ADHD Aha!

Eric Tivers had always struggled with reading. Then someone told Eric her own story about how ADHD made it hard for her to read. Then it clicked with Eric that he could have ADHD, too.  Before his “aha” moment, Eric had trouble studying and keeping his GPA up in college. He’d been evaluated as a child, and he’d had an IEP in school. But they hadn’t picked up on his ADHD. Reading his old report cards now, it’s obvious to Eric that he was struggling with ADHD all along.Eric, a licensed clinical social worker, is the founder and CEO of the ADHD reWired network. Getting diagnosed with and understanding ADHD has been pivotal in his self-awareness journey. On his show and in all his work, he’s candid about his struggles. “When we can get vulnerable … that’s where real growth happens.”  This isn’t the first time host Laura Key and Eric have chatted. Laura was recently on an episode of Eric’s podcast, ADHD reWired. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.  We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.  Related resourcesADHD reWired: Anxiety and ADHD Aha! with Laura KeyWhat is growth mindset?ADHD and co-occuring conditionsADHD tips from my college years 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

Kids and adults with ADHD are more likely to be bullied than their peers. So in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month this October, we’re doing a special episode to shed light on the problem. Psychologist and Understood expert Dr. Andy Kahn — who has ADHD himself — answers Laura’s questions on ADHD and bullying. What behaviors make kids with ADHD targets for bullying? Are people with ADHD more likely to bully others? What can we do about it?  You’ll also hear bullying stories from a number of ADHD Aha! guests — some you’ve heard in previous episodes, and some you haven’t. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.  We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.  Related resourcesBullying and learning differencesThe difference between teasing and bullyingWhat to do when your child is the bullyGet more information at stopbullying.gov. 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

Miya Kofo is a 16-year-old high school student with ADHD — and the star of Understood’s “Be the Reason” campaign to fight stigma around learning and thinking differences. Miya was diagnosed in middle school. Her dad, who also has ADHD, helped her see it was nothing to be ashamed of and that she could accomplish anything. Host Laura Key and Miya talk about how ADHD is still often ignored in girls, and how the pressure to be perfect can make symptoms even worse. Miya also shares her thoughts about TikTok — the positives (getting the word about ADHD out there) and the negatives (“doom scrolling”) for people with ADHD.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.  We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.  Related resourcesSee Miya in our "Be the reason" campaign videoADHD in high school: 4 signs you might seeADHD in girls vs. ADHD in boysWhat is a 504 plan? 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

Erin Lazoen is a listener who wrote in about her “aha!” moment during the pandemic. Working full time, and a newly single parent, Erin had a lot going on stuck inside four walls. She was diagnosed with ADHD and struggled with reading comprehension as a kid, but she didn’t realize just how much was going on inside her head as an adult. She decided it was time to revisit her ADHD diagnosis. During the pandemic, Erin wasn’t able to push all her thoughts to the back of her head like usual. Stuck inside, she felt as if all she could do was flip through all the open tabs in her brain. But all of that is part of what makes her such a great — and creative — parent. Also in this episode: feeling like an “oddball” in your family, and how that can actually be a huge strength. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.  We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.  Related resourcesWhat’s the difference between inattention and distractibility?Classroom accommodations for ADHDWhy kids have trouble understanding or remembering what they read 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

Kenny Friedman is a creative director with ADHD who’s driven to constantly do more and better. And yet he calls himself an underachiever. (Stay tuned to the 18-minute mark for a mini “aha” moment on that.)  Kenny has been diagnosed with ADHD twice, but his true ADHD “aha” came after his second diagnosis. He realized ADHD is actually what makes him so creative and great at his job. Yes, ADHD has its ups and downs. But for Kenny, his ability to get bored quickly allows him to always be innovating and improving his ideas.  Kenny grew up as the class clown and still holds that title today. Join a conversation with Kenny and host Laura Key on ADHD and creativity. Also in this episode: Is there a connection between punk rock and ADHD?To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.  We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.  Related resourcesADHD and creativityADHD and boredomThe 3 areas of executive function 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

Rebecca Phillips Epstein has ADHD. But as with many high-achieving girls, her symptoms were missed early on. Then, during the pandemic, it finally clicked: She discovered a Twitter thread about people who beat themselves up for being lazy when clearly they’re not. Rebecca has always been aware of her challenges — procrastination, being late, and having a million great ideas that never get finished. As a screenplay writer and essayist, she’d overcompensate so no one would be the wiser. Hear how an ADHD diagnosis helped her rethink what she used to call “personality failures” or “laziness.” Also in this episode: How depression treatment before her ADHD diagnosis helped her tread water but never “surf.” Rebecca also talks about her decision to stop breastfeeding her second child in order to stay on her ADHD medication. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Related resourcesADHD and the myth of lazinessADHD and the brain8 common myths about ADHDYou can also check out Rebecca's Washington Post article on ADHD medication and breastfeeding. 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

Dr. Sasha Hamdani is a psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD and anxiety. She was diagnosed with ADHD in fourth grade after starting what she calls a “riot” in her classroom. But she didn’t find out she had ADHD until much later, when she hit a wall in the competitive medical school environment. After discovering her diagnosis, she unplugged from academics to learn more about herself — and about ADHD. Now she debunks ADHD myths one by one on social media. Dr. Sasha shares her story, including her thoughts on her parents’ decision to not tell her she had ADHD until she was an adult. Stay tuned to the end to hear Dr. Sasha talk about the connection between ADHD and anxiety. And get her advice on how to ask kids about ADHD symptoms and challenges, like boredom. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Related resourcesADHD and anxietyADHD in girlsADHD and boredomPre-order Dr. Sasha’s bookDr. Sasha’s Instagram 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

Jon Gardea has ADHD... and his wife Rachel doesn’t. She helped him spot the signs, though, including his hobby graveyard. Once Jon got diagnosed, it was clear that ADHD had been impacting their marriage over the years. Having an explanation created a positive mindset shift in their relationship, bringing them even closer. Rachel hosts a YouTube channel called Post-Mormon Parenting. In this episode, she and Jon also talk about how leaving the Mormon church contributed to Jon’s ADHD discovery. Listen to this heartfelt and honest discussion to get a behind-the-scenes look at ADHD and marriage.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.Related resourcesPost-Mormon Parenting YouTube ChannelThe relationship between ADHD and executive functioning“Setting aside” my ADHD to be a better parent and husband 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

Laura and the ADHD Aha! team have been blown away by all of the thoughtful and candid emails we get from our listeners about their own ADHD “aha” moments. So with their permission, we’re sharing a few of them here! Find out which ADHD symptoms some of our listeners have struggled with and what their path to ADHD diagnosis was like. From all of us at the ADHD Aha! podcast, thank you for writing to us and for all of the kind words. Keep ’em coming! Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resourcesADHD symptoms at different agesFind more ADHD personal stories in our Medium publication, for/by.Share your story, too! 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

Jake Lambert watched his mother thrive once she was diagnosed with ADHD and getting ADHD treatment. That pushed him to look for answers about his own struggles to pay attention. He wondered why he was so irritable, why he had trouble managing emotions, and why he struggled to keep friends. He figured they were just “bad” traits of his — but in reality, it was ADHD. Growing up, Jake did well enough in school that no one caught his ADHD symptoms. He’d have to re-read a page three times because he’d get distracted. And he constantly procrastinated on homework assignments. Jake and host Laura Key also talk about how ADHD can make you feel “crackly,” and coping strategies that help them.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org. Related resourcesADHD symptoms at different agesFind more ADHD personal stories in our Medium publication, for/by.Share your story, too! 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