Trish Adudu: 11 minutes past 2…at this point of the afternoon show, we talk to somebody inspirational. It's where I chat to an incredible person from across our region. And joining me today is CEO, I love this title, Let me just get this one, CEO of Happy Autistic Lady Iveta Pudilova afternoon to you!

Iveta Pudilova: Hi!

Trish Adudu: Loving it. CEO of Happy Autistic Lady. There's going to be no other organisation that has that mantle. You do realise this Iveta? Well, listen, um, this is an incredible, this incredible organisation. It's an incredible thing that you're doing just to explain, um, what do you do and why is it important?

Iveta Pudilova: Definitely. So at Happy Autistic Lady we deliver neurodiversity training, consultancy and awareness campaigns to educational institutions and businesses to provide empowering, engaging and inclusive student experiences and workplaces. And one of the key reasons why it's so important that we learn, you know, if you're neurodivergent or not, this lack of neurodiversity awareness that we have is actually impacting everyone. In universities. It's causing high student dropouts, low student employment, low student satisfaction rates. You know, neurodivergent and disabled students are the least likely to get a job after graduating.

Trish Adudu: But just explain Iveta, what do you mean by a neurodiverse person, whether they're a student or not?

Iveta Pudilova: Definitely. So neurodiversity is, you know, the difference in how our brains work and how we think, behave and so on. And as a society, we're neurodiverse. And that means we are comprised of neurodivergent people and neurotypical people. And neurotypical people are usually, you know, those who are kind of seen to conform to the stereotypical norm. But neurodivergent people are those who diverge from the norm. That includes, you know, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette's, OCD, and the list goes on. It's an umbrella term.

Trish Adudu: Because back in the day, and I'm far older than you are young lady. I've got shoes in my wardrobe, older than you. But back in the day you never heard of the word autism, ADHD, neurodiversity. But obviously it existed, but they were just seen as the naughty children or the the odd person or the odd uncle or the odd auntie.

Iveta Pudilova: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Trish Adudu: Um, which, you know, I suppose looking back is shocking.

Iveta Pudilova: Yeah, definitely. But that's, you know, a testament to the progress we're making. Same thing with, you know, mental health. People are talking about it more. And that overlaps with neurodiversity in general quality within society.

Trish Adudu: So, you know, can all companies adapt to someone who is, um, you know, neurodiverse or does it cost a lot of money? You know, do you have to get special laptops, computers, doors? How does it work?

Iveta Pudilova: No, it doesn't necessarily actually have to even cost a lot. Um, companies and educational institutions can very become easily become more inclusive. And actually, it benefits everyone. You can implement very simple changes, even things like having agendas for meetings.

Trish Adudu: Allowing having a what sorry?

Iveta Pudilova: Agendas for meeting. So, if you have like a list of things you plan to discuss, especially for autistic people, that will be really helpful or for people you know who have auditory processing, they need to have subtitles on video calls and so on. But if you are neurodivergent or not and you get information about what this meeting is going to be about, you'll prepare better.

Trish Adudu: Absolutely. And I would hope that businesses and and people listening do that anyway. But you're there say, well, actually, have you considered? I'm loving the sticker on your top. It's, you know, it's a huge, big sticker, you know, white with the sort of blue writing. And it's got blue face, hasn't it. A blue face. Yeah. And it says.

Iveta Pudilova: It says I'm listening, even if I'm not looking at you.

Trish Adudu: You see, I mean, if I saw that on somebody because sometimes you're like, oh, there's no eye contact. What's going on? And you think, was this person a bit rude? But actually, that sticker, if I saw that on somebody:  I'm listening to you, even if I don't look up. I'd be like, oh, okay. Yeah, okay. Yeah, they're fine, but they're just, you know, having to do things slightly differently. That to me that is a good idea.

Iveta Pudilova: Thank you.

Trish Adudu: What do you hand those out to. To young people students.

Iveta Pudilova: So, we originally started selling self-advocacy badges and stickers like these. Because we realised that neurodivergent people have specific needs, but it can be annoying to constantly have to communicate them. And then also, sometimes you don't feel comfortable saying, I'm neurodivergent. And if I were to tell you I'm neurodivergent or I'm autistic, I'm dyslexic, would you actually know what that means?

Trish Adudu: Are you neurodivergent?

Iveta Pudilova: Yeah, I am.

Trish Adudu: What's your, um, challenges and stuff that you need to sort through?

