😐 I’d never have guessed!
😦 Well, that explains things…
😳 Why did you leave it so late to get diagnosed?
🙄 Oh are you? My partner/sister/bestie thinks they are too, it seems like everyone has ADHD these days.
😶 Aren’t you worried that they’ll treat you differently at work now?
For context, I have ADHD. I received my diagnosis last year, well into my 40s. I haven’t discussed it much in the professional domain, partly to steer clear of the bias and misconceptions that are often ingrained in the responses above.
I know I’m not the only one feeling apprehensive about speaking up. But if we don’t dare talk about it, we miss an opportunity to educate others, so they will know how to respond more supportively.
So, what can you say instead? Well, it would be great if you start with…
🤩 Thanks for telling me…
And then say any (or a few) of the following:
🤓 I’m curious, what’s the biggest impact ADHD has on you personally?
😌 I have been / plan to go on a Neurodiversity awareness course but I know everyone is different. Is there anything specific I can do to support you better?
😎 What prompted you to seek a diagnosis now?
🤗 You’re not alone in this. Some of my friends and family are discovering they’re neurodivergent too, and I’m trying to educate myself about it so I can help.
🙌 I have ADHD as well! I’ve been nervous about opening up about my own neurodivergence – worrying about discrimination. But seeing you sharing this gives me hope that maybe I can share my neurotype without negative repercussions.
I hope these help. No shame if you’ve said it the ‘wrong’ way – we’re all learning as we go along.
——–
This blogpost was first published on my LinkedIn profile during Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024. If you’d like to read the contributions others made in the comments (or add your own) you can do so over there.
What NOT to say to someone disclosing their ADHD diagnosis