Our first AuDHD Meetup for Adults (Online, in English) took place earlier this month — and it went better than I could have hoped for.
For one hour, a small group of ADHD and autistic adults came together to share openly about our daily experiences — the wins, the frustrations, and the quiet in-betweens that often go unnoticed.
We started with a warm-up round where everyone shared something they love. From special interests to small joys, it helped us ease into the space and connect through what feels good before touching on what feels hard.
Several common themes emerged during our conversation:
Connection: the relief of being around others who just get it, without needing to over-explain.
Masking and authenticity: how we navigate showing up as ourselves in social and professional settings.
Social struggles: balancing the desire for connection with the exhaustion that sometimes follows.
Procrastination and self-management: a familiar challenge for many of us; some shared tips that have worked for them, others simply appreciated knowing they weren’t alone.
Throughout, there was a sense of shared understanding — a reminder that while our experiences are unique, many of our patterns and struggles overlap in recognizable ways.
Life with ADHD, autism, or AuDHD can feel isolating, especially when you’re navigating in-between worlds — between cultures, languages, and neurotypes. Spaces like this meetup create a sense of belonging without performance. No fixing, no forced positivity, just honest conversation.
For AuDHD adults — those who live with both autism and ADHD — connection can be both a lifeline and a challenge. Many of us crave meaningful relationships but also feel drained or misunderstood in traditional social settings. The desire to belong often runs parallel with a deep need for solitude and recovery.
For migrants and expats, that complexity multiplies. Living in a new country means navigating language barriers, cultural norms, and social expectations — often without the familiar networks or unspoken cues that help others feel anchored. When you add neurodivergence into the mix, even small interactions can become a balancing act between authenticity and adaptation.
That’s why community spaces like the AuDHD Adults Meetup matter. They’re not about performing or proving anything. They’re about having a space where you can show up exactly as you are — with your mix of enthusiasm, awkwardness, curiosity, or quiet — and know that others will meet you there.
We’re not here to fix or teach each other. We’re here to witness. To say, “You’re not weird for feeling that way — me too.”
In a world that often celebrates fitting in, these small moments of genuine recognition are powerful acts of resistance. For many of us — especially those living away from our countries, families, and familiar routines — this kind of understanding can feel like home.
You missed the first event? No worries, we will keep meeting and connecting each month.
If you are living near Leipzig or in Germany, you can join the group here.
If you are living someplace else as an English-speaking AuDHDer and feel connected to me, contact me here for one-on-one and group coaching possibilities.
