The Lion Theory Project.
In 2019, J.C. Atkins began developing what is now known as The Lion Theory — a trauma recovery framework shaped by lived experience and an interest in cognitive science, neuroscience and human behaviour.
Born from a journey through childhood adversity and the challenges that can follow into adulthood, The Lion Theory aims to help people better understand themselves, recognise behavioural patterns and explore healthier ways forward.
In her work in the Lion Theory, J C Atkins proves that everyone who has suffered from childhood trauma will have a collective set of behaviours and mimicking ADHD led Autism created during a prolonged stress response in childhood.
The Lion Theory Research Paper (2019)
In The Lion Theory Research Paper (2019), J. C. Atkins explores the potential relationship between childhood trauma, prolonged stress responses and behavioural patterns that may emerge during childhood development.
Drawing together research from neuroscience and related fields, Atkins seeks to connect existing scientific findings to develop a unified theoretical framework. Her work proposes that prolonged childhood stress may influence developmental processes and contribute to behaviours that resemble those associated with ADHD and autism.
The paper presents Atkins’ theory of mimicking ADHD-led autism pathways, suggesting that prolonged stress responses during critical developmental stages may contribute to patterns of behaviour that resemble characteristics associated with these conditions. Through this framework, she aims to explore the possible connections between early-life adversity, neurological development and the behavioural responses that may follow.
The Case Study of Victor of Aveyron
Atkins further explores her theory through the historical case of Victor of Aveyron, the French child discovered living in the wild in the late eighteenth century.
Drawing on the work of French physician and educator Jean Marc Gaspard Itard, who documented his attempts to educate and support Victor, Atkins re-examines the historical observations through the lens of her proposed framework.
She considers whether Victor’s documented behaviours can be understood in relation to collective behavioural patterns associated with childhood adversity and whether some of these observations resemble traits commonly associated with ADHD or autism.
By revisiting Itard’s work, Atkins aims to connect historical case observations with contemporary research and develop her wider theory concerning childhood trauma, stress responses and developmental pathways.
The central aim of the Lion Theory Research Paper is to bring together historical observations and scientific research to explore how prolonged childhood adversity may influence development and behaviour.
The Lion Theory Neuroscience Paper (2019)
In The Lion Theory Neuroscience Paper (2019), J. C. Atkins explores the effects of prolonged stress responses during childhood development and their potential impact on brain development. The paper brings together research from neuroscience and related fields, connecting findings to form a broader framework for understanding the relationship between childhood trauma, stress responses and neurodevelopment.
Atkins proposes a theory that prolonged childhood trauma may influence cognitive and neurological pathways associated with traits observed in ADHD and autism. The work aims to build on existing research into stress responses and developmental neuroscience, extending the discussion of how early-life adversity may shape the developing brain.
The Foundation of Autism and ADHD (2026)
The Foundation of Autism and ADHD (2026) aims to bring together scientific findings from across the field to develop a more comprehensive understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions and mental health disorders.
The approach uses a jigsaw analogy: individual research findings represent pieces of evidence that, when considered together, may help reveal broader patterns. Where gaps in the evidence remain, relevant studies—including animal research where appropriate—may help researchers investigate specific mechanisms and formulate further questions.
The wider ambition is to examine existing evidence concerning autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, exploring potential shared mechanisms, developmental influences and differences between these conditions.