
How a late ADHD diagnosis changed the way she works and heals
From The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller by Reid
June 3, 2026 · 58 min · Season 19 · Episode 12
About this episode
Dr. Jennifer Dahl discusses her late ADHD diagnosis and its impact on her work and healing process.
Late ADHD Diagnosis, Grief, and Rebuilding Life in Small Steps What happens when the person helping others finally realizes the story is also their own? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Dahl to talk about late ADHD diagnosis, masking, grief, trauma, and what it means to rebuild a life when your brain needs a different kind of support. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply human. We talk about the shock and relief that can come with finally having a name for what you've lived with for years. Then we get into something many people don't say out loud: what it feels like when ADHD overlaps with loss, exhaustion, and major life changes. Dr. Jennifer shares why “trying harder” often misses the point, and why small shifts can make a real difference when big systems fall apart. If you've ever wondered why some advice works for other people but not for you, or how to move forward without pretending you have it all together, this episode will give you a lot to think about. About the Guest Dr. Jennifer Dahl has spent more than 25 years supporting students and adults with ADHD. After her own diagnosis, along with experiences of grief, trauma, and brain injury, her…
People in this episode
Host: Reid
Guest: Dr. Jennifer Dahl
Topics covered
- ADHD diagnosis
- grief
- trauma
- life rebuilding
- mental health
- support systems
Keywords
- ADHD
- diagnosis
- grief
- trauma
- support
- mental health
- life changes
- rebuilding
More episodes of The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller
- What We Miss When Autism Is Seen Through Only One Lens · June 12, 2026 · 27 min
- How One Autism Diagnosis Helped a Mom Find Her Voice · June 10, 2026 · 50 min
- The Curious Storyteller: Stuck in Autopilot Here’s Where Real Change Begins · June 8, 2026 · 59 min
- From helping ADHD students to finally seeing herself · June 5, 2026 · 58 min
- The Curious Storyteller: When Your Life Looks Fine but Feels Empty Here’s Where to Start · June 1, 2026 · 59 min
- When Everything Changed After We Finally Had Words for Our Family Story · May 29, 2026 · 1h 14m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Neurodivergent Connection / The Curious Storyteller podcast page.