A valedictorian with ADHD, autism, and a disciplinary record (Ann Bennett’s story)

This week, host Laura Key sits down with her co-worker Dr. Ann Bennett, who leads applied research and evaluation at Understood.org. Ann shares her own autism and ADHD diagnosis story — one that didn’t unfold until the end of her PhD program.

Ann was valedictorian of her high school. She also had a disciplinary record. She’d get bored and sometimes fall asleep in class because she’d already taught herself the material. First diagnosed with autism and later with ADHD, Ann reflects on what those labels helped her understand about herself and her brain.

She also shares findings from our recent “Women With ADHD: The Power of Podcasts” study, where she surveyed and interviewed women who listen to Understood podcasts — including ADHD Aha! Along the way, Ann found herself having her own “aha” moments.

For more on this topic: 

• Women with ADHD: The power of podcasts
• What is AuDHD?
• ADHD and women

Timestamps:  

(00:00) Intro

(02:08) Growing up undiagnosed 

(06:13) Being diagnosed with autism and ADHD during her PhD

(11:07) Meeting her husband, and unmasking for the first time

(13:28) Sharing her story more with others

(14:19) “Women With ADHD: The Power of Podcasts” study Ann conducted on Understood.org podcasts

(23:44) Specific statistics from the study

(32:00) Outro and credits

For a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. You can also email us at adhdaha@understood.org.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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