Undiagnosed but at 59 pretty sure I am AuDHD - so many of the things that Ali talks about is so, so relatable, down to the experience in University. And I always thought I was just "a bit weird" all my life until earlier this year when I had an epiphany and started to read what ADHD+ASD actually was.
17:10 Ali just described my personality. Naturally, I am introverted, and have been since a child. Some people can bring out a side of me that might make people think I’m extroverted, It’s just that those people make me feel more comfortable, even around some family members, i’m more “extroverted” and others not so much, and in some situations I just adapt to the energy around me, but I still need space to recharge and think. At the same time, I’ve learned to stay true to who I am at my core, no matter how much I adjust to my surroundings. Only Izaaz and Ali, the two introverts, were questioned about their quiet nature as if it’s a bad thing. There’s a huge stigma around introversion that needs to change. This was an amazing conversation 👏🏾
This made me emotional - listening to someone who I look up to talk about topics that matter to me and which many of us have experienced. Thank you for this. 💚 Ali is such a strong person - love hearing her thoughts.
I hadn’t watched big brother for years but was so glad I did this year because I adore Ali, I really resonate with her. And love what you said at @16:00 - you’re so right I often consider either/or and enjoy being in that place of openness. I’ve never heard anyone express it before, thank you!
Ali does such a good job at articulating and breaking down the way her mind works, hearing her describe feelings and situations that I’ve struggled with feels extremely validating, she’s one of the most deserving BBUK winners we’ve ever had
As an undiagnosed autistic teen, I started to learn social interactions from the early seasons of big brother. They had psychologists on who explained what was going on. I found this helpful at the time. I had been told that I was bad at socialising and communicating by teachers and was told that I needed to improve if I wanted to have friends or get a job. Now I know that I was learning masking and that there was never anything wrong with my natural way of communicating and socialising.
Such a good episode. It never fails to surprise me at how validating it is to hear others viewpoints and experiences with Neurodiversity. Ali how you articulated that feeling of "doing something that means more but not knowing what" is so validating to hear as I'm also in that mind space. Thank you for your time in the BB house and thank you for sharing on this forum
I was diagnosed autistic 10 years ago, aged 50, and over the past 6 years suspect ADHD. The more I hear these talks the more I relate. The deeper the dive the more of me I recognise.
When your literal hyperfocus becomes Ali!!! Seriously, incredible stuff, from a neurodivergent, queer who has also lost a family member to suicide and been in this headspace myself, this entire podcast is everything I needed and more. Now working in the mental health field myself, and am so desperate for things to be more inclusive and more 'heard and seen'. Ali, I think you are destined for incredible things, which brings hope, and change, I feel you so much when you say there 'has to be more', and I truly believe this is the beginning of your 'more', and I am going to be cheering you on the entire way, and should you need help with 'action' I am in!!! You belong in the space you occupy, and your authenticity allows us to believe this to be true too!! So hopeful, so grateful-I hope you read this and all the comments and know your incredible worth!! Go gently with yourself Ali! Ami-aka climbing_rainbows 💚💚
What an inspiring and fascinating woman. I didn’t watch BB but we need more women like Ali on our screens, a great role model. As a late diagnosed ADHD (and also suspect ASD) woman, I really resonated with so much of what she shared, particularly the bit about her ADHD/ASD saving her when needed, I hadn’t thought of it like ‘saving’ before, more a completely separate opposing negative thing, so thank you for this. Also what she said about context dependent personality…boom! I’ve never heard it explained like this but is something I’ve struggled with my whole life, and a big part of the confusion about who I am, so thank you for helping me understand myself and for making me feel understood. So sorry for your loss, and congratulations on your BB win ❤
Feeling all the feelings right now I’m not diagnosed yet but on the waiting list and they way Ali spoke explains my brain so well more than even I can explain it
I’ve been told that I can’t get medication via NHS if I get diagnosed privately. I have to get re-assessed by the NHS to qualify for meds under the NHS.
