At 14, Zoe Plotnick told her mom, “My brain’s broken.” Zoe wanted an ADHD evaluation, but her mom discouraged it, pointing to Zoe’s good grades. Zoe was eventually diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. She also learned that her mom was hiding her own ADHD all along. Now Zoe, who’s a teacher, is unpacking the ADHD stigma that her family has carried for generations. And she’s advocating for her daughter who, in a twist of fate, was diagnosed with ADHD at age 14 — the same age Zoe was when she tried to get evaluated the first time. Related resources Is ADHD hereditary? Masking my ADHD at work was exhausting, so I stopped How do I emotionally prepare for ADHD diagnosis? Timestamps ((01:10) Zoe’s pandemic “aha” moment (03:23) Pushing for an ADHD diagnosis as an adult (05:22) Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD (09:17) Asking for help when Zoe was 14 (12:32) Generational ADHD shame and masking For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood.org Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at
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