On a quest to figure out why I felt different, I did a series of tests when I was in college, but all came back negative. My doctor determined that my inability to stay alert and focused in class was likely due to EDS (Excessive Daytime Sleepiness)- a common wakefulness disorder. As a solution, I was given an off-label prescription for medication commonly given to people with ADHD. This was life-changing and noticeable for all those around me. It’s like a light turned on, and all the things that were unreasonably hard were now manageable.
After school, I went off medication and lived my life without it for the past 13 years. After the birth of my second child, I got curious again and wanted to do more investigation. After talking to a few specialists and taking a Quantified Behavioral Test (QbTest) and receiving very humbling results, I realized that I didn’t have a sleep disorder- I had what’s called inattentive presenting ADHD. This was the biggest ah-ha moment of my life. For the past year and a half I have been researching thoroughly, listening to podcasts, reading any book, (let’s be honest, listening to any audiobook) I can find on the topic. It was fascinating to me to look back on my life with this new perspective and understanding of who I am.
As luck would have it, coming back from maternity leave, I was placed under a curious, inclusive, and supportive manager. This allowed me to feel comfortable sharing my diagnosis and how it impacted me personally and professionally. It felt good to kind of just say it – since it’s out there, I can now be open about how it impacts my life. Together we can focus on utilizing all the strengths that come with my experience of ADHD – hyper-focus, creativity, problem-solving, enthusiasm, etc. and we can strategize to move past the imposter syndrome and find ways to maneuver around the executive dysfunctions. This is definitely a new journey for me, I almost feel funny even writing about my experience with ADHD because I feel like I still have so much to learn about myself, but I know the importance of getting our stories out there.
Speaking of sharing our stories, this year I joined the Neurodiversity ERG here at Arm and it’s been an incredibly eye-opening experience. I had this overwhelmingly inspired feeling of looking at all these brilliant people who have similar world views, stories, and experiences. I have learned so much from this group and am motivated to find ways to encourage Arm to celebrate our strengths and differences. I feel lucky to work for an organization that puts DEI, mental health, and support at the forefront. I think there is so much to build from with the Neuroscience of Inclusion video we all watched last year, and believe there is a real opportunity for us to advocate for ourselves at Arm. Perhaps I will pass on some of my long lists and sticky notes of research so that we can communicate our needs and inspire Arm to form neuro-inclusive workspaces, events, and meetings. I am finding with some accommodations, a little bit of awareness, and management support, many of us can thrive and focus on “being our brilliant selves”.
If you’d like to find out more about diversity, equity, and inclusion at arm please follow this link:
https://careers.arm.com/Arm-DEI