Jana Buhlmann

Jana Buhlmann is in her mid fifties and exploring what it means to self identify as neurodivergent. Would she be diagnosed if assessed? Has she masked and coped for “too long” to be seen? Is it healthier for her to develop her own understanding and awareness, fully outside of the medical system? She knows she is not alone in her questions, reading many similar perspectives from other undiagnosed adults who feel at a crossroads in understanding themselves.

Jana is a long time public servant with a Masters in Archival Studies and a BA Honours in Political Science and double major in Psychology. She has invested numerous years in advocacy within the autoimmune alopecia areata community, as a board member for the Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation as well as managing an independent social media group for Canadians living with alopecia areata. She has also used her voice more generally as a patient and caregiver advocate through Patient Voices BC, Health Quality BC, and Dying With Dignity Canada.

Jana is the mother of a young adult who received an autism diagnosis in her early teens and is now thriving in university.