Episode 70 | If We Listened - ADHD Through My Eyes 

If We Listened gives young people the microphone - because sometimes the people we spend so much time teaching have something to teach us too. They have opinions, experiences, questions and wisdom worth hearing.

In this conversation, we meet Ruby, a teenager living with ADHD. We're talking about what it's like to experience the world through her eyes, what she wishes adults understood, and the things people sometimes get wrong about ADHD.

This isn't about defining Ruby by a diagnosis or assuming her experience is the same as everyone else's. It's about giving her the space to share her own perspective - the challenges, the misunderstandings, the things that help, and what she wants other people to know.

Because ADHD might help explain some things about how a person thinks, feels or experiences the world. But it doesn't tell us everything about who they are.

So we're giving Ruby the microphone.

And we're going to listen.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person’s brain manages attention, activity levels and impulses. It can influence things like concentration, organisation, emotional regulation and everyday tasks, although everyone experiences ADHD differently.

ADHD isn't simply about being distracted or having lots of energy. It can also come with strengths, including creativity, curiosity, enthusiasm and the ability to think outside the box. While some people with ADHD face challenges at school, work or in their relationships, the right understanding, strategies and support can make a real difference.

Most importantly, ADHD is just one part of a person. Understanding it helps us move beyond assumptions, recognise individual strengths and give people the support they need to thrive.