S1 E8 The Truth About ADHD Awareness Month

Awareness Month isn’t just hashtags and graphics. It’s about being seen in a world that still misunderstands what ADHD actually looks like, especially for women.

In this bonus episode, Jess and Jeannine get real about the emotional side of visibility: why “awareness” can feel equal parts empowering and terrifying, how perfectionism and masking show up even in advocacy, and what it really means to stand up and say, “Yes, this is ADHD.”

They talk about representation that finally reflects our lived experience, the fear of being misunderstood (again), and the hope that comes from community and connection. Whether you’re loud and proud or still quietly figuring it out, you belong here.

💡 Mentioned in this episode:

• ADHD Awareness Month 2025 Theme + Resources: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – ADHD Information: CDC Tool Kit (Partner Across a Lifetime)

• Find a Certified ADHD Coach (ACO Directory): ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO)

• ADDA – Attention Deficit Disorder Association: https://add.org

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts — and remember: Visibility isn’t vanity. It’s survival.

#ADHD #ADHDAwarenessMonth #ADHDPodcast #WomenWithADHD #LateDiagnosedADHD #NeurodiverseWomen #ADHDCommunity #ADHDAwareness #ADHDResources #ADHDSupport

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
October is ADHD Awareness Month.

(00:02):
But awareness isn't just a ribbon or a hashtag.
It's survival, validation, and visibility for women like us.
And this year's theme is the many faces of ADHD, which feels perfect because ADHD doesn'tlook exactly the same from the inside or outside for anyone.
It sure doesn't look the same for you and me, Jess.
Nope.
And the truth is, it's still scary to be visible in today's environment.

(00:25):
Today we're digging into what this month is.
who's behind it and why it matters.
a disclaimer, we're not doctors, therapists or psychologists.
We are ADHD coaches with lived experience, this podcast isn't coaching.

(00:51):
and
we're not paid sponsored or backed by Chad a DDA the ADHD coaches organization or ADHDawareness month coalition.
We're sharing information and
for transparency, Jess is a paying member of the ACO and listed in their directory as acertified ADH coach.
And we also both hold membership with ADDA.
uh
What ADHD Awareness Month actually is?
The ADHD Awareness Month coalition runs it.

(01:12):
That's CHAD, ADDA, and the ADHD Coaches Organization.
And those are the three biggest ADHD orgs out there.
Together they provide posters,
fact sheets, videos, and myth busting articles on ADHD.
This year's theme, the many faces of ADHD is about highlighting diversity and that's everyversion of ADHD because ADHD has always been more than the stereotype.

(01:38):
They even host contests for art, memes, and videos.
Real people telling their ADHD stories advocacy isn't just science, it's storytelling.
awareness matters.
Awareness spreads accurate information.
The posters and fact sheets on the coalition sites make it easier to educate schools,workplaces, and even skeptical family members.

(01:59):
is free and printable, so there's no gatekeeping.
And it's not just about educating others.
It's validation for women like us.
Seeing ADHD women described out loud, that is life changing for me.
No matter how many times I see it, it tells me you are part of this community.

(02:21):
were
one
But there's tension too.
Visibility with ADHD is powerful, but it can also feel uncertain in today's environment.
which is why awareness month matters so much.
It pushes back against fear by building a collective voice.
What is the awareness in action?
what are people actually doing this month?
Well, they're hosting webinars and panels, getting state governments to officially declareOctober is ADHD Awareness Month, sharing resources at libraries, schools, and workplaces,

(02:47):
and submitting personal ADHD stories, art, or videos to the coalition site.
Even the CDC joins in with their ADHD across the lifetime toolkit.
as of this recording, the CDC provides this toolkit, though that can change with policyshifts.
The toolkit
is really more for parents with children diagnosed with ADHD, but there's also some goodresources for adults with ADHD on the website.

(03:14):
we're not saying that we back or agree with everything on this site, but that it is anavailable resource.
And organizations like Chad and ADDA are running webinars, social campaigns, andmyth-busting content all month long.
You can catch Chad's webinars on their events calendar
Awareness especially for women.

(03:36):
Awareness Month matters even more for women.
We are the ones often missed, mislabeled, or dismissed.
We are the ones told we are too sensitive, emotional, or even too hysterical.
Research shows girls are diagnosed
far less often in childhood, sometimes at a ratio of two to three boys for every one girlin community samples, and there are much larger gaps in clinical referrals.

(03:59):
That means many women never get flagged early.
While data shows fewer women with ADHD, we know the numbers are skewed.
It's quite possible that the true number of women with ADHD is much higher than reportedbecause it's hidden behind those biases and missed referrals.
Awareness helps surface those hidden stories.
The more we talk, the less invisible women with ADHD will be.

(04:21):
community and support.
If visibility feels scary, that's okay.
Awareness Month doesn't demand that everyone outs themselves, but it does give youresources to quietly pass along to an online community.
Your doctors or a friend who is open to learning more.
And if you're feeling bold, lean into visibility, share your story, design a graphic,speak to your church or local group, or sit in on a webinar and ask questions.

(04:48):
Tell us how you are choosing to participate in ADHD Awareness Month, whether it's liking apost on Instagram or TikTok, reposting them to build momentum, checking out
ADHDAwarenessMonth.org.
There are so many options and it takes very little to participate.
And let's remember to be respectful of how others choose to participate.
This isn't about who's the loudest or most visible.

(05:11):
Is there one thing you can do to join in?
Even a small act can ripple.
Whether you choose to whisper or shout, you can make an impact.
awareness is power.
It's the first step towards understanding, accommodation, and compassion.
every story, every post, every conversation chips away at the stigma of ADHD.

(05:42):
ADHD include
we'd love to hear from you.
How are you participating in ADHD Awareness Month?
Whether it's liking a post, sharing your resource, or telling your story, let us know.
We don't have the perfect outro yet, but awareness doesn't need to be perfect.
It needs presence.
Awareness isn't fluff, it's survival.
Because the many faces of ADHD include yours.