I’d always known I experienced the world differently to others, but I never knew why. Then, in my 40s, I was filling out forms for one of my four children’s neurodivergence assessments, when I realised I saw myself reflected in some of the traits listed; finding social interaction exhausting, relying on routine and struggling to switch off. I went for my own assessment and finally, in 2023, I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, known as AuDHD.

For me, autism is like having a brain that notices and processes everything at once. I pick up on patterns, tiny details and connections that other people often miss. That can make daily life overwhelming – too much noise, too many choices, too much sensory input – but it also gives me creativity, focus and problem-solving strengths.

diane wills
Diane Wills
Diane and her children.

ADHD adds another layer. It isn’t just about being hyper or forgetful, it’s about having a mind that runs at 100 miles an hour in ten different directions. Organisation can be tough, but it also means I can switch gears quickly, think outside the box, and bring energy and ideas wherever I go. Being AuDHD means I can be uniquely creative – I can be structured, yet innovative.

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My children are six, 15, 21, and 24, and all are either autistic, ADHD or AuDHD. Like me, they often find socialising difficult and need time to process and recharge at home. They are all creative. My daughters are excellent artists, my eldest son is mathematically minded and creates music and my youngest son is both scientific and technical, building computers and programming his own games.

‘I received my AuDHD diagnosis at 45’

Personally, I’ve always been entrepreneurial and creative. Long before my diagnosis, I was overflowing with ideas and side projects. I worked as a law cost accountant for several years while my older children were young, but I never felt fulfilled. Over time, I ran a number of small businesses, and studied towards different qualifications. I even began degree-level study once before, but life – and what I now realise was my undiagnosed neurodivergence – got in the way.

After receiving my AuDHD diagnosis at 45, I decided to reclaim something for myself and enrolled in Design and Innovation with The Open University. My course is all about solving problems in fresh, creative ways, and felt like the perfect fit. Of course, studying while neurodivergent does come with barriers. Concentration, executive dysfunction and the overwhelm of academic writing can be huge challenges. I’ve had to learn to work with my brain instead of against it. For me, that often means working late at night when the world is quiet and my creativity flows. When I’m interested in a subject, however, it really comes alive and I can produce something I’m proud of.

Of course, balancing study with being a single parent of four is a juggling act. I do the school runs for my younger two and also drive my daughter to her local university every day for her Fine Art degree. I fit my study and work around those routines, housework and caring for my youngest, who often struggles to sleep. As my course is remote, I can be flexible with my learning and spread my degree over more than the standard three years. Much of my work happens late into the night, but it’s a rhythm that suits us.

'I wanted to create something that could make a difference'

My experience with higher education sparked an idea which eventually became my business, TheBoxed.co.uk. I know how overwhelming and isolating university can feel, especially for those who are away from home for the first time or navigating it while neurodivergent. So, I created a subscription box for students with mental health and wellbeing at its core. Students receive a regular box including things like snacks, t-shirts, fidget spinners and accessories, and also access to a peer-support community.

This has since expanded into other types of care boxes, including for teachers, survivors of domestic abuse, people who are neurodivergent or diagnosed later in life and also subscriptions for general wellbeing or simply to spark joy. I wanted to create something that could not could not only keep my family afloat financially, but also make a difference.

Being neurodivergent, a parent and a student all at once hasn’t been easy, but it’s shown me that you don’t need to follow a traditional path to build something meaningful. Sometimes, the very traits you once thought were barriers turn out to be your greatest strengths.

Find out more at TheBoxed.co.uk.