Situating “emotion regulation” in autism and ADHD: Learning from neurodivergent adolescents.

This talk draws directly from the RESTAR research project, which centres the voices of neurodivergent adolescents to better understand how they experience and manage emotional distress. Based on interviews with 57 young people aged 11–15 with diagnoses of autism, ADHD, or both, the research moves beyond traditional, adult-led interpretations of emotional dysregulation and instead highlights how neurodivergent youth themselves make sense of and cope with difficult emotions. These insights offer practical guidance for clinicians, educators, and professionals working with neurodivergent youth. By shifting the focus from behaviour to lived experience, the RESTAR project highlights how inclusive, affirming environments can reduce distress, increase resilience, and lead to better long-term outcomes.