ADHD and feeling “dumb” (Henry’s story)

Growing up, Henry Lang kept hearing that he was too disorganized
and “not smart enough.” Then in high school, he was diagnosed
with ADHD and started getting support through a 504 plan.  


Now, Henry is a teacher in Vermont dedicating his career to — and
even writing his thesis on — teaching kids with ADHD. He has
trouble giving himself the same empathy he shows his students,
though. Henry, like many of us with ADHD, often calls the
mistakes he makes because of his ADHD “dumb.” Henry and host
Laura Key unpack what he really means when he says “dumb” — and
how other ADHD-ers might internalize and misuse that word, too.


To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit
the episode page at Understood. We love hearing from our
listeners. Email us at ADHDAha@understood.org.  
Related resources

Check out some of Henry’s Understood content: How to
declutter your CPU desktop screen

Another ADHD Aha! episode: Not “dumb” or a “hot mess”
… it’s ADHD (Jenny’s story)

Classroom accommodations for ADHD



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empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like
ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work,
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