Weirdly Successful

Dedicated to helping you understand, navigate and enjoy your weird & wonderful neurodivergent life.

Livia Farkas

Neurodivergent Adaptation Educator

In her free time, she enjoys stickers & planners, crochet & roller skates, and running around with her pet bunny Rumi.

Building Weirdly Successful’s Knowledge Systems

Livia is the architect behind Weirdly Successful’s knowledge infrastructure — creating the systems that help late-identified neurodivergent adults make sense of their experiences and find language for what they’ve always felt.

She created The Neurodivergent Glossary, an ever-growing encyclopaedia of neurodivergence-related terms designed to help people find answers using everyday words for their experiences—not medical jargon they haven’t yet learned. She also designed the content architecture that powers the entire website: a system that organises content by what someone is experiencing (focus, hearing, time), where they are in their journey (exploring, seeking diagnosis, recently diagnosed), and what they need to know (definitions, validation, practical strategies).

Currently, Livia is building the Weirdly Successful Learning Community: a custom-built peer support platform designed from the ground up for neurodivergent brains. Every element, from the onboarding process to the reaction buttons, has been designed to balance ADHD and Autistic accessibility needs.

Specialist Subjects

  • Neurodivergent adaptations for life and work · Dismantling harmful self-beliefs
  • Promoting self-compassion
  • Creating a life without the hustle

Background: 15 Years in Adult Education

Livia’s neurodivergent-focused work builds on 15 years as a productivity and lifestyle educator in Hungary, where she developed the frameworks, techniques, and teaching approach she now adapts for English-speaking neurodivergent audiences.

Book

That Traffic Light’s Not Getting Any Greener! (XXI. Század Kiadó, 2013; ISBN: 9786155373022) — National bestseller in Hungary, shortlisted for the Libri Golden Book Awards.

Publications

Éva Magazin (2014–2020), HVG Psychology (2019), Glamour (2019), Forbes Hungary (2017), Marie Claire Hungary (2013), Elle Hungary (2013), Cosmopolitan Hungary (2013)

TV & Radio

Livia has appeared as a productivity and lifestyle expert on Hungarian national television, including recurring segments on RTL Klub’s morning programme and appearances on TV2 and Duna World. She has been interviewed on Kossuth Rádió (Hungarian public radio), Klubrádió, and Jazzy.

Talks & Appearances

Livia has spoken at universities including the University of Debrecen, ELTE, Corvinus University, and the Balassi Institute; at professional conferences including the Mfor Marketing Conference, Digital Divas Conference, and Evolution Social Media Conference; and at a Google Ground roundtable on women in business. Her 2013 book tour included venues across Hungary and a reader meetup in London.

Awards

  • HVG GoldenBlog, Audience Award for urban:eve blog (2011, won)
  • Cosmopolitan Digital Divas, “Best Blog Design” (2012, won)
  • Glamour Women of The Year Hungary, “Blogger of the Year” (2014, nominated)

