Adult Autism and ADHD - with Davida Hartman
In this powerful and deeply affirming episode, Amanda McGuinness speaks with Davida Hartman (she/her), Chartered Psychologist, Adjunct Professor at the UCD School of Psychology, and Clinical Director of The Adult Autism & ADHD Practice. Together, they explore the nuanced and often transformative experience of adult Autism and ADHD identification, highlighting the need for respectful, neurodiversity-affirmative approaches that centre Autistic voices.
Davida shares the origins and ethos of The Adult Autism & ADHD Practice, developed to address the profound gap in adult neuroaffirmative services across Ireland and the UK. She details how the practice was built from the ground up to be collaborative, transparent, and strengths-based, informed by lived Autistic experience. The conversation also covers the challenges of traditional assessment models, the importance of self-understanding, and the life-changing impact of accurate identification for Autistic adults.
This episode offers critical insights for anyone seeking to understand or support Autistic and ADHD adults, whether for themselves, their loved ones, or their professional practice.
About Davida Hartman
Davida Hartman is an Adjunct Professor in the UCD School of Psychology, Chartered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland, and author. She founded and serves as Clinical Director of The Adult Autism & ADHD Practice, an entirely online service providing neuroaffirmative identification processes across Ireland and the UK. Davida is also Co-founder, Clinical Director, and Principal Psychologist at The Children’s Clinic (locations in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Tipperary), specialising in Autism identification for children aged 0–18.
She is a founding board member of the non-profit Gig Buddies Ireland and a passionate advocate for neurodiversity-affirmative services, informed by her own lived experience as a late-identified ADHD individual in a multiply neurodivergent family.
Featured Resources
The Adult Autism & ADHD Practice: Website | Booking Link
The Children’s Clinic : Website
Note: Each location has its own booking link available on the website.
Davida Hartman’s Personal Website: www.davidahartman.ie
Gig Buddies Ireland : www.gigbuddiesireland.ie
The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook: A Neurodiversity-Affirmative Approach by Davida Hartman, the first book globally to address adult Autism identification in a neuroaffirmative framework.
Key Topics Covered
Why adult Autism and ADHD identification must be collaborative and strengths-based.
The urgent need for neuroaffirmative practices grounded in Autistic experiences.
Challenges and harms of outdated, child-centred assessment tools for adults.
How The Adult Autism & ADHD Practice prioritises autonomy, consent, and individual communication preferences.
The transformative effect of accurate identification on self-acceptance, boundaries, and quality of life.
The critical role of post-identification support through partnerships with organisations like Thriving Autistic.
The intersections of Autism, ADHD, eating differences, mental health, and misdiagnosis.
The importance of recognising Autistic and ADHD culture, humour, and community as sources of healing and connection.
Quotable Moments - Davida Hartman, Chartered Psychologist
“You’ve always been Autistic. You are not a different person after identification, but now you can begin the journey of understanding and advocating for yourself.”
“Our process is designed so that your voice is central from start to finish. We collaborate, not dictate.”
“There is a profound power in community and culture, realising you are not alone can change everything.”