Navigating life as a Black, neurodivergent woman is complicated. Growing up, these parts of my identity presented a trifecta of unique challenges, some of which follow me to this day.
Others, I’ve been able to overcome in my journey toward understanding and accepting my neurodiversity — and helping others accept theirs.I was luckier than most, blessed with an early diagnosis of inattentive ADHD in the First Grade after my parents and teachers voiced major concerns about my distractibility and impulsivity.
My diagnosis was an important starting point, but it was no silver bullet. If anything, it felt like my “problematic” behaviors were simply assigned a different name.Even with a diagnosis, I never felt like teachers, coaches, and other adults in my life fully understood me. (Except for my supportive parents — something so many go without.) Many of my teachers made no attempts to hide their biases, and often saw me as an impulsive, misbehaving student rather than one struggling with symptoms of a condition.Day in and day out, I wasn’t given the space to fully explore my identity and understand myself, ADHD and all.
Instead, society dished out shame, accused me of being lazy, and provided no support for a neurodivergent mind like mine.This is, unfortunately, an all-too-common reality for young Black girls with ADHD in this country – especially those who go undiagnosed.[Read: Why ADHD Is Different for People of Color]ADHD doesn’t discriminate by gender or race.