Iveta Pudilova: So some of my challenges, for example, include sensory sensitivity. And that means that I am quite sensitive to the sensory stimuli around me, like light, sound and touch. But I can implement certain accommodations. For example, if I'm in the office, I'll put the lights off, or I'll have a cap or I'll wear sunglasses. And so, it's really looking at how can I and how can we as a society, improve the lives and adapt our environment so that everyone can thrive?

Trish Adudu: What would you say to the people who say, well, look, everyone's got an issue. You know, you need to just gel in and mix with people and kind of just get on with it. What would you say to them?

Iveta Pudilova: I'd say that everyone has their challenges and their strengths, and neurodiversity is a human experience. But it's different, not less. And when we celebrate our differences, listen to people and implement the support that they need, then everyone benefits and everyone can thrive, which is helpful for you know.

Trish Adudu: It is absolutely. And when I read about, you know, these statistics, that there's literally up to 8000 autistic students that drop out of higher education every year, leading to a minimum of £73 million in lost tuition. That's a that's

Iveta Pudilova: I know.

Trish Adudu: disgusting, isn't it? I know, and it's really sad because it's no longer just an ethical and a legal issue. The lack of neurodiversity awareness and support in higher education is directly impacting student dropout rates and satisfaction.

Trish Adudu: Wow, that is just shocking. Look, I know we all want someone to talk to you about your first ever, uh, invisible disabilities campaign. We'll talk about that after a bit of Teddy Swims. But can I say I'm loving being educated on this Iveta. I think it's so important. I particularly want to talk to you about an issue that my younger son has had all his life, and now I'm actually thinking, listening to you, I'm actually thinking, goodness me, I've been telling him off and actually I think he might be neurodiverse. More on that after Teddy Swims.

*“The Door” by Teddy Swims plays*

Trish Adudu: Teddy Swims “The Door”, here on the afternoon show. The 11th of June with me, Tricia Dooley taking you up to sport at six. Coming up, we've got wet, wet weather. A bit of, uh, news, travel and sport for you, but I am being schooled today by the CEO of Happy Autistic Lady Iveta Pudilova, who is from. Well, I was at Birmingham University. Um, originally went to. Was from London. Your parents are Czech?

Iveta Pudilova: Yeah. Czechoslovakia.

Trish Adudu: And. But you fall in love with the Midlands?

Iveta Pudilova: Yeah, I have, I've fallen in love with Birmingham and the Midlands.

Trish Adudu: You're not going anywhere. You're one of us now.

Iveta Pudilova: Adopted Brummie now.

Trish Adudu: Wonderful. Absolutely brilliant. But you deal in neurodiversity. And look, I'm sure my boss won't mind me saying it. He's the first boss, um, Chris, who's openly come out and said, I'm neurodiverse. I'm like, okay. And that's very brave because I'm sure there's people listening who you've described neurodiverse as being just sensitive. And, you know, it could be all sorts of things. I mean, there's loads of neurodiversity, ADHD…

Iveta Pudilova: Autism, dyslexia, Tourette's, the list goes on. And there's different, you know, traits that a person might have. It can be sensory sensitivity. Um, but there's also strengths that you might have, like great attention to detail, direct communication and so on. It really depends on the person.

Trish Adudu: You see. Now I feel like a really bad mum. And because.

Iveta Pudilova: No!

Trish Adudu: No, no, honestly, because my youngest son Kennedy, and he won't mind me saying from from when he was very young, Iveta, he would um, sort of put his hands over his ears if we're eating at the dinner table. Yeah. And I mean, his dad would be like, oh, come on, Kennedy. And then it became like people would come round and he he would give us, you know, bless him. He went out and bought some plates that didn't have one less scratchy. And we're like, oh, we will. I'm like, goodness, what is wrong? Well, we were nasty too, but oh come on Kennedy.

Iveta Pudilova: Yeah yeah yeah.

Trish Adudu: And then we took him to um, Coventry city centre when the Blues were promoted to the Championship, and we were all like celebrating. The bus was coming through and Kenny was like, mum, I've got to go home now. And we're like, what are you on about? We're having a great time. It's too noisy. And we were like, and I remember snapping him saying, for goodness sake, Kennedy, it's not too noisy. And I think I think back now, he might have neurodiversity issues.

