Marking Neurodiversity Celebration Week
We often get asked about Neurodiversity & working in television – a topic we are really interested in. Former PTS trainee Danielle Watkeys currently working at North One in Birmingham shares her experience:
I anticipated I might struggle in the industry, with networking being such a crucial part of finding opportunities, but I stand corrected! I have now made good connections and even been invited to talk to people hoping to get into the industry or even those already well established!
I have been lucky enough to have gathered over 30 credits on shows such as Guy Martin, Travel Man and The Gadget Show, been able to travel around the UK, (alone - which I just wouldn’t have done prior to starting my TV career) work in studio, on location in the office and spent 12 months undertaking monthly training with one of the UK’s biggest broadcasters, whilst also representing a part of the neurodiverse community along the way.
My mental health has been at its best, which is likely the result of being suited to the creative world, where my strengths lie, but being neurodivergent is different for everyone and me and my twin are good examples of this, with the same diagnoses, but very different skills and interests. Undoubtedly ADHD or ASD can mean difficulties for me and will sometimes mean adjustments are required, however I try see the benefits it brings like skills that just simply cannot be learnt, i.e. hyper-focus or very little time required to learn things which may take many years for others, meaning that at times being neurodivergent can make me the best at what I do and TV has certainly helped me to see this!
