Ever Ask Yourself, 

"Am I Neurodivergent?" 

Ever Ask Yourself, 

"Am I Neurodivergent?" 

Helping Women With Neurodivergence Thrive!

Neurodiversity Affirming therapy services for 

Young Adult Women  (and AFAB) in Wisconsin

who are ready to be supported on their 

journey to personal growth and happiness.

Helping Women With Neurodivergence Thrive!

Neurodiversity Affirming therapy services for Young Adult Women  (and AFAB) in Wisconsin who are ready to be supported on their journey to personal growth and happiness.

Living with neurodivergence 

can be challenging. 

Rest assured, You Are Not Alone!

Do you relate to any of the thoughts below?

If this resonates with you and you're ready

embrace your uniqueness, I'm here for you!

You do not have to do this alone!

Living with neurodivergence 

can be challenging. 

Rest assured, You Are Not Alone!

Do you relate to any of the thoughts below?

If this resonates with you and you're ready

embrace your uniqueness, I'm here for you!

If you are questioning if you are neurodivergent or if you have formally received a diagnosis, I completely understand how you feel.

After living in limbo for over 20 years feeling like an outsider, then diagnosis bouncing from anxiety to sensory processing disorder, I finally found the diagnoses that miraculously fit me perfectly. 

The diagnoses that completely explained why I feel, think, and behave the way I do. The "boxes" I finally fit in:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

When I first heard these words I was shocked. As a mental health professional, how did I never see this sooner? Based on what I was taught in school and how society and the media portray people with autism, I initially was in a state of denial.

But as I read the lists of symptoms that sounded like they were describing me specifically, I had a sudden wave of relief wash over me.

There was actually an explanation for why I am the way I am!

Every facet about myself that people made me feel bad for in the past was explained. It really wasn't my fault; I did do anything "wrong." I simply just didn't fit into their "box" so they tried controlling me by changing me.

As I read this, my entire perception of myself and my life experience completely changed in the best way possible. I finally felt free. I finally understood myself.

My denial instantly faded; at this moment I realized that I wasn't just "weird," "quirky," or "didn't fit in," my brain is simply just built differently. I am not neurotypical.

In fact, autism and ADHD are not even a mental disorders, they are neurological disorders: this means that our brain structure and neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) are simply different than neurotypical people.

I share my story because this information needs to be shared more readily and this conversation needs to be had without the stigma behind the disorder and fear of being diagnosed. 

You do not have to do this alone!

Diagnoses are meant to help, not harm.

So, if a diagnosis can help reduce self-deprecation and negative internal thoughts by allowing an individual to understand themselves, then there should be no stigma or shame around receiving one.

I am lucky enough to have my best friend, role model, and mom be neurodivergent with ASD and ADHD, as well, so I know I am never alone on my journey, but not everyone is so fortunate. 

The more we educate ourselves and others, the more we can help to reduce prejudice and stigma, and help those who truly need it, such as women like me and my mom.

Women are one of the most underdiagnosed groups when 

it comes to autism. 

Since the diagnostic criteria and research were designed around boys, the criteria and symptoms do not describe a female experience on the spectrum.

This leads to skeptical clinicians and diagnosticians, as most are not properly educated on what ASD and ADHD looks like for women, which leads to improper diagnoses and further invalidation of the female autistic and ADHD experience.

This means that a multitude of women are still living their lives feeling like a "freak" or "outsider" because they have not been properly diagnosed and have not had exposure to the truth about what autism and ADHD are like for women.

In women, typical symptoms of ASD include:

Diagnoses are meant to help,
not harm.

So, if a diagnosis can help reduce self-deprecation and negative internal thoughts by allowing an individual to understand themselves, then there should be no stigma or shame around receiving one.

I am lucky enough to have my best friend, role model, and mom be neurodivergent with ASD and ADHD, as well, so I know I am never alone on my journey, but not everyone is so fortunate. 

The more we educate ourselves and others, the more we can help to reduce prejudice and stigma, and help those who truly need it, such as women like me and my mom.

Women are one of the most underdiagnosed groups when 

it comes to autism. 

Since the diagnostic criteria and research were designed around boys, the criteria and symptoms do not describe a female experience on the spectrum.

Autism does not equal mental disability, violence, lack of empathy, antisocial behavior, or non-verbal communication.

While these symptoms can occur, they are mostly myths about autism that are perpetuated by our society and media, leading people to fear autism instead of understanding it.

 In fact, most women with autism are highly intelligent, empathetic people who have a desire to communicate with others, but simply have difficulty doing so. 

Autism and ADHD are not a linear spectrums; therefore, no two people have exactly the same symptoms. Two people with ASD and/or ADHD may have completely different symptoms but still have the same diagnosis. For example, a presence or lack of certain symptoms does not make a person "more" or "less" autistic.

Many autistic women who have minimal support needs are often told they "look normal" because they mask so well. But in reality, there is no one "look" for autism (or ADHD); therefore, telling someone they "look normal" can be offensive and come off as demeaning. 

There are so many positive aspects of having ASD and ADHD and amazing qualities that people with autism have to offer, but we just need the space to be able to be ourselves so we can contribute without being restricted and put in the neurotypical box. 

