Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson

Meghan Whittaker, former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Education, and Julian Saavedra, an assistant principal in Philadelphia, dive into the chaos surrounding recent layoffs in special education. They discuss the impact on students and families, the risks to IEP services, and the need for parental advocacy. The guests also analyze the implications of school vouchers and the challenges of federal oversight versus local school budgeting. Their insights shed light on a critical moment for special education in the U.S.

ADHD just keeps finding itself in the news. It can feel like a lot for those of us who have it or care for someone who does. Recently, Hyperfocus host Rae Jacobson sat down with a couple colleagues at Understood.org for a livestream to discuss the news and take community questions. Her guests were Dr. Andy Kahn, a licensed psychologist, and Dr. Keona “KJ” Wynne. Together, they chatted about the controversy surrounding Tylenol, what we really know about the cause of neurodevelopmental disorders, and how to talk to your kids about scary or misleading messages in the news.On this week’s Hyperfocus, we’re sharing that conversation in full. For more on this topic:Fact-checking the MAHA report’s claims about ADHDA history of ADHD medicationTimestamps: (01:10)  Does Tylenol use during pregnancy cause neurodevelopmental disorders?(15:32) Is ADHD being overdiagnosed?(28:35) Are too many kids taking stimulant medications? (41:01) How can we talk to our kids about scary or misleading media messages?For a transcript and more resources, visit Hyperfocus on Understood.org. You can also email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inattentive ADHD often goes unnoticed. It’s an easier type of ADHD to miss because it’s more internal and less outwardly visible than its hyperactive, impulsive counterpart. But left unaddressed, inattentive ADHD can be just as disruptive.Boys with the inattentive type are especially overlooked — they don’t match the stereotype of what an “ADHD boy” is supposed to look like.So when Brandon Saiz wrote to us about his experience getting diagnosed with ADHD later in life, we knew we had to talk to him. After meeting with Brandon, it was clear his story needed to be shared.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please skip it if that’s not something you’re up for right now.For more on this topic:The 3 types of ADHDListen: The “devastating” findings of a decades-long ADHD studyBrandon Saiz on SubstackDuck, Duck! It's a Goose: Brandon's video gameTimestamps(01:54) Brandon’s background(09:23) How Brandon’s inattentive-type ADHD was overlooked(14:00) On suicidal ideation and inattentive ADHD (19:57) Brandon’s advice to othersFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Amy Gaeta, an AI ethicist and researcher at the University of Cambridge who is autistic, dives deep into the intersection of AI and neurodiversity. She discusses how AI can be both beneficial and harmful in the workplace, highlighting its potential biases against disabled individuals. Amy explores the role of assistive technology and practical AI applications, while addressing the risks of chatbot therapy. She provides a thoughtful look at the future of AI, advocating for community-led models that prioritize accessibility and justice for neurodivergent people.

Craig Thomas is best known for his work on TV. He co-created the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” and has written for “American Dad” and more. He’s penned songs for “Sesame Street” and essays for “The New Yorker.” He’s less known for being a dad. For now, at least. He has a daughter, Celia, and a son, Elliot, who was born with Jacobsen syndrome, a genetic condition causing physical and developmental disabilities. When Elliot was born, Craig’s career was taking off with “How I Met Your Mother.” “I was living an hour drama show at home and then driving to work and doing a sitcom,” Craig says. His upcoming novel, “That’s Not How It Happened,” is based in part on his family’s experience.If you heard our series on the resurgence of the R-word, you’ll recognize Craig’s voice. The conversation with him was so good that we’re sharing more!For more on this topicPreorder Craig’s novelCheck out Craig’s podcastHear Craig on our R-word episodes, part 1 and part 2Timestamps(02:20) Craig’s backstory and current work(09:45) How Craig relates to the disability community(13:10) Disability and media depictions (29:04) Comedy, the R-word, and why language matters(39:10) On parenting a child with disabilitiesFor a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, a leading psychologist and head of the Berkeley Girls study, sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges girls with ADHD face. He discusses the devastating findings of the study, particularly regarding self-esteem and the stigma surrounding ADHD. The conversation also touches on the rising diagnoses among women and the need for better understanding and support. Listeners are urged to embrace their diagnoses for self-acceptance while addressing the systemic biases in ADHD research that have left girls underserved.

One of the most inevitable questions that comes with early adulthood is also one of the most fraught: “When are you having kids?” The question is loaded with assumptions and pressure. It also seems to ignore the fact that having kids is supposed to be a choice, not a requirement. For neurodivergent people, especially those with ADHD, deciding whether to become a parent can be even more complex. On this episode of “Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson,” we talk with author and editorial director Jordan Davidson. She’s interviewed hundreds of people about their decision on whether to become a parent. Related resourcesJordan’s book: “So When Are You Having Kids?”Podcast series: Climbing the WallsTimestamps(03:06) What inspired Jordan’s book(08:35) Jordan’s findings from hundreds of interviews(12:28) How to break schemas attached to parenthood(24:28) The fantasy of the “idealized parent” For a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re picking up where we left off last time on Hyperfocus for the conclusion of our two-part series on the R-word’s resurgence. Today, we meet a comedy writer who shares his personal evolution with the word and hear from a disability advocate. We’ll also learn more from our research correspondent, Dr. KJ Wynne, and have producer Cody Nelson back on to hear from host Rae Jacobson about what she’s learned. Related resourcesAndrea Moore ArtsCraig Thomas’ upcoming novelDr. Chris Cipriano’s websiteWe love hearing from our listeners! Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last year, Rae and Cody at Team Hyperfocus noticed something unnerving: The R-word was coming back into public discourse. People, especially people in power, seemed to be using it more often, and more freely. We weren’t the only ones who’d spotted this upsetting trend. Researchers, disability advocates, and other journalists were also concerned. If this word, long considered a slur, was being used by some very powerful people, what did that mean for people with disabilities?So we dove in, talking to researchers, members of the community, and even a famous comedy writer. (You’ll see!) And we surfaced with another, deeper question: If the R-word can, and does, cause harm, how do you get people to care? Related resourcesSpread the Word campaignDisability Discourse MattersThe ‘R-Word’ Is Back. How a Slur Became Renormalized (Special Olympics)  Rosa’s LawWe love hearing from our listeners! Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org. Understood 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy summer, everyone! Because of the holiday weekend, we’re re-airing one of our favorite Hyperfocus episodes yet, which happens to be our very first one. We’ll be back in your feeds with a fresh show in two weeks. After her daughter was born, Rae Jacobson was hit by a bout of severe postpartum depression. Back then, there wasn’t much out there about ADHD and women, let alone ADHD and postpartum mental health.Rae had heard that there was a link between ADHD and postpartum depression. But with a tiny baby to care for and a life to navigate, she had more pressing things to deal with. But the question kept bugging her: Does ADHD make you more likely to have postpartum depression?This week on Hyperfocus, Rae finally gets some answers to questions she has had for years. Her guest is Dr. Catherine Birndorf, an expert on postpartum mood disorders and co-founder, CEO, and medical director of The Motherhood Center of New York.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at hyperfocus@understood.org.Timestamps(02:55) ADHD as a postpartum concern(09:47) PMADs: Not just the ‘baby blues’(14:21) What can struggling parents do?(21:07) Medication and pregnancyRelated resourcesCatherine’s book: What No One Tells You3 things I’m learning as a new mom with ADHD 72 hours in the life of a working mom with ADHDParenting tips when you and your child have ADHD Understood 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.