Julie Legg is joined by Randi-Lee Bowslaugh, a Canadian author, former competitive kickboxer, and mental health advocate. Diagnosed with autism later in life, Randi-Lee brings clarity to the lived and shared experiences that often fall between diagnostic cracks - emotional regulation struggles, sensory sensitivities, people-pleasing, and chronic exhaustion from masking.
This conversation highlights a growing reality: many women are missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood when it comes to ADHD and/or autism diagnosis. This episode is an, insightful listen for anyone exploring where they may sit on the neurodivergent spectrum - especially those who resonate with both ADHD and autism traits.
Key Points from the Episode:
- How a child’s diagnosis can be a mirror. Randi-Lee only began to explore her own neurodivergence after advocating for her daughter
- The overlapping traits of ADHD and autism in women, including:
- Emotional overwhelm
- Sensory sensitivities (noise, texture, unexpected touch)
- Social burnout and masking
- Executive dysfunction hidden behind high achievement
- Why so many women go undiagnosed due to people-pleasing, perfectionism, and internalised expectations
- Routines as lifelines – Randi-Lee shares how disrupting even small routines can completely throw off her sense of calm
- Her experience with depression, misdiagnosis, and the importance of treating co-occurring conditions alongside neurodivergence
- Creativity as expression and therapy – from writing books to producing an indie film based on her brother’s mental health journey
- A powerful reminder that “being different doesn’t mean being broken”
Links:
- LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randileebowslaugh/
- WEBSITE: http://www.rbwriting.ca
- AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3LNbuCy
- YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSTmVQUW8K8r1sBDchLyTwA?sub_confirmation=1
- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rbwriting
- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/randileebowslaugh
- TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@randileebowslaugh
Thanks for listening.
- Visit ADHDifference.nz to find past episodes, videos, links, or to say hello!
- Get social with us on Instagram
- Julie Legg is the author of The Missing Piece: A Woman's Guide to Understanding, Diagnosing and Living with ADHD
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