Neurodivergent Disorders

By Donna Burfield – Joy & Purpose Coaching Far too often, obsessive compulsive disorder is minimised with throwaway phrases like “I’m a bit OCD about cleaning,” but real OCD is nothing like this.   OCD can be distressing, intrusive, exhausting, and incredibly isolating. It affects the mind, body, relationships, and day-to-day life. OCD is also treatable, and with the right understanding and support, anyone living with OCD can reclaim their confidence, peace, and sense of safe

By Donna Burfield - Joy & Purpose Coaching   Some people move through the world effortlessly, filtering sounds, lights, textures, smells, and movement without a second thought. For others, everyday environments can feel overwhelming, too loud, too bright, too chaotic, too fast, or, in some cases, not stimulating enough.   This is the lived experience of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).   SPD isn’t a behavioural issue, attention problem, or a lack of resilience. It’s a neuro

By Donna Burfield - Joy & Purpose Coaching   Tourette’s Syndrome is one of the most misunderstood neurodevelopmental conditions. People often picture dramatic vocal outbursts or media stereotypes, but the reality is far broader, far more nuanced, and far more human than most people realise.   Tourette’s is not a behavioural problem. It’s not attention-seeking, and it has nothing to do with intelligence or capability.   Tourette’s is a neurological difference that causes invol

By Donna Burfield - Joy & Purpose Coaching   Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is far more common than many people realise, yet still widely misunderstood. For children, teenagers, and adults living with dyspraxia, everyday tasks that others take for granted can feel physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting.   This isn’t about clumsiness. It’s not laziness, and it definitely isn’t a lack of effort.   Dyspraxia is a neurological differ

By Donna Burfield - Joy & Purpose Coaching   Writing is something many people take for granted, jotting down a note, filling out a form, writing an email, or taking minutes in a meeting. But for those with dysgraphia, writing isn’t simple. It’s a physical, cognitive, emotional, and often overwhelming challenge that can affect confidence, academic performance, work, and daily life.   Dysgraphia is one of the most misunderstood neurodiverse learning differences. It isn’t about

By Donna Burfield - Joy & Purpose Coaching Not everyone thinks in words, and not everyone thinks in numbers, and that’s okay.   Dyscalculia is a learning difference that affects how people understand numbers, calculations, and mathematical concepts. For many adults and children, it’s a silent struggle that can follow them through school, work, finances, and daily life. And because it’s less widely understood than dyslexia, people with dyscalculia are often overlooked, mislabe

By Donna Burfield - Joy & Purpose Coaching   Dyslexia is often spoken about as a problem to fix or an obstacle to work around, but the truth is far more empowering. Dyslexia is a different way of processing information. A different way of thinking, learning, understanding, and expressing ideas. It brings challenges, yes, but it also comes with creativity, innovation, and perspective that the world deeply needs.   Whether you are dyslexic yourself, raising a child with dyslexi

By Donna Burfield - Joy & Purpose Coaching   Autism is often misunderstood, oversimplified, or spoken about as if it’s a problem to be fixed. But autism isn’t something to “cure”; it’s a different neurotype, a unique way of processing the world, and for many, a deeply integral part of their identity.   Autistic people aren’t broken. They aren’t “too sensitive,” “too intense,” or “too rigid.” They simply experience life through a different lens, one that deserves respect, unde

By Donna Burfield - Joy & Purpose Coaching   ADHD is one of the most misunderstood conditions out there. People still reduce it to “not paying attention,” being forgetful, or being a bit too energetic. But ADHD is far more complex, far more nuanced, and far more human than the stereotypes allow.   ADHD isn’t a character flaw or a lack of willpower. It’s a neurodevelopmental condition that shapes how your brain processes information, emotions, and the world around you.   And h