All Aboard ADHD

What is the hidden cost for girls and women of masking their ADHD and appearing to be “fine”?
In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Ana-Maria Butura, a research associate at King’s College London who has led the most comprehensive qualitative study on ADHD masking to date.
For many girls and women, an ADHD diagnosis doesn't come until adulthood, not because the traits didn't exist, but because they were hidden behind a carefully constructed "mask." 
Together, Claire and Ana-Maria pull back the curtain on what’s really going on for women and girls who appear to be "coping" while struggling deeply beneath the surface.
They discuss:
⚡ What masking is and why we mask. Masking is not just something we do consciously, but can also develop as a complex survival strategy where we learn to suppress, or compensate for ADHD traits, to meet social expectations.
🧠 Why girls can often present as calm, organised, or high-achieving on the outside, while experiencing a chaotic "volcano" of thoughts and sensory overload on the inside.
🎭 The difference between masking in ADHD vs autism. Where autistic masking is driven more by camouflaging and trying to "blend in" socially, whilst ADHD masking is driven more by feeling the need to hide executive functioning gaps and hyperactivity.
💥Why what we see as parents can differ from what teachers see at school, with girls learning to ‘perform’ carefully at school to avoid punishment, which can lead to emotional explosions at home.
📉 How the ability to mask often leads to girls being overlooked by teachers and doctors, or being misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression because the "typical" ADHD hyperactivity traits aren’t as visible.
🥀 The devastating cost of long-term masking, including chronic exhaustion, burnout, loss of identity, and the feeling that "if people liked the mask, they wouldn't like the real me."
🗣️The action we can take to better support our ADHD girls, including listening to their self-reports, continuing to advocate for their needs in school, plus how to provide as many outlets as possible for their pent-up energy.
🤝 How we can move towards authenticity creating "neuro-inclusive" safe spaces where women and girls feel safe to drop the mask, plus why communication and openness are the only ways to build a supportive "village".
Whether you are a woman who has recently discovered your own ADHD, or a parent wondering why your daughter seems "fine" at school but collapses at home, this episode offers a profound and validating look at the hidden struggle of the female ADHD experience.
Further resources and links:
Follow Ana on Instagram: @unmaskingADHD

ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com

Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

How can understanding how our brain works help us break free of the cycles of the past and finally allow us to live life on our own terms?
In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by the legendary DJ Fat Tony, recovery advocate, and author of two books: 'I Don't Take Requests' and his upcoming ‘Recover Me’. 
Tony shares a raw and deeply insightful look at his journey through addiction, the clarity that came with understanding his ADHD, and how he has designed a life that respects his needs rather than fighting against them.
Tony reflects on the "learned behaviors" we pick up in childhood and how, without self-awareness, we can carry these unhelpful coping mechanisms into adulthood. 
From navigating the high-intensity world of international DJing to the vital importance of learning to "switch off," this conversation is packed with radical honesty and self-acceptance.
Claire and Tony discuss:
Why recovery is about more than just overcoming an addiction, it’s about recovering your true self after years of trauma and learned self-serving behaviors.

Working differently with an ADHD Brain, how Tony managed to record his audiobook by working in 20-minute bursts and being transparent with others about his "switch-off points."

Sensory overstimulation and why a safe, quiet home environment is non-negotiable for Tony, even as someone whose career is built on loud music and crowded rooms.

Why "finding your people" and realising you aren't the only one who behaves a certain way can be a game-changer for your mental health.

Learning how you work best so that you can understand and let go of the urge to people-please and overcompensate

The creative "superpower" often seen in children with ADHD, and how recognising where they excel can help them channel their natural ability and energy into what they do best

Seeing your child for who they are, nurturing their strengths and the magic that happens when they feel understood and supported.

Whether you are navigating your own path of recovery, supporting a neurodivergent child through their own struggles, or simply looking for the permission to be exactly who you are, Tony’s story offers hope, acceptance and inspiration.

Further resources and links:
Pre-order Tony’s new book: Recover Me

Buy Tony’s book: I Don’t Take Requests

Follow Fat Tony on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_fattony_/ 

ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com

Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

Why does GCSE revision feel such a challenge for teenagers with ADHD, and how can parents support them without the process turning into a battle?
In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Sarah Kennett, an ADHD coach, former head of science, and founder of Science Cafe. Sarah brings a unique dual perspective to this conversation: professional expertise as a long-term educator and lived experience of someone who was once the teen who couldn’t revise. 
Together, Sarah and Claire unpack what’s going on for ADHD brains during exam season and offer parents practical, neuro-affirming strategies that they can put into place with their teens.
Claire and Sarah discuss the common pitfalls of traditional study methods and why "just sitting down and reading" is often a recipe for shutdown, rather than success. They discuss:
Executive functioning overload and why revision can be a "perfect storm" for ADHD brains, requiring planning, prioritising, and memory all at once