Latest from Livia

References
1↑ Quinn, P. O., & Madhoo, M. (2014). A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis. The primary care companion for CNS disorders, 16(3), PCC.13r01596.
2↑ Young, S., Adamo, N., Ásgeirsdóttir, B. B., Branney, P., Beckett, M., Colley, W., Cubbin, S., Deeley, Q., Farrag, E., Gudjonsson, G., Hill, P., Hollingdale, J., Kilic, O., Lloyd, T., Mason, P., Paliokosta, E., Perecherla, S., Sedgwick, J., Skirrow, C., Tierney, K., … Woodhouse, E. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BMC psychiatry, 20(1), 404.
3↑ Barkley, R. A. (Ed.). (2015). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed.). The Guilford Press.
4↑ Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Kollins, S. H., Wigal, T. L., Newcorn, J. H., Telang, F., Fowler, J. S., Zhu, W., Logan, J., Ma, Y., Pradhan, K., Wong, C., & Swanson, J. M. (2009). Evaluating dopamine reward pathway in ADHD: clinical implications. JAMA, 302(10), 1084–1091.
5↑ Kofler, M.J., Irwin, L.N., Soto, E.F. et al. Executive Functioning Heterogeneity in Pediatric ADHD. J Abnorm Child Psychol 47, 273–286 (2019).
6↑ Kofler, M. J., Singh, L. J., Soto, E. F., Chan, E. S. M., Miller, C. E., Harmon, S. L., & Spiegel, J. A. (2020). Working memory and short-term memory deficits in ADHD: A bifactor modeling approach. Neuropsychology, 34(6), 686–698.
7↑ Martinussen, R., Hayden, J., Hogg-Johnson, S., & Tannock, R. (2005). A meta-analysis of working memory impairments in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 44*(4), 377–384.
8↑ Micoulaud-Franchi, J.-A., Lopez, R., Cermolacce, M., Vaillant, F., Péri, P., Boyer, L., Richieri, R., Bioulac, S., Sagaspe, P., Philip, P., Vion-Dury, J., & Lancon, C. (2019). Sensory Gating Capacity and Attentional Function in Adults With ADHD: A Preliminary Neurophysiological and Neuropsychological Study. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(10), 1199-1209.
9↑ Frost-Karlsson, M., Capusan, A.J., Olausson, H. et al. Altered somatosensory processing in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. BMC Psychiatry 24, 558 (2024).
10↑ Posner, M. I., & Petersen, S. E. (1990). The attention system of the human brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 13, 25–42.
11↑ Sohlberg, M. M., & Mateer, C. A. (1987). Effectiveness of an attention-training program. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 9(2), 117–130.
12↑ Pritchard, A. (2021). The attention "deficit" myth. Attention Magazine. CHADD.
13↑ Orban, S.A., Rapport, M.D., Friedman, L.M. et al. Inattentive Behavior in Boys with ADHD during Classroom Instruction: the Mediating Role of Working Memory Processes. J Abnorm Child Psychol 46, 713–727 (2018).
14↑ de la Peña, I. C., Pan, M. C., Thai, C. G., & Alisso, T. (2020). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominantly Inattentive Subtype/Presentation: Research Progress and Translational Studies. Brain sciences, 10(5), 292.
15↑ Willcutt, E. G., Nigg, J. T., Pennington, B. F., Solanto, M. V., Rohde, L. A., Tannock, R., Loo, S. K., Carlson, C. L., McBurnett, K., & Lahey, B. B. (2012). Validity of DSM-IV attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom dimensions and subtypes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 121(4), 991–1010.
16↑ Biederman, J., Mick, E., & Faraone, S. V. (2000). Age-dependent decline of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: impact of remission definition and symptom type. The American journal of psychiatry, 157(5), 816–818.
17↑ Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Barkley, R., Biederman, J., Conners, C. K., Demler, O., Faraone, S. V., Greenhill, L. L., Howes, M. J., Secnik, K., Spencer, T., Ustun, T. B., Walters, E. E., & Zaslavsky, A. M. (2006). The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163*(4), 716–723.
18↑ Fan, J., McCandliss, B. D., Sommer, T., Raz, A., & Posner, M. I. (2002). Testing the efficiency and independence of attentional networks. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 14*(3), 340–347.
19↑ Huang-Pollock, C. L., Karalunas, S. L., Tam, H., & Moore, A. N. (2012). Evaluating vigilance deficits in ADHD: A meta-analysis of CPT performance. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 121(2), 360–371.
20↑ American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).
Content type: Glossary EntryGlossary Entry

inattentive

Inattentive is one of the ADHD subtypes, also known as the distracted type. Inattentive traits include daydreaming, forgetfulness (not remembering the question while answering, forgetting things at home, following instructions with multiple sub-tasks), and difficulty focusing on a task that’s not engaging enough.

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Content type: Glossary EntryGlossary Entry

ADHD

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a lifelong, hereditary neurological condition. A person with ADHD can be inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive in their internal mental processes as well as their outward presentation.

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is the previous name of the condition and officially hasn't been in use since 1987.

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Content type: Glossary EntryGlossary Entry

PMDD

PMDD is Premenstrual Disphoric Disorder, and refers to a severe, disabling form of PMS.

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Content type: Glossary EntryGlossary Entry

masking

Masking is a partly unconscious effort to hide or suppress the manifestations of your neurodivergence. It is an exhausting process that many of us do to "fit in" more. Many people start to mask to avoid abuse, discrimination, bullying, harm and ableism.

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Content type: Glossary EntryGlossary Entry

executive dysfunction

Executive functions are essential, they help us make plans, stay organized, pay attention, and keep our emotions in check. It plays a big role in making decisions and adapting to new situations.

Executive dysfunction can happen when these processes have a difference or impairment that affects everyday life.

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Content type: Glossary EntryGlossary Entry

neurodiversity

The word neurodiversity is used to describe a diverse group of individuals with different neurotypes. It includes all humans, though colloquially it is often used for a group of neurodivergent people.

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body doubling

Body doubling means doing a task or errand with someone else or in the presence of someone else so it's easier to start or follow through.

Their supportive presence helps create a safe, anchoring environment that makes it easier to start and follow through with tasks -- without pressure or judgment.

It is one of the strategies for managing focus and creating a flow for work, even if you feel …

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Content type: Glossary EntryGlossary Entry

co-occurring conditions

Co-occurrence means that certain neurodivergent traits and conditions naturally tend to appear together. When you're neurodivergent in one way, you're more likely to experience other forms of neurodivergence too - research shows this happens in up to 70% of cases. These patterns extend beyond just neurodevelopmental differences to include physical health and mental health experiences. …

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ableism

Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with physical or mental disabilities. In an ableist society, it’s assumed that the “normal” way to live is as a non-disabled person and that every disabled person needs to or wants to “get rid of” their condition.

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Content type: ArticleArticle

How to talk about neurodivergence in a kind way: terms & phrases to know

Talking about neurodivergence is not as clear-cut as it seems. The history of the treatment and acceptance of neurodivergent conditions is long and not without stigma and harm. This means that many words used throughout the decades have harmful connotations or dehumanising ideas behind them. Since language cannot be changed overnight, these expressions are still …

Read moreHow to talk about neurodivergence in a kind way: terms & phrases to know