Why is research into neurodivergent entrepreneurs important? What if the experiences of neurodivergent entrepreneurs are shaping the economy, but their neurodivergent experiences are barely appearing in the research used to shape decisions?
In this episode, I talk to researcher Lucy Griffiths about what it’s actually like to build and run a business as a neurodivergent person, and why qualitative research, the kind that captures lived experience rather than just statistics, matters for business support, funding, education and public policy.
We talk about the stories hidden behind the statistics, the myth of the “neurodivergent superpower,” why late autism and ADHD diagnosis is so common in entrepreneurs, and how research like Lucy’s could genuinely influence the systems that are supposed to support us.
🎁 Free resource: eventhedoghasadhd.com, link below
🔗 Find Lucy Griffiths: search “Lucy Griffiths UK” on LinkedIn
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome to Even the Dog Has ADHD
00:37 Lucy’s story: building a startup and discovering she’s autistic at 40
04:08 Why the “ADHD superpower” myth falls short
06:26 Lucy’s research: the lived experience of neurodivergent entrepreneurs
09:56 Why late diagnosis hits women especially hard
15:46 Sir Ken Robinson, the RSA and education reform
19:01 AI as a tool for neurodivergent entrepreneurs
23:33 Lorna Wing and the history of autism research
24:21 Patricia Quinn and ADHD in girls
28:33 Why policymakers need stories, not just statistics
39:13 The cost of performing “fine” for years
41:08 Where to find Lucy’s research
RESEARCH & RESOURCES MENTIONED
Lorna Wing – The Autistic Spectrum: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
goodreads.com/en/book/show/26665115-the-autistic-spectrum
(free to read/borrow: archive.org/details/autisticspectrum0000wing_x8r7 )
Patricia Quinn – Understanding Girls with ADHD
amazon.com/Understanding-Girls-ADHD-Updated-Revised/dp/0971460973
Patricia Quinn – 100 Questions & Answers About ADHD in Women and Girls
amazon.com/Questions-Answers-Attention-Hyperactivity-Disorder/dp/0763784524
Nancy Doyle – Genius Within
geniuswithin.org/about-us/research
Monique Botha – autism research and knowledge production
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34650484
Sir Ken Robinson – RSA Animate: Changing Education Paradigms
RSA ANIMATE: Changing Education Paradigms
Show Host
Diana Hayes
eventhedoghasadhd.com
linkedin.com/in/dianavhayes
instagram.com/dianavhayes
Contact Show Guest
Lucy Griffiths
linkedin.com/in/lucygriffithsuk
Show Guest Resources
Ted Talk: How designers can transform education
Current Research
📣 Call for participants: Neurodivergent Entrepreneurship Research.
Neurodivergent entrepreneurs – has anyone ever genuinely asked what it feels like to navigate entrepreneurship as you?
Me neither.
I think it’s time that changed.
That’s why I’m researching the experiences of neurodivergent entrepreneurs.
As an autistic entrepreneur myself, I already know I belong in entrepreneurship – I don’t need research to validate this – but what I do need is research that truly reflects the experiences, positive, negative, and everything in between, of being a neurodivergent entrepreneur.
Most research in this area has focused primarily on measuring our performance or validating our presence in the business world, rather than truly understanding ‘what it’s like’. While this has helped raise awareness and reduce stigma, it leaves a significant gap for a deeper and more nuanced exploration of what it means to be a neurodivergent entrepreneur.
I think it’s time we learned more about how entrepreneurship actually works – or doesn’t – for those of us navigating this space. Developing a shared understanding is the first step towards positive change. And who knows? Organisations, policymakers, investors, and educators might just learn something valuable from our experiences…
Right now, I’m seeking participants for a study on this important topic. If you decide to participate, we’ll co-design the data collection interaction together, ensuring it genuinely works for you.
To take part, you’ll need to:
✅ be aged 18 or older
✅ currently or recently (within the last 5 years) have been an entrepreneur
✅ identify as neurodivergent (no formal diagnosis required)
✅ commit up to 3 hours for the study (in two sessions), remotely or in person
If you’d like to share your story or know someone who should, please connect and DM me here, email the address below, or book a call using the link – I’d love to hear from you!
📩 Email: 2275533@swansea.ac.uk
💻 Book a call: lnkd.in/eb7TnsCh
#ADHD #Neurodivergent #Autism #EvenTheDogHasADHD #NeurodivergentEntrepreneur #LateDiagnosis #NavigateNotManage #HiddenPatterns #AuDHD