Iveta Pudilova: Yeah, he might be neurodivergent. Um, sounds like some noise cancelling headphones or some earplugs could really benefit him. But this is exactly why we deliver neurodiversity training to schools, because students and teachers just don't know about neurodiversity and, you know, neurodivergent students who drop out the key reasons why they drop out is literally because of a lack of support and often discrimination from teachers, not from their classmates.

Trish Adudu: Yeah. Of course. Yeah, that is absolutely shocking. And look, you know, I first met you when I was at some awards dinner, and you were an inspirational young person for your work in neurodiversity. That is incredible. You're really a baby. I'm not gonna ask your age, but you are young, and so you win this award. That must have been quite amazing.

Iveta Pudilova: It was amazing. Um, there were 400 other entries. So just the fact that we got into the finals, and we won was. Yeah, it was so motivating for our team. We have five young women all neurodivergent. So, it's so lovely.

Trish Adudu: Well, it's fantastic and I really hope people take down your details because I think there are more and more young people in particular that having issues that don't want to feel odd or the odd one out, it's very difficult for them to negotiate this. I mean, look, let's talk about this, um, this this very first ever invisible disability campaign that you are running with the University of Birmingham. Tell us about this.

Iveta Pudilova: Definitely. So as part of our services, our work, we also do awareness campaigns because we found that, you know, training to management and staff, it isn't enough to encourage students and employees to actually talk about their needs. And with the awareness campaigns like the first ever one, we've partnered with University of Birmingham, their student association. It includes, um, educational content, posters around campus, social media to educate and engage the student population. And we've also designed custom branded merchandise with the Student Association Student Association that combines their branding and campus landmarks with neurodiversity, so that it fosters a sense of community. And all year round there, roughly 30,000 students are part of the association. Um, feel like they belong and that they're united.

Trish Adudu: That's important, isn't it? Because you want to feel like you belong, particularly on campus. But could you not do this? I suppose you haven't got the time. Could you not do this in workplaces and things? Because, you know, it's not just students that need help. If people are listening, thinking, you know, and if you feel that you potentially have got ADHD or autism, because a lot of people, a lot of my friends are being diagnosed late. They were in their late 30s, they're in their early 40s, they have children, and they think, oh, hold on a minute, my child showing traits, I'll get tested.

Iveta Pudilova: Yeah. Oh, 100%. We do offer this as well. We do work with businesses too. Um, and you can do campaigns all year round. But there are, you know, months and weeks like Autism Awareness Month in April, neurodiversity celebration week, which are perfect to celebrate neurodiversity.

Trish Adudu: It's great. I mean, look, if people are listening, thinking, I just need help. I just need support. Have you got a website? Have you got a way that people can contact you?

Iveta Pudilova: We do definitely. If you just simply search for HappyAutisticLady.com. Or you can go on Instagram and LinkedIn, same name Happy Autistic Lady and you can find out more about what we do on there. And right now, we're really looking to partner with more educational institutions, um, on a national level that includes Imperial where my sister is an alumni and my co-founder, um, Oxbridge, Manchester, Leeds because these universities together, they have over 23,000 neurodivergent disabled students. So the need is really there.

Trish Adudu: Well, done to your sister. I think your parents are very proud.

Iveta Pudilova: I think they're listening in as well.

Trish Adudu: What are their names, what are their names for a shout out.

Iveta Pudilova:  Jan and Jitka.  

Trish Adudu: Jan and Jitka. Hello. You must be incredibly proud as well. I did have a little message here, Mark saying more testing needs to be done across to make sure people know what's going on and what they're facing. And that is a really key, isn't it?

Iveta Pudilova:  Exactly.

Trish Adudu: If teachers don't know or if, you know, lecturers don't know. Everybody needs educating on this.

Iveta Pudilova: 100%.

Trish Adudu: Oh it's wonderful. And although it's called Happy Autistic Lady, can men contact you? Of course. The reason why we're called Happy Autistic Ladies, because it started as my sister who was diagnosed with autistic. So, the name is her. But in reality it's also, you know, anyone who wants an empowered view of autism and neurodiversity. Well, you have definitely been empowering this Tuesday afternoon, Iveta, to award winning Iveta Pudilova, the CEO of Happy Autistic Lady. Well done to you and your sister and all the people that do this.

Iveta Pudilova: Thank you.

Trish Adudu: And I, for one, will go home and apologise to my son Kennedy and say, Kennedy, I'm really sorry. When I shouted up at you about the plates and the scraping, too.

Iveta Pudilvoa: Yeah. Thank you for having me!