The ADHD "Sticky Note" Memory and how ADHD students often lose information "mid-process" during an exam due to working memory challenges

The difference between activation and motivation, understanding that struggling to start is rarely about not caring, but often a challenge with task initiation

How to use dopamine as a study tool, for example providing quick wins and interest-led learning, which can fuel the brain’s reward system

Incorporating movement and the power of "human photocopying," standing desks, and audio revision for kids who think better when they’re active

How to create a retrieval practice by revisiting information "little and often" which helps teens build long-term confidence and resilience

Understanding the decompression gap - why jumping straight into revision after school can lead to burnout and how to prioritise nervous system regulation first

Whether your teenager is approaching their mocks, or you're planning ahead for GCSE season, this episode is packed with validation and creative tools to help your child show what they know without the mountain of stress.
Further resources and links:
Learn more about Sarah Kennett: https://www.science-cafe.co.uk/

Download Sarah’s Free Revision Guide: https://www.freeguide.sciencecafe.co.uk/

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @science_cafe_uk

ADHD coaching and Resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com

Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

What is the Neurodivergence Bill and how could it help ensure practical, everyday adjustments that actually help children learn and thrive at school?
In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD Podcast, Claire is joined by MP Adam Dance to discuss the Neurodivergence (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill, which attempts to bring earlier identification and better support for ADHD, dyslexia, autism and other neurodivergent conditions into primary schools. Adam is the Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil. He has ADHD and dyslexia himself, and his personal story deeply informs his campaign. 
Claire and Adam discuss:
How children continue to face stigma and bullying due to differences such as ADHD and why early universal screening will ensure they can access the right understanding and support at the right time

How misunderstood children can internalise being “naughty” and disengage from learning, plus the potential impact of this on their longer-term life outcomes

Adam’s personal experience being diagnosed with ADHD and why he’s so passionate about driving this bill forward

The core elements of the Neurodivergence (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill including universal primary‑age screening, continuous SEN training for teachers, plus how classroom teaching can be adapted to better support children with additional needs

The stark wealth gap that exists in access to diagnosis and support, and how universal screening could act as as a way to level the playing field

The challenges of systemic underfunding, plus the need for a 10‑year SEND plan to address the current crisis which as Adam describes “shouldn't be political at all.”

A message of hope and validation to parents supporting their neurodivergent children, reassuring them that their voices are being heard

This episode is a reassuring reminder to parents fighting for the right support for their children, that longer-term change is in motion and change is possible.
Please note Adam was in his busy parliamentary office when this episode was recorded, so you may hear some background noise as a result.

Further resources and links
Learn more about Adam and his work: https://www.libdems.org.uk/mps/yeovil
To read the Neurodivergence (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4017 
To order a copy of the book Unstoppable by Design which features chapters on both Adam and Claire’s ADHD stories: https://amzn.to/4qa0t2n
ADHD coaching and resources from Claire:https://allaboardadhd.com
Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok:@allaboardADHD
The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

What happens when you finally understand your ADHD and how can that insight reshape how you see your past, your work, and your parenting?
In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by Emma Sayle, one of the UK’s leading female entrepreneurs and founder of the global female empowerment brand Killing Kittens, which now has over 200,000 members with events across the globe. Diagnosed with ADHD in her early 30s, Emma shares her personal story of growing up undiagnosed, building multiple businesses, and parenting three neurodivergent children, all while learning to understand her own ADHD brain.
Emma reflects honestly on how receiving an ADHD diagnosis helped her reframe decades of lived experience, from school and relationships to risk-taking, ambition, and burnout. She explores the cost of masking, the pressure placed on high-achieving women, and how traits once labelled “too much” have become core strengths in her adult life.
Together, Claire and Emma explore:
What led to Emma’s ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, and how finally having an explanation reshaped her understanding of herself

How reflecting on childhood and school experiences through an ADHD lens brought clarity, compassion, and perspective

Why ADHD in girls and women is so often missed, and how gendered expectations influenced how Emma was perceived

The ADHD challenges Emma experienced growing up that later became strengths in leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship

How stimulation-seeking, future-focused thinking, and high energy shaped Emma’s career path and business success

Why environment plays a crucial role in focus, wellbeing, and balance, often more than motivation or discipline

How understanding her own ADHD has transformed the way Emma parents her children, particularly around empathy and connection

A reassuring message for parents navigating the ADHD journey, especially those wishing they had answers sooner

This episode is candid, reflective, and deeply reassuring, offering hope to parents and adults who are still making sense of their own ADHD story, while navigating the responsibility of raising neurodivergent children.

Learn more about Emma Sayle and her work:
Killing Kittens: https://www.killingkittens.com
The Sisterhood: https://www.thesisterhood.co.uk
To order a copy of the book Unstoppable by Design which features chapters on both Emma and Claire’s ADHD stories: https://amzn.to/4qa0t2n

ADHD coaching and resources from Claire:https://allaboardadhd.com
Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok:@allaboardADHD

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.