ADHD Aha!

Latest Episodes:

Listener letters roundup (YOUR stories) Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

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 resources

ADHD symptoms at different ages
Find more ADHD personal stories in our Medium publication, for/by.
Share your story, too! Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.

Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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ADHD, irritability, and friendship (Jake’s story) Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

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 resources

ADHD symptoms at different ages
Find more ADHD personal stories in our Medium publication, for/by.
Share your story, too! Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADHD or a “bad personality”? (Kai’s story) Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Kai Liu thought she was doing a good job masking her distractibility and overall frazzled-ness. It wasn’t until a friend checked in with her that she realized she wasn’t masking her ADHD symptoms as well as she thought. After some reflection about her trouble with focus, she knew it was time to ask a doctor about ADHD.
Kai grew up thinking she just had a “bad personality.” But this conversation with host Laura Key shows that this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Through her ADHD diagnosis, and some self-kindness, she’s turning that thinking around. Hear about the overlooked symptoms of ADHD in adult women, and listen as Laura and Kai, who’s a comedian, play an impromptu ADHD game show!

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 resources

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADHD and sleep problems (from the “In It” podcast) Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

Bonus episode! Learn about ADHD and sleep from our friends at Understood’s In It podcast. Hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra first hear from a mom whose son has ADHD, autism, and sleep challenges. Then they speak with clinical psychologist Dr. Roberto Olivardia about the connection between ADHD and sleep — including why people with ADHD may have sleep problems.
Get a transcript of this show and check out more “In It” episodes at u.org/init.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.
Related resources

How ADHD affects sleep — and what you can do to help
Download: Bedtime checklists for kids
Follow Belinda on Instagram or Twitter to see more about her advocacy for neurodivergent people.

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What is ADHD? May 24, 2022

Show notes

You’ve heard our guests’ stories about their ADHD symptoms…but what exactly is ADHD? A bunch of listeners have asked for an ADHD explainer. So this episode, we’re doing something different. The best explanation of ADHD we’ve ever heard comes from clinical psychologist and ADHD expert Dr. Thomas Brown. We’re posting the audio of the YouTube video he did with Understood here, along with some commentary from host Laura Key.
Dr. Brown defines ADHD, shares relatable and detailed examples of ADHD symptoms, and explains the ADHD brain. We hope you enjoy — and that it’s helpful.
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 resources

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Her intense, restless son harnessed ADHD by climbing mountains (Michelle’s story) May 10, 2022

Show notes

Marc-André Leclerc was a skilled rock climber and alpinist who died at age 25 in the mountains of Alaska. He’s the subject of a Netflix documentary, The Alpinist. Marc-André was diagnosed with ADHD and written expression disorder as a child. Through climbing, he found an outlet for his intensity and hyperfocus — and his achievements were nothing short of extraordinary.

Marc-André's mother, Michelle Kuipers, homeschooled him and helped him learn to channel his ADHD. Michelle joins the show to talk about her son and her approach to parenting a child with ADHD. She shares how Marc-André would be more panicked about renewing a passport than about climbing mountains alone and without ropes.

Listen as Michelle describes Marc-André’s loving and generous spirit and how she wants her son to be remembered.
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 resources

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADHD and distraction in the military and at home (Justen’s story) Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

Justen Scott got diagnosed with ADHD this year at age 27. His ADHD “aha” moment happened while he was stationed in Qatar for military service, and work just kept piling up. Trouble with focus and time management had been a problem for Justen since high school. But when others in the military started to notice his challenges, he knew it was time to get evaluated for ADHD.
Host Laura Key and Justen talk about trying to seem “cool” on the outside — even as thoughts race a mile a minute on the inside — and how one small noise can be a huge distraction. Hear Justen’s take on how the military handles ADHD. And pick up a few tips on managing ADHD along the way.
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 resources

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADHD and shame (Dr. Kojo’s story) Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Kojo Sarfo played life on hard mode with his ADHD before getting diagnosed as an adult. ADHD treatment helped Dr. Kojo cope with his daydreaming and procrastination. But he wanted to do more. Today, he connects with millions of followers on TikTok and other social media, fighting the shame around ADHD and mental health and having conversations that build people up.
Dr. Kojo had an unexpected ADHD “aha” moment: as he was watching an Atlanta Braves baseball game and player Adam LaRoche made an error on a routine ground ball. Join a heartfelt conversation between host Laura Key and Dr. Kojo as they unearth how daydreaming is brainstorming in disguise — and why seeking treatment is the road to self-compassion.
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 resources

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADHD, oversharing, and mom guilt (Lacey’s story) Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

Lacey has ADHD, and so does her daughter. But their ADHD shows up differently. Lacey is more hyperactive, while her daughter is more on the inattentive side. Lacey shares how her daughter’s evaluation shed light on her own ADHD challenges.
Lacey and host Laura Key have a funny conversation about oversharing intimate life details. And they talk about the guilt some moms with ADHD feel.
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 resources

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ADHD, working memory, and feeling like a “burden” (Pablo’s story) Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Pablo Chavez is forgetful and easily distracted, and he has trouble managing emotions. He’s also a playful, fun dad. He has a unique bond with his daughter, who has autism. When Pablo’s wife Britney noticed his trouble with working memory, she encouraged him to get evaluated for ADHD. Pablo reflects on how his ADHD-related challenges can sometimes make him feel like a “burden” at home. But also how his positive attitude brings joy to people around him.
We learned about Pablo’s story because he wrote to us! We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
Related resources

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.