Katie shares her journey with ADHD, describing it as her superpower. She discusses managing her condition for 20 years without medication, and why she reconsidered meds after returning to work post-baby. The challenges of balancing parenting and entrepreneurship with ADHD surface as she reflects on the support systems she's utilized. Katie also dives into the positive impacts of medication on her confidence and social interactions, while offering personal strategies for staying balanced in her life.
Katie reflects on her lifelong journey with ADHD, highlighting how it has shaped her identity and decision-making processes.
She emphasizes the critical role of supportive learning environments in helping ADHD students thrive, contrasting her positive and negative educational experiences.
Katie discusses her recent return to medication, expressing how it has enhanced her daily functioning while maintaining her unique identity and self-care practices.
Deep dives
Reflecting on ADHD Awareness
The speaker discusses their personal journey with ADHD, emphasizing how it has been a lifelong part of their identity. They express surprise at now wanting to share their experiences publicly, noting that they previously accepted ADHD as simply a part of themselves without much contemplation. Through reflection, they recognize how ADHD influenced their decisions and behaviors over the years, including the role of medication at different stages of life. The speaker aims to convey that while their journey is unique, they hope sharing their story may resonate with others navigating similar challenges.
Educational Experiences and Strategies
The speaker begins with their educational background, highlighting their positive experiences in Montessori school and how it accommodated their ADHD tendencies. They contrast this with their experiences in public school, particularly during their time in Singapore, which emphasized rigorous academic standards. At a young age, they self-diagnosed their ADHD after recognizing symptoms presented in the media, leading them to seek formal assessment and later medication. These educational insights underscore the importance of supportive learning environments tailored to the needs of ADHD students.
Navigating High School Challenges
In high school, the speaker encountered significant struggles with traditional learning structures, often questioning the relevance of the material presented. Despite these challenges, they highlight the positive influence of supportive teachers who recognized their potential and helped them navigate academic hurdles. The speaker shares how summer school allowed them to hyper-focus on subjects they enjoyed, like math, leading to improved academic performance. This experience illustrates how personalized support can empower individuals with ADHD to excel despite systemic challenges.
Embracing ADHD as a Superpower
The speaker proudly describes their ADHD as a superpower, attributing their creativity, energy, and ability to generate ideas to this aspect of their identity. They acknowledge that while there are challenges, the strengths associated with ADHD—such as hyper-focus and problem-solving—have enabled them to achieve entrepreneurial success despite their difficulties in structured environments. Their journey emphasizes the value of embracing and harnessing one's unique traits rather than attempting to conform to traditional expectations. Importantly, they stress that ADHD should be recognized and nurtured, particularly in children, as it can lead to remarkable achievements.
Recent Developments with Medication and Life Changes
Recently, the speaker decided to revisit medication after becoming a parent and noticing increased challenges in managing their ADHD. They describe their initial fear of losing their identity through medication but later found that it allowed them to engage more fully in social situations and manage daily tasks more effectively. The introduction of medication improved their focus and confidence, significantly enhancing their personal and professional relationships. However, they also continue to prioritize self-care practices and maintain a structured lifestyle to support their mental health while navigating the complexities of ADHD.
In this solo episode, Katie does a deep dive into her journey with ADHD, aka her superpower. She discusses her diagnosis and the systems and tools she learned to manage her ADHD without meds for 20 years. Katie spills on why she decided to explore meds again a year after returning to work post-baby and shares more about how they are working for her and the practices she is using to stay balanced while on them. Meds and all, she's still our eccentric girl, and we love her.
