Jul 6
I always say our best purposes give meaning to our past, and my guest this episode, Dr. Abbey Weinstein, proves just how true this is. Abbey struggled with school for most of her life, so she surprised even herself when she not only turned it around and started getting straight A’s in college, but went on to get her Master’s degree and P.h.D. in Special Education. Now an Educational Diagnostician, Abbey has found her purpose in making learning more accessible for others and getting students the supports they need to be successful in school.
Join our conversation to hear the inspiring Dr. Abbey Weinstein share how she was able to go from academic probation to completing her doctorate, some of the ADHD strategies she used to get herself through her dissertation (truly a feat of strength!), her tips on feeling good about yourself every day, and so much more.
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"I learned really quickly that whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, there are special learners in every classroom, and there are kids that learn differently and they need differentiation and they need to be taught in many different ways. And it sparked this desire in me to try to figure out more about the brain and the learning processes."
- Dr. Abbey Weinstein
"Once I got halfway through my Ph.D.–blood, sweat, and literal tears–I was determined to finish, and that determination was the drive I needed. I was determined, once I saw that I was capable of doing the work and getting through it, I wasn’t turning back."
- Dr. Abbey Weinstein
"Every about three or four years I change schools, change jobs, which I realize now is part of my ADHD brain, that I get bored and I want to change and I want some diversity and I don’t want the status quo."
- Dr. Abbey Weinstein
- Dr. Abbey shares her experience with ADHD and its impact on her education and career.
- Dr. Abbey reflects on her high school experience, feeling like a "problem kid" and struggling with negative self-talk, but eventually finding her passion for education and earning a Ph.D.
- Dr. Abbey struggled with anxiety and depression in her teenage years, which led to her parents sending her to therapists.
[27:28 - 38:47] Managing ADHD and Completing a PhD Program
- Dr. Abbey uses technology, such as reminders and to-do lists on her phone, to help manage her ADHD symptoms and stay organized.
- Dr. Abbey prioritizes her to-do lists by marking items as A (must-do today), B (nice to do today), and C (want to do in the near future), and uses sticky notes and other organizational tools to keep track of tasks and deadlines.
- Dr. Abbey shares her experience balancing work, school, and ADHD symptoms, and how she managed to complete her PhD despite the challenges.
- Dr. Abbey used a reward system and visual reminders to stay motivated and complete her tasks.
- Dr. Abbey found that setting short-term benchmarks and taking breaks helped her manage her ADHD symptoms and complete her dissertation.
- Dr. Abbey emphasizes the importance of finding strategies that work for individuals with ADHD, through trial and error and modifying their environment.
Podcast: Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities
Instagram: @weinsteinabbey
Website: Dr. Abbey Weinstein - EDiagnostic Learning
