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We don’t outgrow ADHD, we simply change with it. Join hosts Jami and Justin as we explore the intersection of ADHD and seniors.

Episode 100 – Unwrapping the Gifts of ADHD with Dr. Ned Hallowell

For the 100th episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami Shapiro welcomes one of the most influential voices in the ADHD world: Dr. Edward “Ned” Hallowell. Psychiatrist, bestselling author of Driven to Distraction and ADHD 2.0, and someone who has spent more than four decades helping people understand that ADHD is far more than a disorder—it’s a different way of experiencing the world.

Together, Jami and Dr. Hallowell explore his remarkable personal story, from a chaotic childhood to becoming one of the world’s leading ADHD experts. They discuss why so many people with ADHD grow up believing they’re “not enough,” how discovering your strengths can transform your life at any age, and why connection, not perfection, is one of the most powerful tools for thriving.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hallowell challenges the traditional deficit-based view of ADHD, encouraging listeners to see it as a collection of gifts that, when understood and supported, can become extraordinary strengths.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why Dr. Hallowell believes ADHD is a trait—not simply a disorder
  • The hidden strengths behind distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity
  • How curiosity, creativity, and imagination become ADHD superpowers
  • Why self-esteem is one of the biggest challenges for people with ADHD
  • The importance of finding mentors who recognize your gifts
  • Why it’s never too late to discover your purpose
  • Dr. Hallowell’s concept of “Vitamin C”—the healing power of connection
  • Why “Never worry alone” may be one of the best pieces of ADHD advice you’ll ever hear

Why This Matters

For many adults diagnosed later in life, ADHD has long been associated with shame, frustration, and feeling like they never measured up.

Dr. Hallowell offers a different perspective. Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with me?” he encourages us to ask, “What am I uniquely wired to contribute?” When we stop trying to become someone else and begin embracing our own strengths, ADHD becomes something to understand—not something to fear.

The ADHD Button Question

Jami asks every guest the same question:

If there were a button that could remove your ADHD forever, would you press it?

Dr. Hallowell’s answer is an immediate no.

He believes ADHD is inseparable from his creativity, imagination, energy, and ability to contribute to the world. While it has brought challenges, it’s also shaped the life and career he wouldn’t trade for anything.

About the Guest

Dr. Edward “Ned” Hallowell is a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, ADHD specialist, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. He is the co-author of Driven to Distraction and the author of more than 20 books, including ADHD 2.0. Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia himself, Dr. Hallowell has dedicated his career to helping children and adults discover the strengths that often accompany neurodivergence. He is the founder of the Hallowell ADHD Centers and continues to advocate for a strength-based approach to ADHD.

About the Host

Jami Shapiro is an ADHD coach, speaker, author, and founder of Silver Linings Transitions. Through Grandma Has ADHD, she helps adults, especially women diagnosed later in life, understand their ADHD, reduce shame, and discover the gifts hidden beneath years of misunderstanding.

Resources

  • Driven to Distraction by Dr. Edward Hallowell and Dr. John Ratey
  • ADHD 2.0 by Dr. Edward Hallowell and Dr. John Ratey
  • Hallowell ADHD Centers
  • Hallowell Hub
  • This Explains So Much by Jami Shapiro

Links & Support

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