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News and Research
Science-backed Information for Better Care
ScienceWorks is a modern telepsychology practice offering evidence-based care for: Autism & ADHD, Anxiety & Depression, OCD, Trauma, Insomnia, Kids & Families, and more.
These conditions frequently co-occur, can be difficult to diagnose, and also difficult to treat - often requiring specialist knowledge and direct clinical experience to achieve the best possible outcomes.
That's why research and training are the foundation of our work.
Our goal is sharing our knowledge with our friends, clients, and partners to build a stronger, more informed mental health community.
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Autistic Burnout Symptoms: Signs, Causes, and Supports That Actually Help
Autistic burnout symptoms can look like exhaustion, skill loss, and sensory overload after long-term stress. Learn signs, causes, and supports that actually help.

Ryan Burns
6 days ago6 min read


Autistic Masking vs Social Anxiety vs People-Pleasing
Last reviewed: 02/19/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you have ever googled autistic masking vs social anxiety and still felt unsure, you are not alone. In adults, all three patterns can look like the same "polite, put-together" person on the outside, while the inside story is totally different. In this article, you'll learn: Why masking, social anxiety, and people-pleasing get mixed up The "driver underneath" each pattern Practical clues you can use in real life How the

Ryan Burns
6 days ago8 min read


What Is the CAT-Q? A Plain-English Guide to Autistic Masking and Camouflaging
Last reviewed: 02/19/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’ve searched cat-q autism , you’re probably trying to make sense of something that’s hard to explain: you can “do social,” but it feels effortful, scripted, and exhausting. The CAT-Q (Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire) is one tool that helps put words to that experience. In this article, you’ll learn: What autistic masking and camouflaging mean in plain English What the CAT-Q measures (and what it does not)

Ryan Burns
6 days ago8 min read


AQ-10 vs RAADS-14: Which Autism Screener Fits Which Question?
AQ-10 vs RAADS-14 can feel confusing when you’re trying to make sense of autistic traits as an adult. Here’s what each screener is best for and what to do next.

Kiesa Kelly
6 days ago6 min read


Burnout vs depression symptoms: how to spot the real driver
When you’re running on fumes, it’s hard to tell what’s happening. This guide breaks down burnout vs depression symptoms and executive dysfunction, with practical clues and quick screeners to help you choose the next right step.

Ryan Burns
6 days ago7 min read


ADHD vs Executive Function Challenges: Same Feeling, Different Targets
Executive function vs ADHD can feel like the same daily struggle: late starts, forgotten tasks, and unfinished projects. This guide helps you spot the difference, choose the right screener (ASRS or ESQ-R), and know when to seek an evaluation in Tennessee.

Ryan Burns
6 days ago8 min read


Executive Dysfunction in Adults 101: Planning, Initiation, and “Why I Can’t Start”
Executive dysfunction isn’t a character flaw. It’s a set of “brain management” skills (planning, starting, remembering steps, tracking time) that can get overloaded. This guide explains what executive dysfunction looks like in adults, how it differs from procrastination, and what to do next without self-blame.

Ryan Burns
6 days ago7 min read


Symptoms of ADHD in Women: Why it gets missed (and what screeners pick up)
ADHD symptoms in women often get missed because inattentive patterns, masking, and “doing well” outwardly can hide the struggle. Learn what ADHD can look like day-to-day, how burnout and anxiety overlap, and what the ASRS screener can (and can’t) pick up.

Kiesa Kelly
6 days ago7 min read


ADHD or Anxiety? Why Screeners Can Feel Confusing When You’re Stressed: ADHD vs anxiety symptoms adults
ADHD vs anxiety symptoms adults can blur under stress. Learn how worry, shutdown, and sleep loss affect screeners like ASRS and GAD-7—and what to do next.

Ryan Burns
6 days ago7 min read


ASRS Scoring Explained: What Your Results Might Mean
Confused by ASRS v1.1 scoring? This guide explains what a positive Part A screen means (and doesn’t), what can inflate scores, and smart next steps if you want an ADHD evaluation.

