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The Independent
28-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Key tips for neurodivergent people to manage their money effectively - and why women have it worse
Managing money isn't just about numbers - it requires decision-making, impulse control, emotional regulation and long-term planning. For neurodivergent individuals, these areas can present unique challenges to managing or improving financial positions. Neurodivergence is an umbrella term that includes conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette's syndrome, and others. While each condition presents unique traits, common difficulties include impulsivity, long-term planning, understanding complex financial systems and sensory overload. Scientific research has highlighted the financial struggles faced by neurodivergent individuals in the UK. For instance, a study by King's College London estimated that the lifetime cost for someone with autism and intellectual disability is around £1.23m, while for someone with autism without intellectual disability, it is around £0.8m. Similarly, research indicates that adults with ADHD face significant financial challenges including difficulties in sustaining employment and managing finances, leading to increased financial distress. While individual experiences vary, many neurodivergent people share overlapping financial struggles. These can include: Executive dysfunction makes it difficult to organise bills, track spending, or remember deadlines Impulse control issues which can lead to spontaneous spending or difficulty saving Sensory sensitivities may make financial admin feel overwhelming, leading to avoidance All-or-nothing thinking (common in autism) in budgeting - either hyper-focused on saving or completely disengaged Emotional spending and dopamine-seeking (especially in ADHD), which can make it difficult to prioritise long-term financial goals If you've struggled with money despite your best efforts, you're not alone. Many traditional budgeting systems assume neurotypical thinking patterns, which is why they may not work for you. Instead of forcing yourself into methods that feel unnatural, here are a few neurodivergent-friendly approaches to managing money in a way that actually works. 1. Automate your finances For many neurodivergent individuals, remembering to pay bills, transfer savings, or track expenses can be overwhelming. Setting up automated payments for rent, utilities, and debt repayments can prevent missed deadlines and reduce anxiety around managing finances. Many banks also allow you to set up automatic transfers to a savings account, making it easier to build financial security without relying on manual effort. You don't have to rely on memory, willpower, or executive function - the system does the work for you. 2. Use budgeting apps Traditional budgeting methods may not work well for those who struggle with executive function or tracking numbers. Instead, visual and interactive budgeting apps like Plum or Emma can help. These apps provide real-time notifications, spending categories, and simple visualisations to help neurodivergent individuals stay on top of their finances in a way that suits their cognitive style. When finances feel engaging rather than stressful, they become easier to manage. 3. Reduce impulse spending with delayed transactions Impulsivity, a common trait in conditions like ADHD, can lead to financial difficulties. One way to counteract this is by implementing a cooling-off period for purchases. Some banking apps allow you to set up a delay before transactions go through, giving you time to reconsider non-essential purchases. Alternatively, using prepaid cards with a set spending limit can help prevent overspending. This approach can help towards controlled spending without guilt. 4. Break down financial tasks into manageable steps Complex financial tasks can feel overwhelming, leading to avoidance. Breaking tasks down into smaller steps such as setting aside 10 minutes a day to check account balances or reviewing one financial document at a time can make financial management less daunting. Tools like task reminders or habit-tracking apps can provide accountability and structure. This can help money management feel less like a chore and more like a self-care practice. 5. Neurodivergent-specific financial support Traditional financial advice doesn't always account for the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. Seeking out a financial coach or advisor who has experience working with neurodivergent clients can provide tailored strategies to suit individual needs. Additionally, neurodivergent-friendly financial resources, such as online forums and social media communities, can offer valuable support and advice. Financial management should be accessible and many organisations are now recognising the need for neurodivergent-friendly support. Neurodivergent women often face additional financial barriers due to late diagnosis, gender biases, and societal expectations. Many struggle with financial confidence due to a lifetime of masking their neurodivergent traits, or self-doubt. Furthermore, studies suggest women are statistically more likely to take on caregiving responsibilities, which can impact their earning potential and savings. Additional financial strategies for neurodivergent women