Airing Pain #148: Links between Hypermobility and Neurodivergence

This edition of Airing Pain explores how neurodivergent individuals experience pain, potential links to hypermobility, and the need for better education to support conditions like autism and ADHD.

Neurodiversity refers to the different ways a person’s brain processes information.It is an umbrella term used to describe a number of conditions including Autism or Autism Spectrum Conditions; ADHD; Dyscalculia; Dyslexia; Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), and more.

In this episode:

• Dr. Clive Kelly discusses research on co-occurring conditions in neurodivergence, highlighting varied symptoms and how pain perception differs among individuals.

• Dr Jessica Eccles talks about her research into the relationship between joint hypermobility and neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism.

• We hear from Ren Martin, an autistic learning disability nurse and mother of three neurodivergent children, and Ceri Reid of Parents Voices in Wales, advocating for better neurodiversity and mental health services.

• Throughout the episode, we hear excerpts from Imogen Warner’s protest letter, which challenges the UK Government’s school attendance campaign and highlights the reality of being a young autistic person.

Contributors: 

Dr. Clive Kelly, Consultant Physician and Rheumatologist, James Cook University Hospital and University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Dr Jessica Eccles, Reader in Brain-Body Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Ren Martin, neurodevelopmental specialist

Ceri Reid, neurodivergent mother and founder of Parents Voices in Wales

Imogen Warner, student and author of a protest letter in response to the UK government’s School Attendance Campaign

Jane Green MBE, founder of SEDSConnective

Thanks

We are immensely grateful to The British Humane Association and The Heather Hoy Charitable Trust whose generous grants made this podcast possible. 

Time Stamps: 

00:43 Understanding Neurodivergence and Pain

04:46 The Relationship between Hypermobility and Neurodivergence

12:06 Gender Differences in Diagnosis and Pain

13:49 Ren Martin’s Personal Experience

32:27 Diagnosis for Neurodivergent Individuals

35:18 Challenges in Education for Neurodivergent Children

42:40 Training for Educators and Healthcare Workers

Additional Resources: 

Links Referred to in this Episode

• School toolkit for JHS and EDS – School Toolkit for EDS and JHS
• Parents Voices in Wales: Resources & Key Documents – Parents Voices in Wales CIC
• Autistic Girls Network: https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/
• Ehlers-Danloss Society: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com
• Hypermobility Syndrome Association. – The HMSA | The Hypermobility Syndromes Association
• Healios: https://healios.org.uk/
• SEDSConnective: https://www.sedsconnective.org/

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