I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD privately, and am on the NHS waiting list for meds in Wales. But they won't tell me how long it will be before they get round to processing it. I'm led to believe it could take years. So in places it seems they will pay, eventually, but so far in the future that it's almost pointless.
Loved listening. Neither neurodivergent or queer but I could relate to some of these things. So like Ali said, maybe in some ways, we are all just different and for society to understand people who do not fit into the boxes they created, they diagnose them with some kind of mental issue or the other. When in reality, we are just different and whoever put us all here never meant for us to be the same.
Re: Not being what you can't see. I think it applies to neurodivergence as well. I never even considered autism until I ran across a character examination on Lindsay Fallout's YT channel talking about a character from the Fallout TV show. As she talked about her AuDHD experience and how he seemed so very Autistic coded I just got rocked and since then the research has just been "wait that is an autistic trait?!" Over and over.
Everything Ali says, everything. Finally someone with a good heart, that is genuine to her morals. Side note: not too sure why the other girl came on and started to talk about herself though. For me it felt like how you press a button and people start saying the same things and phrases. And then you see Ali, it just feels like the difference between a real person and a person who says things what the camera and “followers” see. The difference between the two. Ali, is everything.
@lilywalker8009 no I mean, she came on to talk ..about herself. That’s all I heard me me me me. I’m this etc etc etc and it felt as if she took over, when it’s about Ali. Just seemed to me like she wanted more of her 5 minutes. Which is a shame because I enjoyed it until that point. I dunno, just didn’t like it.
When are we going to distinguish the traits of a disorder from a person’s personality? I feel like a lot of ND people hide behind their illnesses instead of taking accountability. What about the people you hurt on national tv? Never really got on with autistic people, as a diagnosed bpd.
BPD is actually a common misdiagnosis or co-occuring diagnosis with both autism and ADHD. Basically, it corresponds to one of the coping strategies that undiagnosed autistic individuals tend to use to deal with bullying from neurotypicals. And an autistic individual that has been told that their autistic traits are universally wrong and had them beaten out of them probably *isn't* going to get along well with individuals that never had those traits beaten out, or has recovered them later on. And it's not like AuDHDers have no vices. However, we also have virtues in areas where neurotypicals are fairly universally ill-behaved.
As a queer neurodivergent woman I've never felt more seen or represented by someone as much as with Ali. She wants to make a difference and she already has to so many of us just by simply being so openly and honestly herself. I can't wait to see what the future holds for her! ❤
As someone also autistic, it was obvious she presented with lots of autistic traits. And as she can diagnose people herself- I think it’s fair to say she has a good idea whether she is or not. I’m sure she will get that validation in her own time.
@@SarasazzzzI hope she seeks diagnosis as she spread misinformation in the first episode, having ADHD doesn’t automatically make autism applicable and vice versa, self diagnosis invalidates people who are actually diagnosed.
@@Sarasazzzz its still wrong to just assume you have something. Imagine we were to go around diagnosing our physical conditions and getting the wrong prescriptions, that could be dangerous. And mental conditions imo are far more complex and difficult to diagnose than physical ones because you cannot see them, so you can never be too sure that you have something unless you’re diagnosed by a professional, and even people that are diagnosed sometimes get ‘imposter syndrome’. But Ali is certain that she’s got autism because she’s diagnosed with adhd, which imo is just nonsense due to the fact they’re not the same at all. I have a partner who’s autistic, I have adhd, yeah there’s similarities but you can tell the differences, and sometimes those differences can clash. Also, since it’s publicised on a massive show, coming from someone you’d think would have credibility, I wouldn’t be surprised if the NHS are dealing with even more cases because they have confused people questioning their own diagnosis because of what Ali has said. Things like this can have a negative impact on the healthcare system especially considering how many people support Ali. People that think their ADHD means they’re autistic would take up space and prolong the time for someone that actually needs that autism diagnosis. I understand people are just happy to have representation and fair enough, but misinformation can have detrimental consequences especially when it’s someone with so much credibility/status that is talking. Anyways sorry for rambling on.
