How An AuDHD Diagnosis Can Change Your Life
A Conversation with Simon Arnold
As parents navigating the intricate landscape of neurodevelopmental differences, we often seek insights that resonate deeply, offering both understanding and validation. This week on the Water Prairie Chronicles, I had the privilege of speaking with Simon Arnold, the host of “AuDHD ME and MO The Podcast,” whose personal journey of receiving an adult diagnosis of both Autism and ADHD provides a uniquely powerful lens for the Water Prairie audience.
The Quest for Understanding: When the Pieces Finally Click
Simon’s story is one that many can relate to, even if their journey is different. From a young age, he felt an inherent “difference,” a sense that something wasn’t quite aligned. Yet, the path to understanding remained elusive for decades. It wasn’t until his own son was diagnosed with ADHD in 2015, and a list of 20 revealing questions from his wife, that Simon began to truly see himself reflected in the descriptions of ADHD.
What followed was a revelation. Simon describes his AuDHD diagnosis as “the best thing in my whole life,” a moment where he “came online for the very first time, with clarity.” This wasn’t just about a label; it was about connecting the dots of a lifetime, understanding past struggles, and embracing a newfound sense of self. He shared how the right medication literally opened up new cognitive pathways, allowing him to experience memory recall and focus in ways he never had before – even enabling him to read a book cover-to-cover for the very first time.
Beyond the AuDHD Diagnosis: Insights for Parents
While Simon’s experience is deeply personal, the wisdom he shared is incredibly valuable for parents raising children with ADHD and Autism:
- Trust Your Instincts (and Seek Outside Perspective): Simon highlighted that he couldn’t “see” his own ADHD without external input. This underscores the importance of parental observation and seeking professional evaluation when you sense your child might be struggling or experiencing things differently.
- Embrace Their Authentic Self: Simon’s profound advice – “Don’t expect them to be the person that you want them to be” – is a powerful reminder to cherish and support our children for who they are, not who we might wish them to be.
- Understanding “Quiet”: Simon offered a beautiful perspective on the inner world of neurodivergent children. He explained that a child’s quietness might not be a deficit, but a sign of a rich inner life, like his “inner voice” he calls “Mo.” He even used the analogy of a “dog whistle” for communication with mute autistic children, suggesting there’s far more understanding happening than meets the eye.
- Medication Awareness and Advocacy: Simon shared a crucial and sobering experience with his son’s medication, leading to the vital takeaway: be incredibly vigilant about medication side effects, and don’t hesitate to advocate for your child if something feels wrong. Your child’s well-being is paramount.
A Deeper Dive: Continue the Conversation
Our interview with Simon on the Water Prairie Chronicles offered a fascinating glimpse into his journey and provided invaluable insights. But that’s not the end of our conversation!
Simon and I continued our discussion on his podcast, “AuDHD ME and MO The Podcast,” where I had the opportunity to share my own experiences as a parent of a child with ADHD and my work as an IEP Coach. You won’t want to miss how these two perspectives intertwine and offer even more practical guidance.
Don’t miss a single moment of this insightful dialogue!
- Listen to Simon’s journey on the Water Prairie Chronicles here: https://waterprairie.com/2025/05/24/audhd/
- Continue the conversation and hear my interview on “AuDHD ME and MO The Podcast” here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tPlz062PNZQ2KS7By1QhB?si=aShZstx5TK-DzFnJBGXLgg
I encourage you to listen to both episodes to gain a comprehensive understanding of neurodiversity from multiple, deeply personal angles. Your journey as a parent is unique, but shared insights can light the way.