include: Self-advocacy in the workplace: Understanding workplace accommodations and negotiating fair pay can help create financial stability Building financial confidence: Seeking out women-focused financial education programs can provide the knowledge and empowerment needed to take control of personal finances Creating emergency funds: Since career interruptions due to burnout or caregiving responsibilities are more common, having a financial safety net is crucial. Financial management for all neurodivergent individuals isn't about following conventional advice, it's about adapting strategies to fit your unique cognitive strengths and challenges. By implementing automation, using the right financial tools and seeking support, neurodivergent individuals can build financial stability and security. Understanding your personal relationship with money and tailoring your financial approach accordingly is the key to long-term success. Managing money effectively isn't about perfection – it's about creating systems that work for you, not against you. If you've struggled with finances, it's important to remember that it's not a personal failure. Neurodivergent minds are not 'bad' at managing money - they just process financial decisions differently. By working with your brain rather than against it, you can create systems that feel natural and sustainable. Managing money doesn't have to be a struggle, but instead a journey you feel in control of, step by step. When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Ex-SNP MP Mhairi Black says neurodiversity is treated as a ‘fad'
Ex-SNP MP Mhairi Black has said that neurodiversity is treated as a 'fad', comparing it to being in the closet due to stigmatisation. In a column for The National, Ms Black, who was diagnosed with ADHD in 2018, said she kept it a secret due to 'backstabbing' in Westminster. She said there were 'similarities in how society perceives both the LGBT+ community and the neurodiverse community', including people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Tourette's syndrome, all legally classified disabilities and protected by the Equality Act 2010. However Ms Black said 'small adjustments' were often refused, causing burnout, stress and physical illness, due to being forced to function to neurotypical expectations. Ms Black wrote: 'Every single brain is unique, but 'neurodivergent' simply means we have been able to identify patterns showing that some brains behave differently to what we consider 'typical'. I was once asked what age I was when I came out as gay, to which I replied that I was never 'in'. 'The same cannot be said for my neurodivergence. 'I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2018 but because of Westminster politics and backstabbing, I decided to keep that information between myself and the few folk I trusted. 'Now that I have left and am speaking openly about my experiences, I am struck by the similarities in how society perceives both the LGBT+ community and the neurodiverse community. 'There is an assumption that this obsession with labels is something new and that it is just a fad that is being forced upon children. As with the LGBT+ community, the neurodiverse community knows that it is not a fad. Labels give us the language to explain who we are. 'These labels should be used as a shorthand to indicate what wavelength you're on. Nothing more. 'They offer an insight into who someone is at their core and how their brain works. 'For example, if you know someone is autistic, then it can explain why you may feel they are speaking very directly. 'If you know someone has ADHD then you may afford them slightly more patience when they are late or forgetful. 'If you know a pupil is dyslexic then you know not to force them to read aloud to a classroom. 'If you know an employee struggles with sensory overload then you are more likely to understand why they would like to work from home. 'These small adjustments that make a world of difference to the person impacted by them.' She said when 'simple adjustments are not made, we start to see the long-term consequences', including 'stress, loneliness, stigma' and 'burnout' forced on people by 'holding themselves to the standards of the neurotypical'. Ms Black said that physical symptoms included headaches, stomach issues, fatigue, frequent illness, depression, anxiety and self-doubt were 'all symptoms of trying to force your brain to work like everyone else's, rather than embracing and being allowed to work with your brain'. However she said that neurodivergence was linked to increased creativity, organisation, and willingness to push boundaries, but that a 'vicious circle' meant that diagnoses were often occurring due to increased pressure on the NHS due to a failure to make 'small adjustments', and that there was no 'routinely collected reliable data' on assessment times. She added: 'Some may claim that an increase in people seeking a diagnosis proves that it is 'fashionable', but I reckon it is much more likely that we, as a society, are developing a better understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. 'Similarly, some may say that if the NHS is already struggling with the number of neurodivergent diagnoses at the moment, then how can it be expected to cope with such an increase? 'In order to tackle a challenge you first need to know what size it is.'