@@babyjack8135 the episode I recall she was very careful with the wording & said she had ADHD with autistic traits. She never mentioned being autistic. Though, I personally believe (informed) self-diagnosis is valid. She has never diagnosed herself, she said she was “pretty sure” she has ASD and used that word choice as opposed to “definitely ASD” and this was clearly a distinction that mattered to her to avoid people using her words against her.
@@Sarasazzzz she said on that episode I quote,“I 100% am on the spectrum” that is not speculative that is confirming something without doubt . Most therapists don’t agree with self diagnosis and I’ve found self diagnosis to invalidate me even in areas of employment. The self diagnosis epidemic is harmful. As people are so assured that these are solidified forms diagnosis. People don’t take my needs and other autistic people’s needs seriously. If anything speculating is the first step, then you go to get diagnosis not you speculate then claim something, I don’t agree with that.
I saw myself a lot in Ali 🩷 admittedly at times it was triggering to see how people like me can be mistreated or wrongly perceived and that was why I admired her so much. A truly beautiful soul ✊✨
She is doing something. She is raising awareness and making people feel less alone 🧡
This is all I’ve wanted from Ali since leaving, love to hear her be open and honest without having others jump down her throat, so proud of her ❤️
I don’t think I’ve related to anyone on tv as much as I did to Ali. Representation does matter ❤
I love that Ali came on here and shared not only the good of Big Brother but how she struggled. Love it all xxx
Undiagnosed but at 59 pretty sure I am AuDHD - so many of the things that Ali talks about is so, so relatable, down to the experience in University. And I always thought I was just "a bit weird" all my life until earlier this year when I had an epiphany and started to read what ADHD+ASD actually was.
17:10 Ali just described my personality. Naturally, I am introverted, and have been since a child. Some people can bring out a side of me that might make people think I’m extroverted, It’s just that those people make me feel more comfortable, even around some family members, i’m more “extroverted” and others not so much, and in some situations I just adapt to the energy around me, but I still need space to recharge and think. At the same time, I’ve learned to stay true to who I am at my core, no matter how much I adjust to my surroundings. Only Izaaz and Ali, the two introverts, were questioned about their quiet nature as if it’s a bad thing. There’s a huge stigma around introversion that needs to change. This was an amazing conversation 👏🏾
This made me emotional - listening to someone who I look up to talk about topics that matter to me and which many of us have experienced. Thank you for this. 💚 Ali is such a strong person - love hearing her thoughts.
I hadn’t watched big brother for years but was so glad I did this year because I adore Ali, I really resonate with her.
And love what you said at @16:00 - you’re so right I often consider either/or and enjoy being in that place of openness. I’ve never heard anyone express it before, thank you!
Absolutely love Ali. Incredibly relatable, smart, kind and funny. A worthy winner! Really hope we see more from her. Thank you for having her on.
Ali does such a good job at articulating and breaking down the way her mind works, hearing her describe feelings and situations that I’ve struggled with feels extremely validating, she’s one of the most deserving BBUK winners we’ve ever had
As an undiagnosed autistic teen, I started to learn social interactions from the early seasons of big brother. They had psychologists on who explained what was going on. I found this helpful at the time. I had been told that I was bad at socialising and communicating by teachers and was told that I needed to improve if I wanted to have friends or get a job.
Now I know that I was learning masking and that there was never anything wrong with my natural way of communicating and socialising.
I still don't know why she called Khaled fake.
Such a good episode. It never fails to surprise me at how validating it is to hear others viewpoints and experiences with Neurodiversity. Ali how you articulated that feeling of "doing something that means more but not knowing what" is so validating to hear as I'm also in that mind space. Thank you for your time in the BB house and thank you for sharing on this forum
By far this was my favourite episode. Ali is amazing
I was diagnosed autistic 10 years ago, aged 50, and over the past 6 years suspect ADHD. The more I hear these talks the more I relate. The deeper the dive the more of me I recognise.
