia (number dyslexia) in school but wasn’t identified as neurodivergent\nADHD traits were dismissed in school as “lazy” or “talking too much”\nJN: What was school like for you growing up?\nThrived in primary school but struggled after transitioning to a larger, all-girls school\nWas misunderstood and labeled as lazy, leading to complete withdrawal\nA teacher once wrote in a report: \"Lia handed in no work this year. Good luck for year 11.\"\nJN: What was your career path before psychology?\nWorked in event management, nightclubs, and the strip club industry\nLoved fast-paced, high-stimulation environments that suited her ADHD brain\nA bad therapy experience led her to return to university to study psychology\nJC: How did getting diagnosed with ADHD change things for you?\nMedication was life-changing, but not a complete fix\nHelped level the playing field but still required additional strategies\nFound alternative supports like binaural beats and heavy metal music for focus\nJC: How do ADHD and autism...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/QZFZQrtBSDhon7MItX8a5mQvkXQ5KKmI2fe6dyhM72o/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMzNDE3LzE2NjEw/NjYyOTYtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}