Noticing how ADHD can shape attention, interests, and the way a person moves through different areas of life.
Exploring how messages received from others over time can affect the way a person sees themselves.
Thinking about how creative tools like film or storytelling can help someone share experiences that are hard to put into words.
Considering what it feels like to be truly heard after carrying something privately for a long time.
Reflecting on how the people around us respond can change how we feel about ourselves.
Exploring what it means to understand someone's experience rather than trying to change or fix it.
Jo shares her experience of growing up and moving through adulthood without knowing she had ADHD. She describes trying different career paths but losing interest quickly, and reflects on the self-criticism that came with that pattern. She makes a short film about her lived experience and shares it with her family and close friends. They respond with understanding and warmth. The video ends with Jo reflecting on the relief that came from expressing her experience and feeling heard by the people close to her.
• What did you notice about the way Jo described her experience of ADHD?
• How did the messages Jo received growing up seem to affect the way she felt about herself?
• Have you ever found a way to share something about yourself that was hard to explain directly?
• Is there something about the way you think or communicate that you would want others to understand better?
• What helps you feel heard when you are trying to share something personal?
• What does it feel like when someone responds with patience rather than advice?
• How could you let someone know you want to understand their experience rather than change it?
The questions within this guide are designed to open dialogue and facilitate discussion around the relevant topics. It is up to the user to adapt as needed to best suit the person they are supporting. A neuroaffirming approach was central to the design of these resources and remains essential to their application. This means recognising and respecting the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world, ensuring all conversations are led with curiosity, respect, and without judgement. These resources are a starting point. Trust your knowledge of the person you are supporting to shape the conversation from there.
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