75 episodes

Listen to people share candid stories about the moment it clicked that they, or someone they know, has ADHD. Host Laura Key, who’s had her own ADHD “aha” moment, chats with guests about common topics like ADHD and shame, mental health challenges, and more. Through heartfelt interviews, listeners learn about the unexpected, emotional, and even funny ways ADHD symptoms surface for kids and adults.

ADHD Aha‪!‬ Understood.org

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.9 • 74 Ratings

Listen to people share candid stories about the moment it clicked that they, or someone they know, has ADHD. Host Laura Key, who’s had her own ADHD “aha” moment, chats with guests about common topics like ADHD and shame, mental health challenges, and more. Through heartfelt interviews, listeners learn about the unexpected, emotional, and even funny ways ADHD symptoms surface for kids and adults.

    An ADHD coach on burnout (Jaye Lin’s story)

    An ADHD coach on burnout (Jaye Lin’s story)

    ADHD coach Jaye Lin is no stranger to ADHD burnout. As an Asian American former gifted kid with undiagnosed ADHD, her parents thought she was just being lazy and not applying herself. This pressure and shame followed until her 20s, when her anxiety peaked while she was working at a high-pressure job.

    Jaye’s therapist thought she was drug-seeking when she wanted to be screened for ADHD. Now, Jaye builds communities and helps others prioritize what’s important when tunnel vision takes over our lives.

    Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “ADHD Aha!” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.

    • 35 min
    Impulse buying, negative bank balances, and the ADHD tax (Paulette’s story)

    Impulse buying, negative bank balances, and the ADHD tax (Paulette’s story)

    In 2016, Paulette Perhach wrote a piece proclaiming that all women need an emergency fund — what she calls an “f-off fund.” But when she struggled to secure an emergency fund for herself, she suspected she might have ADHD. Paulette, a successful author and writing coach, put off the evaluation because she couldn’t afford the $260 price tag.

    In this episode of “ADHD Aha!,” Paulette talks about her trouble with impulse buying and online shopping. She shares her family’s history with money issues, including bankruptcy. And she and Laura have an emotional exchange about the ADHD tax.  

    Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “ADHD Aha!” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.

    • 22 min
    Why “just try harder” is a myth (David Flink’s story)

    Why “just try harder” is a myth (David Flink’s story)

    As a child, David Flink was told to “just try harder.”  But David wasn’t lazy. He was trying as hard as he could. 

    After being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in the 5th grade, David went to a school that taught him to “try smarter” instead. There he learned to pick paths that work better for his brain. 

    Today, David is an author, advocate, and speaker. He’s also the founder and chief empowerment officer of Eye to Eye, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving experiences for students with learning differences. Host Laura Key and David discuss how Eye to Eye was born, and bust some age-old ADHD myths. 

    Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “ADHD Aha!” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.

    • 27 min
    "Why don’t you listen?” Paying attention vs. hearing (Peter’s story)

    "Why don’t you listen?” Paying attention vs. hearing (Peter’s story)

    Peter Jones used to feel better about saying he had a hearing problem rather than considering ADHD. When he was a child in the 90s, adults thought his “listening problem” was because he couldn’t hear. Turns out, Peter does have some trouble hearing lower frequencies, but that didn’t explain his other symptoms.

    Now, Peter knows he has ADHD and is not afraid to say it. On this episode, Host Laura Key and Peter discuss what it means when a child is “listening,” and how auditory processing comes into play.

    Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “ADHD Aha!” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.

    • 21 min
    Not lazy, but exhausted from analysis paralysis (Emily’s story)

    Not lazy, but exhausted from analysis paralysis (Emily’s story)

    ADHD coach Emily Weinberg is no stranger to analysis paralysis. Before she was diagnosed, she thought she was just lazy, and that she couldn’t have ADHD since she wasn’t hyperactive. But whenever she was being “unproductive,” she was actually just frozen. She was stuck thinking about the list of things to do mounting in her head.

    When she first spoke to a psychiatrist about ADHD, Emily was told that “she just seemed like an anxious mom with young kids.” So her ADHD was missed, which happens for so many women. Since then, Emily has worked hard to understand herself better, and now she empowers others to do the same.

    Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “ADHD Aha!” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.

    • 24 min
    ADHD and dyslexia, and the reading anxiety that comes with both (Carol’s story)

    ADHD and dyslexia, and the reading anxiety that comes with both (Carol’s story)

    Growing up, Carol Blumenstein was labeled an unteachable student. She was terrified to read during class, and school only brought huge anxiety. Luckily, her mom believed in her in a way teachers didn’t. She put Carol in community college courses and pushed her to turn her frustration into motivation.

    Carol didn’t know she had ADHD and dyslexia until she saw her own children — all five of them — struggle with the same things she did when she was little. But this time the issues were addressed and they were understood by their teachers.

    Now, Carol’s kids have founded their own organization, KidsRead2Kids, which provides free video audiobooks read by kids for kids and other helpful resources.

    Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “ADHD Aha!” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
74 Ratings

74 Ratings

It's Your Girl Jan ,

Why do these strangers keep talking about me?!

Love this podcast. Was diagnosed as an adult only two years ago. When I hear other ADHD-ers’ stories, it feels like strangers have been secretly stalking me my whole life and then talking to each other about all my secret (and public) struggles in a very public forum 😆😆😆 Truly!! It’s INSANE. Insane. And very validating. Thank you so much for doing these!! It’s important and healing.

DB NP ,

Grateful clinician

I work with children (and parents!) during the diagnostic and treatment process for ADHD and other related conditions (like learning differences! - thank you “in it!”). I’m grateful to be able to point parents toward a well researched, thoughtful and relatable podcast to help them get acquainted with ADHD. It’s nice to have an option aside from recommending a book and I’ve had a lot of parents come back saying that it’s helped them to understand their child through a new lens. It’s also helpful for me as a clinician to listen to stories of people impacted by ADHD. Thank you! Hoping for lots more awesome content

yarncake ,

Grateful

So much of the content I find to understand ADHD seems to be “I was successful and a good student but something didn’t seem right.” My diagnosis is fresh and the successful narrative doesn’t reflect me, someone who always idealized what life could be but hasn’t been able motivate beyond daydreaming. At 46 I finally found out why I spent my life languishing and I finally see myself in a few of these conversations. One thing I would love to hear more of is strategies people use to boost their dopamine since I’m a nursing mama and medication isn’t an option yet.
Thank you for sharing the spectrum seen in ADHD!

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