ADHD in Women and Girls
Martha Barnard Rae
Martha Barnard-Rae is a copywriter, TEDx and keynote speaker, and neurodivergent business owner. She is the founder of Word Candy and a sore loser of board games. Martha moonlights as a feminist scholar and co-host of The One That Works For You podcast. Martha is a sought-after presenter on topics like values-based business ownership, neurodiversity, branding and clear communication, bias in the workplace, and growing thought leadership across industries. Audiences love her fun, thoughtful delivery and interactive style. A former English teacher, Martha is adept at distilling complicated ideas in a clear, concise way. Setting boundaries is her superpower. Her love language is on-the-nose TikToks.
- Recording: Yes
- Language: English
- Duration: 45 min / 15 min
Session Summary
In this session, Martha who has both ADHD and autism, shares her personal experiences and highlights the challenges neurodivergent individuals face, especially women, who are often underdiagnosed and overlooked. She emphasizes the importance of awareness, self-compassion, and acceptance. Traits like impulsivity or strong will can impact work both positively and negatively, depending on the context. Martha advocates for workplace accommodations such as quiet spaces, flexible schedules, and clear communication. Her insights underline the value neurodivergent individuals bring through their unique perspectives and creativity, and the need for more inclusive, supportive work environments.
Interaction
During the expert session, Martha engages the audience through a personal storytelling approach, using relatable experiences to highlight the challenges of having ADHD and being a woman. She incorporates interactive exercises with the Mentimeter app to gather ideas on creating inclusive workplaces for neurodivergent individuals.
Key Learnings
- Recognizing Neurodivergent Challenges: Understanding the potential impact of traits associated with ADHD on performance in the workplace is essential for creating accommodating environments. Traits like impulsivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty focusing can hinder productivity, but also bring unique strengths such as creativity and brainstorming.
- Creating Inclusive Workplaces: Implementing accommodations such as quieter office spaces, flexible schedules, and clear communication styles, and validating neurodivergent experiences through professional diagnoses are key steps towards creating more productive and inclusive workplaces.
- Breaking Down Barriers: Acknowledging the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent women in obtaining diagnoses and receiving proper treatment, as well as addressing systemic inequalities, sociocultural norms, and rising violence against women are crucial steps towards achieving gender equality for all neurodivergent individuals.
Detailed session description
In this expert session, Martha, a distinguished speaker with both ADHD and autism, shares her personal experiences and insights into the challenges of living with neurodivergent conditions, specifically focusing on ADHD as an example. She highlights the disparities women face in getting diagnosed and receiving proper treatment for these conditions compared to men.
During the session, Martha speaks about the significance of raising awareness for neurodivergence and understanding its implications for individuals in the workplace. She believes that most of the traits associated with ADHD could potentially impact someone's performance in a professional setting, both positively and negatively. For instance, strong will and stubbornness could lead to inflexibility and resistance to change, while impulsivity could result in mistakes or misunderstandings.
Martha also addressed the importance of acceptance and self-compassion for neurodivergent individuals. She emphasized the benefits that neurodivergent people bring to organizations through their unique perspectives and innovative ideas. Her story highlights the challenges faced by women with neurodivergent conditions and emphasizes the need to create more inclusive workplaces that acknowledge and value the unique abilities of individuals.
By sharing her personal insights and experiences, Martha provided a valuable resource for anyone seeking to make a difference in their communities and workplaces.
Other Sessions by this Speaker
Neurodivergence in the Workplace
In this session, Martha Neurodiversity highlights the value of recognizing and supporting neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. She explains that signs like trouble with focus, organization, or social cues may suggest neurodivergence—but they don’t define a person’s ability or worth. Martha emphasizes that neurodivergent people, who make up around 15% of the population, bring unique strengths and perspectives. She urges employers to challenge biases, avoid stereotypes, and promote inclusion through understanding and open communication. Creating a more inclusive workplace not only supports neurodivergent employees but also drives innovation, productivity, and overall success.
Thriving as a Neurodivergent Employee
In this session, Martha shares practical advice for neurodivergent employees, especially those with ADHD. She stresses the value of self-awareness—understanding how your brain works and identifying your strengths and needs. This helps with advocating for yourself and focusing on tasks that bring enjoyment or flow. Martha explains masking—hiding neurodivergent traits to fit in—and how it can lead to burnout. She shares her own experience and highlights the importance of being honest about your struggles. To work more effectively, Martha suggests using task systems, asking for help, taking breaks, and designing your day around interests instead of willpower. She encourages experimentation, clear communication, and setting boundaries. Finally, she reminds us that burnout is real, and sometimes planning a job change is necessary. Stay flexible, as your needs may shift over time.
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