Ep 97: Don't Apologize For Having ADHD

Send us a text

In this powerful episode, I share the personal story that sparked an important conversation about ADHD stigma and responsibility—revealing why "classic ADHD move" thinking is harmful and how to take empowered ownership of your growth without apologizing for who you are.

📌 Key Topics:

• Why linking every mistake to ADHD perpetuates harmful stigma
• The crucial difference between fault vs. responsibility with ADHD
• How to respond confidently when others treat you differently after diagnosis
• Why successful people often don't think they "could possibly have ADHD"
• Breaking free from the "cookie cutter world" that doesn't fit your brain
• Building skills that support your unique wiring without making excuses
• The truth about medication: "pills don't teach skills"

🗣️ Featured Quote: "ADHD is not your fault, but it's your responsibility."

💡 Strategy Breakdown:

• Understand the 9 core executive function skills that need strengthening
• Practice emotional regulation when facing ADHD stigma or misunderstandings
• Build scaffolding systems for time management, organization, and planning
• Develop metacognition to notice patterns without self-judgment
• Create accountability systems that help you do what you say you'll do
• Use your diagnosis as empowerment, not an excuse
• Focus on building skills that work WITH your brain, not against it

🎯 Nine Executive Function Skills to Master:

1. Time Awareness & Management: Tracking time and realistic planning
2. Organization: Creating systems that support, not overwhelm you
3. Planning & Prioritizing: Figuring out what to do first with clear action steps
4. Task Initiation: Getting started even when things feel boring or unclear
5. Working Memory: Supporting your brain's ability to hold and use information
6. Goal Follow-Through: Sustaining momentum on longer-term projects
7. Emotional Regulation: Pausing before reacting and recovering from overwhelm
8. Impulse Control: Thinking before acting or speaking
9. Metacognition: Building self-awareness and adjusting without spiraling

🔑 Key Takeaway: You are not less than or wrong because of your ADHD. Your mistakes aren't always "ADHD moves"—sometimes they're just human mistakes. Everyone has challenges; yours happen to be more noticeable in our cookie-cutter world. The goal isn't to fit into a box that doesn't serve you—it's to build skills that help you thrive as your authentic self while taking responsibility for your growth.

Connect with Mande:
Free Executive Function Self-Check: http://www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/skills Learn more about private coaching with Mande: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/
Free Resources: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/freeresources/
Website: https://www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learntothrivewithadhd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learntothrivewithadhd/

#adhdstigma #adhdresponsibility #executivefunction #adhdempowerment #adhd #adhdskills #ad

CLICK HERE for more resources. We're on this journey together!