Today we’re chatting with Kelly and Hester Grainger, a husband and wife team team running Perfectly Autistic, a neurodiversity consultancy.

Hey, Kelly and Hester! If you could recommend One Good Thing everyone can do to improve their mental health, what would it be?

Kelly: Be kind to yourself.

Great shout. Why is this your OGT?

Hester: We were both diagnosed with ADHD in our forties, with Kelly being diagnosed as autistic too, so being kind to ourselves is something that has made a huge difference to our mental health. Understanding why we think the way we do is life-changing. We have taught our children to do the same too. They are autistic/ADHD as well, and they know how important it is to be kind to yourself and talk to yourself in a loving way.

How can those of us with autism and ADHD be kinder to ourselves?

Hester: It might be as simple as taking time out to rest, even when you may think that you should keep going. Or it can be doing something nice for ourselves. It’s something everyone can do. I often tell my ADHD clients that being kind to yourself is a simple change that makes a really big difference to your mental health.

One Good Thing: why it’s important for anyone who is autistic or has ADHD to show themselves kindness