#138 - Dr. Yvonne Wong - ADHD & Autism are her SUPERPOWERS

Dr. Yvonne Wong is a Psychology Professor at the University of Alberta with a rich academic background in Behavioural Neuroscience, having completed her Ph.D. at Western University and her M.Sc. at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience. Despite graduating into the uncertainty of the 2008 recession, she carved out her niche in education—a field she’s always considered a safe haven. Living with both autism and ADHD (AuDHD), Dr. Wong has navigated significant mental health challenges throughout her life, and now uses that lived experience to better connect with and advocate for her students. She’s not just a teacher of psychology—she lives it, breathes it, and continues to grow with it. Whether she’s lecturing on neuropsychology, serving on union council, or engaging in aerial arts and crochet to nourish her well-being, Dr. Wong embodies what it means to be both intellectually rigorous and deeply human. Please welcome, Dr. Yvonne Wong.

As a professor who has taught through different academic eras—before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic—Dr. Wong has observed a significant shift in how mental health is perceived and addressed within university settings. She notes that while past generations, particularly within certain cultural contexts, experienced stigma and shame around discussing mental illness, today's university environments are becoming more supportive and inclusive. Institutions like the University of Alberta now provide resources and accommodations for students. Dr. Wong emphasizes the importance of reducing stigma, both by recognizing that conditions like anxiety and depression are not character flaws but treatable illnesses, and by modeling openness and empathy in the classroom. Drawing from personal and family experiences, she shares how mental health tools—whether it’s medication, therapy, or mindful lifestyle choices—have improved her life and relationships. Her holistic view reminds us that while accommodations matter, it’s also essential to use them as a springboard to grow, contribute, and perform—proving that people with mental health struggles still have immense value to offer.

References

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KEEP IT LONG TERM!