Focus Forward: An Executive Function Podcast Ep 74: ADHD Under Pressure: How to Break the Cycle of Bullying and Rebuild Self-Worth (ft. Brooke Schnittman)
Hi everyone! Today we’re exploring the connection between ADHD and bullying.
Research consistently shows that children with ADHD are more vulnerable to bullying than their neurotypical peers. For instance, a study utilizing data from the National Survey of Children's Health found that 47% of children with ADHD reported being victims of bullying, more than double the prevalence in the general population PMC.
This increased susceptibility isn't just a childhood issue—it extends into adolescence and adulthood, affecting self-esteem and mental health. Adolescents with ADHD who experience bullying are at a significantly higher risk for anxiety and depression compared to their peers without ADHD.
My guest today, Brooke Schnittman, knows this firsthand. Brooke is an ADHD coach, speaker, and host of the podcast, Successful with ADHD. She works to help adults turn their challenges into strengths. In our conversation, she shares her own story of being bullied from childhood into adulthood, how it shaped her understanding of ADHD, and what helped her begin to rebuild a sense of self-worth.
This episode isn’t just about surviving bullying - it’s about understanding how those experiences shape the brain and the stories we tell ourselves, and how healing becomes possible through awareness, coaching, and connection. I also share some additional strategies - both for parents and adults - that can help build proactive protection and resilience in environments where bullying or exclusion might occur. I hope you enjoy!
Here are the show notes:
Learn More About Brooke
https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/about-brooke
Successfull with ADHD Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successfull-with-adhd/id1674069554
Bullying: What Parents and Teachers of Children with ADHD Need to Know
https://chadd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ATTN_06_12_Bullying.pdf
Bullying Resource Center
https://www.aacap.org/aacap/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Bullying_Resource_Center/Home.aspx
How to Demobilize a Bully in 5 Steps
Put Down the Stick, Pick Up a Feather: Adult ADHD & Self-Criticism
https://chadd.org/attention-article/put-down-the-stick-pick-up-a-feather-adult-adhd-self-criticism/
Learn More About Our MAP Program
https://map.worksmartcoaching.com
Learn More About 1:1 Coaching
https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works
Get in Touch
podcast@beyondbooksmart.com
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www.beyondbooksmart.com