 "Autism" is not a bad word or taboo topic you should avoid, so let's talk about it!

I want to welcome an open and honest conversation about autism and ADHD, specifically in females, so I have designated my practice as a safe space for young women (and those AFAB) to ask any questions you may have whether it be about autism and ADHD in general or my experience, personally. I am more than happy to help increase understanding and awareness, one person at a time! 

I wouldn't change a single aspect of my life for anything, including my neurodivergence as a woman with ASD and ADHD.

I am proud of who I am and what I am able to represent, and I hope to raise awareness about what autism and ADHD, and what being on the spectrum can look like, offering a different perspective and potential hope for the women and those assigned female at birth who feel the same way I did my whole life.

Knowledge is power, and power can help so many. So, thank you for helping be a part of this change by paying it forward and helping teach others to reduce misconceptions about autism and ADHD!

What is a neurodivergent specialist?

 How is a specialist different than a general counselor or therapist?

If you severely broke your leg and needed complex surgery, who would you rather see: your general doctor, or an orthopedic surgeon who knows everything about your injury and can offer you the best options possible?

You'd pick the orthopedic specialist, right?

This analogy works when we speak about specialists vs general counselors in the mental health field, as well.

General counselors or therapists don't have one specialty, but instead try to help you with any and all concerns you may have. You likely will have less structured sessions, and will spend more time "just talking" about whatever concerns you may have that week. General counselors may also work with you long-term, offering sessions for years.

A neurodivergent specialist, on the other hand, has expertise and great knowledge about neurodivergence, and will be able to offer you a psychoeducation on how and why your brain works the way it does, with short-term structured sessions allowing you to learn about yourself and healthy coping skills, as well.

While most neurodivergent specialists work with just about anyone, there is only one neurodivergent specialist who has expertise specifically in female autism and ADHD, and that is Jess Pliszka.

If you're really lucky, you'll get a neurodivergent therapist who is also neurodivergent (like Jess), who will able to understand you on an even deeper level.

"If you are an adult woman struggling with the stress and anxiety of everyday life. Together with Jess Pliszka, you can learn healthy coping skills to live your best life."

- Marima Hernandez, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Autism does not equal mental disability, violence, lack of empathy, antisocial behavior, or non-verbal communication.

While these symptoms can occur, they are mostly myths about autism that are perpetuated by our society and media, leading people to fear autism instead of understanding it.

In fact, most women with autism are highly intelligent, empathetic people who have a desire to communicate with others, but simply have difficulty doing so. 

Autism and ADHD are not a linear spectrums; therefore, no two people have exactly the same symptoms. Two people with ASD and/or ADHD may have completely different symptoms but still have the same diagnosis. For example, presence or lack of certain symptoms does not make a person "more" or "less" autistic.

Many autistic women who have minimal support needs are often told they "look normal" because they mask so well. But in reality, there is no one "look" for autism (or ADHD); therefore, telling someone they "look normal" can be offensive and come off as demeaning. 

There are so many positive aspects of having ASD and ADHD and amazing qualities that people with autism and ADHD have to offer, but we just need the space to be able to be ourselves so we can contribute without being restricted and put in the neurotypical box. 

I am proud of who I am and what I am able to represent, and I hope to raise awareness about what autism and ADHD, and what being on the spectrum can look like, offering a different perspective and potential hope for the women and those assigned female at birth who feel the same way I did my whole life.

Knowledge is power, and power can help so many. So, thank you for helping be a part of this change by paying it forward and helping teach others to reduce misconceptions about autism and ADHD!

What is a neurodivergent specialist?

 How is a specialist different than a general counselor or therapist?

If you severely broke your leg and needed complex surgery, who would you rather see: your general doctor, or an orthopedic surgeon who knows everything about your injury and can offer you the best options possible?

You'd pick the orthopedic specialist, right?

This analogy works when we speak about specialists vs general counselors in the mental health field, as well.

General counselors or therapists don't have one specialty, but instead try to help you with any and all concerns you may have. You likely will have less structured sessions, and will spend more time "just talking" about whatever concerns you may have that week. General counselors may also work with you long-term, offering sessions for years.

A neurodivergent specialist, on the other hand, has expertise and great knowledge about neurodivergence, and will be able to offer you a psychoeducation on how and why your brain works the way it does, with short-term structured sessions allowing you to learn about yourself and healthy coping skills, as well.

While most neurodivergent specialists work with just about anyone, there is only one neurodivergent specialist who has expertise specifically in female autism and ADHD, and that is Jess Pliszka.

If you're really lucky, you'll get a neurodivergent therapist who is also neurodivergent (like Jess), who will able to understand you on an even deeper level.

It's time to put your needs, first!

Start living the life you deserve to be living.

I hear you, and I'm here for you!

You are free to schedule your free

15-minute consultation, below!

It's time to put your needs, first!

Start living the life you deserve to be living.

Multicultural & 

LGBTQ+ Friendly!

I hear you, and 

I'm here for you!

Ever Ask Yourself, 

"Am I Neurodivergent?"