Kiesa Kelly
6 days ago7 min read


Adult ADHD Screening: What the ASRS v1.1 Measures (and What It Doesn’t)
The ASRS ADHD screener is a common first step for adults wondering about ADHD. Here’s what it measures, what it can’t confirm, why false positives happen, and what to do next.

Ryan Burns
6 days ago8 min read


Executive Dysfunction in Perimenopause: Why Simple Tasks Suddenly Feel Impossible
Last reviewed: 02/12/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you are in perimenopause and it feels like your brain suddenly “won’t do the thing,” you are not imagining it. Executive dysfunction perimenopause often shows up as task paralysis, brain fog, and a sharp drop in follow-through, even for people who used to be highly capable. Research suggests cognitive complaints are common during the menopause transition, and many women report changes that interfere with daily life. (1

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 1210 min read


Is My Medication Not Working? Perimenopause ADHD Treatment Questions to Ask in Perimenopause
Perimenopause ADHD can make focus, sleep, and emotional regulation feel shakier, even if your prescription hasn’t changed. Here’s what to track and ask at your next visit.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 1210 min read


Late diagnosed ADHD (or Autism) After 40: Grief, Relief, and Identity Whiplash
Late diagnosed ADHD after 40 can bring equal parts relief and grief. Learn why women are identified later, how perimenopause can expose coping limits, and what to expect next in Tennessee.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 129 min read


PMDD, Perimenopause, and ADHD: How to Spot Pattern Shifts
When pmdd adhd perimenopause overlap, it’s easy to lose trust in your own patterns. This guide shows how to spot timing shifts, track symptoms and impairment, and bring clearer data to your care team.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 129 min read


ADHD Overwhelm in Midlife: Why Perimenopause Can Shrink Your “Bandwidth”
Perimenopause can feel like your brain’s “bandwidth” suddenly shrank: the same calendar, noise, decisions, and caregiving demands now trigger faster overload. For midlife women with ADHD, that can look like irritability, task paralysis, shutdown, or a sharp rise in shame. This guide explains what ADHD overwhelm is, why perimenopause can amplify it, and realistic, low-shame ways to get unstuck.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 128 min read


Autism Hot Flashes: Why Temperature Shifts Can Trigger Shutdowns or Meltdowns
Autism hot flashes can feel like more than “being warm.” If your nervous system already runs close to overload, a sudden temperature shift in perimenopause or menopause can flip the switch into shutdowns or meltdowns. This guide explains why, what to watch for, and how to plan supports that actually fit your life.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 128 min read


Perimenopause Sensory Overload: When Noise, Heat, Clothes, and Touch Become “Too Much”
Perimenopause sensory overload can turn everyday input—noise, heat, seams, and touch - into “too much.” Learn why thresholds shift, how autism/ADHD can intersect, and practical ways to prevent shutdowns and recover faster.

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 1210 min read


ADHD Insomnia in Perimenopause: “Wired but Tired” and the 3AM Brain
Last reviewed: 02/12/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you are in perimenopause and dealing with adhd insomnia , you may recognize the same nightly script: you are exhausted at 9PM, wide awake at 11PM, and then your brain turns on like a searchlight at 3AM. This “wired but tired” pattern is not a character flaw. It is often a predictable interaction between hormonal transition, stress physiology, and an ADHD brain that has a harder time downshifting. 💡 Key takeaway: When

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 129 min read


“I Can’t Do One More Thing”: Demand Avoidance ADHD, Perimenopause, and ADHD Burnout
Last reviewed: 02/12/2026 Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly If you’re in midlife and living with ADHD, you might recognize the moment when your brain says “I can’t do one more thing,” and your whole system shuts down. Demand avoidance adhd can show up as procrastination, irritability, or a sudden need to escape, even when you care deeply about the task. When perimenopause and long-term overfunctioning enter the mix, the “avoidance” often isn’t about attitude, it’s about nervous sy

Kiesa Kelly
Feb 128 min read
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