Jan 21
In this episode Tracy gives you her list of favorite strength-focused ADHD resources/books. If you listened to her first podcast recorded back in October you‘ll notice that her understanding and opinions around ADHD have changed a lot. She is now solidly grounded in a more strength-focused view of ADHD and sees it as a brain difference rather than a brain disorder.
Tracy goes through the books she wishes she knew about when her son was first diagnosed five years ago. If you want to reframe your own ADHD, if you currently see it as a disorder and want to view it as a strength, this is exactly where you need to start. Tracy wouldn’t give up her own ADHD for anything. She believes that her ADHD traits are responsible for every success she’s ever had. She just had to learn how to manage it. These resources have really helped in that regard.
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"I believe that ADHD should be viewed as a difference or strength rather than a disorder. I feel that my ADHD is responsible for my successes once I learned to manage it."
- Tracy Otsuka
"We need words to describe what is right. We call Edison trait children inattentive. Are they inattentive? Or are they attentive to what is important to them, and not us?"
- Tracy Otsuka
"If you are always focusing on the weaknesses, and not also focusing on the strengths, you are just not going to move forward with these ADHD Edison kids at all."
- Tracy Otsuka
- Tracy shares her personal journey with understanding and accepting her son's ADHD diagnosis, highlighting the importance of recognizing the signs of ADHD and reframing the disorder as a difference rather than a deficit.
- Tracy discusses Tom Hartman's book "ADHD in the Edison Gene" and its insights on the Edison trait, creativity, and entrepreneurialism.
- Tracy shares her personal struggles with ADHD medication and how she developed non-medication options for coping with her symptoms.
[17:07 - 31:47] ADHD, Intuition, and Self-Understanding
- Tracy shares her experience with ADHD and how she connected with expert Lera Harness Webb, who helped her understand the gift of interpersonal intuition associated with ADHD.
- Tracy explains how ADHD manifests differently in girls than in boys, with teachers often overlooking symptoms in girls.
- Tracy discusses her book on ADHD in girls, highlighting the importance of self-reporting scales for internalized symptoms.
[31:47 - 43:29] ADHD and Its Impact on Children's Learning
- Tracy discusses the concept of "Edison trait" children, who possess ADHD and have neurology wired for brilliant successes, but often struggle with inconsistent performance in school due to nonlinear thinking and lack of self-control.
- Tracy discusses ADHD and the importance of focusing on strengths, not just weaknesses, for Edison trait children.
- Tracy discusses her interview with a woman who has schizophrenia and is happily married, highlighting the importance of sharing diverse stories and recognizing the unique strengths and gifts of individuals with ADHD.
Facebook Group: ADHD for Smart Ass Women
Instagram: @tracyotsuka
Website: adhdforsmartwomen.com