When your literal hyperfocus becomes Ali!!! Seriously, incredible stuff, from a neurodivergent, queer who has also lost a family member to suicide and been in this headspace myself, this entire podcast is everything I needed and more. Now working in the mental health field myself, and am so desperate for things to be more inclusive and more 'heard and seen'. Ali, I think you are destined for incredible things, which brings hope, and change, I feel you so much when you say there 'has to be more', and I truly believe this is the beginning of your 'more', and I am going to be cheering you on the entire way, and should you need help with 'action' I am in!!! You belong in the space you occupy, and your authenticity allows us to believe this to be true too!! So hopeful, so grateful-I hope you read this and all the comments and know your incredible worth!! Go gently with yourself Ali! Ami-aka climbing_rainbows 💚💚
This whole episode is so important and groundbreaking for me. Thank you 💚
I'm so happy Ali won Big Brother well deserved I'm also neurodivergent.
Great episode very informative. So glad to have stumbled across your channel 💯👏🏼
What an inspiring and fascinating woman. I didn’t watch BB but we need more women like Ali on our screens, a great role model. As a late diagnosed ADHD (and also suspect ASD) woman, I really resonated with so much of what she shared, particularly the bit about her ADHD/ASD saving her when needed, I hadn’t thought of it like ‘saving’ before, more a completely separate opposing negative thing, so thank you for this. Also what she said about context dependent personality…boom! I’ve never heard it explained like this but is something I’ve struggled with my whole life, and a big part of the confusion about who I am, so thank you for helping me understand myself and for making me feel understood. So sorry for your loss, and congratulations on your BB win ❤
Feeling all the feelings right now I’m not diagnosed yet but on the waiting list and they way Ali spoke explains my brain so well more than even I can explain it
Love Ali! Watched all of big brother and found her so relatable thoughtful caring and intelligent ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ali was an incredible representation
I’ve been told that I can’t get medication via NHS if I get diagnosed privately. I have to get re-assessed by the NHS to qualify for meds under the NHS.
I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD privately, and am on the NHS waiting list for meds in Wales. But they won't tell me how long it will be before they get round to processing it. I'm led to believe it could take years. So in places it seems they will pay, eventually, but so far in the future that it's almost pointless.
Best person to ever enter bb
This should be longer. 💚
Loved listening. Neither neurodivergent or queer but I could relate to some of these things. So like Ali said, maybe in some ways, we are all just different and for society to understand people who do not fit into the boxes they created, they diagnose them with some kind of mental issue or the other. When in reality, we are just different and whoever put us all here never meant for us to be the same.
Re: Not being what you can't see. I think it applies to neurodivergence as well. I never even considered autism until I ran across a character examination on Lindsay Fallout's YT channel talking about a character from the Fallout TV show. As she talked about her AuDHD experience and how he seemed so very Autistic coded I just got rocked and since then the research has just been "wait that is an autistic trait?!" Over and over.
Completely in love with this wonderful, beautiful human being! 🤗
There she is ❤ so proud of our Ali ❤
Timestamp would be really helpful!!!
Our red witch 🧡
Beautiful human inside and out
Such a lovely lady ❤
Ali 👑
Everything Ali says, everything. Finally someone with a good heart, that is genuine to her morals.
Side note: not too sure why the other girl came on and started to talk about herself though. For me it felt like how you press a button and people start saying the same things and phrases. And then you see Ali, it just feels like the difference between a real person and a person who says things what the camera and “followers” see. The difference between the two.
Ali, is everything.
She’s also a lesbian and also neurodivergent and was also on a tv show so that’s why she wanted to come on and talk to her and queen out 1:16:42
@lilywalker8009 no I mean, she came on to talk ..about herself. That’s all I heard me me me me. I’m this etc etc etc and it felt as if she took over, when it’s about Ali. Just seemed to me like she wanted more of her 5 minutes. Which is a shame because I enjoyed it until that point. I dunno, just didn’t like it.
