5: Boredom, ADHD as an Asset, a Paradigm Shift

This time, we chat with Dr. Caitlin O’Brien, a graduate who recently completed her doctoral degree in Structural Engineering at the University of Connecticut and is now working in the engineering industry.

Caitlin shares pivotal moments in her life, including her diagnosis with ADHD as a senior in high school, challenges and moments of success in her academics, and lessons that contributed to her personal growth. Insightful and self-aware, Caitlin explains how she uses cognitive behavioral strategies to reframe intense emotions and challenge negative internal narratives. Reflections on her educational experiences contrast moments of intense frustration and boredom with moments of creative engagement that led to a strong interest in engineering research. At times, the conversation suggests flaws in an education system that often fails to recognize and cultivate the divergent thinking abilities of students with ADHD.

Square Pegs is a series of intimate conversations about navigating life and learning within the neurodiverse community, hosted by Dr. Arash Zaghi, Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Engineering. In each episode, we talk to neurodiverse students and experts in the field of neurodiversity.

Send feedback about Square Pegs to [e-mail] or find us at squarepegspodcast.com.

01:03 Guest intro: Dr. Caitlin O’Brien, recent graduate of the University of Connecticut, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

04:58 Redefining ADHD as an asset and deploying creativity in early education

07:23 Middle school: more rigidity and having to find your own creative outlines in STEM classes

08:25 Disconnecting from learning history as a series of facts rather than the story of a people

18:35 High school: getting “out of control” and starting to come to terms with ADHD

24:17 Finding engineering in early undergrad, and learning to balance coursework demands

30:26 Implementing a paradigm shift in understanding neurodiversity to leveraging peoples’ individual strengths rather than demanding we be Jacks-of-all-trades

41:52 Overcoming difficulties with focusing

53:57 Settling into graduate school and its immense creative freedom

58:55 Advice on the advisor/advisee relationship

1:01:20 Caitlin’s writing process and manufacturing the conditions to produce quality work quickly

1:07:35 Gaining the confidence to seek help when you don’t know what to do

1:17:34 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and managing the day-to-day

1:23:26 Final thoughts and advice to past Caitlin