Dr. Gilly Kahn is a psychologist, mom, writer—and a committed partner of FINDtheADHDgirls. She also contributed a powerful, detail-packed letter to our book, Letters to Our Younger Self.

In this episode, Dr. Kahn shares what it was like to grow up with undiagnosed ADHD and how writing her letter brought old memories into sharper focus. We talk about the “true ADHD fashion” of putting things off, why body doubling can be the difference between stuck and started, and how inspiration can strike at the most random times—sometimes late at night when you least expect it.

Dr. Kahn also opens up about living with big emotions, the shame that can form when you’re misunderstood, and the lasting impact of being called “stupid” or “an idiot.” She describes why journaling became a lifeline—helping her untangle the mental clutter, make sense of what she was feeling, and hold onto memories that otherwise slipped away. We also touch on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the idea of learning to live with painful emotions without letting them define you.

This conversation is part of our Letters to Our Younger Self author series—created to help women feel seen, to name what so many of us lived through, and to inspire others to reflect on their own story with more compassion.

Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/DSKkNXyr7OM

Learn more about FINDtheADHDgirls: https://findtheadhdgirls.org

#FINDtheADHDgirls #ftag #ADHDgirls #ADHDLife #ADHDPower #NeurodivergentStrength #KeepMovingForward #CelebrateYourWins #ADHDAwareness

Find The ADHD Girls is a project of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org)

The mission of this project is to give all girls who have ADHD
a fair start in life by getting them diagnosed by age 8.

COULD YOUR DAUGHTER HAVE ADHD?

ADHD can look different in girls - meaning that often, they are missed for ADHD diagnosis.

Find out if your daughter has ADHD at findtheadhdgirls.org

Learn about inattentive ADHD at www.iadhd.org, the only website solely about inattentive ADHD

In this episode of FINDtheADHDgirls, Cynthia Hammer talks with Lindsey—an ADHD advocate and school teacher—and her 12-year-old daughter, Arianna, about what early ADHD diagnosis can look like when it’s handled with support instead of shame.

They discuss twice-exceptional (2e) kids who are both gifted and have ADHD, the stigma schools still attach to 504 plans, and the accommodations that actually help—like quiet testing, extra time, seating supports, and body doubling. Lindsey also breaks down rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), dopamine “crashes” after exciting events, and why transitions can be so hard for ADHD kids. Arianna shares what it feels like to grow up understanding her brain, advocating for what she needs, and staying true to herself.

Learn more and get resources at www.FINDtheADHDgirls.org

Find The ADHD Girls is a project of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org)

The mission of this project is to give all girls who have ADHD
a fair start in life by getting them diagnosed by age 8.

COULD YOUR DAUGHTER HAVE ADHD?

ADHD can look different in girls - meaning that often, they are missed for ADHD diagnosis.

Find out if your daughter has ADHD at findtheadhdgirls.org

Learn about inattentive ADHD at www.iadhd.org, the only website solely about inattentive ADHD

In this episode of the FINDtheADHDgirls podcast, Cynthia Hammer speaks with Pippa Simou, a UK-based chartered coaching psychologist and contributor to the book Letters to My Young Self.

Pippa shares why she chose to write a letter to her younger self and what it was like growing up feeling “different” without understanding why. She reflects on masking, emotional sensitivity, over-efforting, and the long-term cost of trying to fit in before knowing she had ADHD and dyslexia.

The conversation also explores the power of supportive relationships, why early identification matters so deeply for girls, and how learning about her neurodivergent brain later in life allowed Pippa to finally flourish—academically, professionally, and emotionally.

This episode will resonate with parents, educators, clinicians, and adults who grew up undiagnosed and hard on themselves.

Find The ADHD Girls is a project of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org)

The mission of this project is to give all girls who have ADHD
a fair start in life by getting them diagnosed by age 8.

COULD YOUR DAUGHTER HAVE ADHD?

ADHD can look different in girls - meaning that often, they are missed for ADHD diagnosis.

Find out if your daughter has ADHD at findtheadhdgirls.org

Learn about inattentive ADHD at www.iadhd.org, the only website solely about inattentive ADHD