Great episode! Very informative. Glad to have stumbled across your channel 👏🏼💯
I'm sure the 90 grand offsets the trauma 😅🤦
🥹 she’s just like me
Thank you for this interview, I am obsessed with this woman and her incredible mind
Wasn't kind to others on the show,
When are we going to distinguish the traits of a disorder from a person’s personality? I feel like a lot of ND people hide behind their illnesses instead of taking accountability. What about the people you hurt on national tv? Never really got on with autistic people, as a diagnosed bpd.
Being autistic or having ADHD is not an illness. And all of those housemates hurt other people on national TV
BPD is actually a common misdiagnosis or co-occuring diagnosis with both autism and ADHD. Basically, it corresponds to one of the coping strategies that undiagnosed autistic individuals tend to use to deal with bullying from neurotypicals. And an autistic individual that has been told that their autistic traits are universally wrong and had them beaten out of them probably *isn't* going to get along well with individuals that never had those traits beaten out, or has recovered them later on.
And it's not like AuDHDers have no vices. However, we also have virtues in areas where neurotypicals are fairly universally ill-behaved.
As a queer neurodivergent woman I've never felt more seen or represented by someone as much as with Ali. She wants to make a difference and she already has to so many of us just by simply being so openly and honestly herself. I can't wait to see what the future holds for her! ❤
Love Ali
Self-diagnosed autistic. Something as a psyche she should know is a huge no-no. As an autistic human I am disgusted this is getting air.
As someone also autistic, it was obvious she presented with lots of autistic traits. And as she can diagnose people herself- I think it’s fair to say she has a good idea whether she is or not. I’m sure she will get that validation in her own time.
@@SarasazzzzI hope she seeks diagnosis as she spread misinformation in the first episode, having ADHD doesn’t automatically make autism applicable and vice versa, self diagnosis invalidates people who are actually diagnosed.
@@Sarasazzzz its still wrong to just assume you have something. Imagine we were to go around diagnosing our physical conditions and getting the wrong prescriptions, that could be dangerous. And mental conditions imo are far more complex and difficult to diagnose than physical ones because you cannot see them, so you can never be too sure that you have something unless you’re diagnosed by a professional, and even people that are diagnosed sometimes get ‘imposter syndrome’. But Ali is certain that she’s got autism because she’s diagnosed with adhd, which imo is just nonsense due to the fact they’re not the same at all. I have a partner who’s autistic, I have adhd, yeah there’s similarities but you can tell the differences, and sometimes those differences can clash. Also, since it’s publicised on a massive show, coming from someone you’d think would have credibility, I wouldn’t be surprised if the NHS are dealing with even more cases because they have confused people questioning their own diagnosis because of what Ali has said. Things like this can have a negative impact on the healthcare system especially considering how many people support Ali. People that think their ADHD means they’re autistic would take up space and prolong the time for someone that actually needs that autism diagnosis. I understand people are just happy to have representation and fair enough, but misinformation can have detrimental consequences especially when it’s someone with so much credibility/status that is talking. Anyways sorry for rambling on.
@@babyjack8135 the episode I recall she was very careful with the wording & said she had ADHD with autistic traits. She never mentioned being autistic. Though, I personally believe (informed) self-diagnosis is valid. She has never diagnosed herself, she said she was “pretty sure” she has ASD and used that word choice as opposed to “definitely ASD” and this was clearly a distinction that mattered to her to avoid people using her words against her.
@@Sarasazzzz she said on that episode I quote,“I 100% am on the spectrum” that is not speculative that is confirming something without doubt . Most therapists don’t agree with self diagnosis and I’ve found self diagnosis to invalidate me even in areas of employment. The self diagnosis epidemic is harmful. As people are so assured that these are solidified forms diagnosis. People don’t take my needs and other autistic people’s needs seriously. If anything speculating is the first step, then you go to get diagnosis not you speculate then claim something, I don’t agree with that.
So she self diagnosed 😂
I saw myself a lot in Ali 🩷 admittedly at times it was triggering to see how people like me can be mistreated or wrongly perceived and that was why I admired her so much. A truly beautiful soul ✊✨