In this episode of the FINDtheADHDGirls podcast, guest interviewer Katherine Ellison sits down with Kelly Pickens, a family nurse practitioner who didn’t discover her own ADHD until her late 40s.

Kelly shares how that diagnosis not only transformed her life, but also helped her understand and advocate for her neurodivergent children. She opens up about the emotional toll of being undiagnosed for decades, the healing power of coaching and medication, and the urgent need for better ADHD screening—especially for women and girls.

Kelly also introduces the NICE Index, her holistic, human-centered model for evaluating ADHD and autism, which goes far beyond the standard diagnostic checklist.

🎧 Whether you’re a parent, clinician, or someone who’s been wondering if ADHD could explain more than you realized, this conversation is for you.

#ADHDLife #LateDiagnosis #ADHDAwareness #WomenWithADHD #NeurodivergentStrength #ParentingADHD #ADHDGirls #NICEIndex #InvisibleDisabilities #ADHDPodcast

Find The ADHD Girls is a project of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org)

The mission of this project is to give all girls who have ADHD
a fair start in life by getting them diagnosed by age 8.

COULD YOUR DAUGHTER HAVE ADHD?

ADHD can look different in girls - meaning that often, they are missed for ADHD diagnosis.

Find out if your daughter has ADHD at findtheadhdgirls.org

Learn about inattentive ADHD at www.iadhd.org, the only website solely about inattentive ADHD

Katy opens up about her struggles before diagnosis, how stereotypes delayed recognition, and what changed once she understood her brain. As a mother, coach, and graduate student in mental health counseling, she’s now helping other women and girls feel seen, supported, and empowered.

We cover it all:

✨ The grief and relief of a late ADHD diagnosis

✨ What her childhood report cards revealed in hindsight

✨ Why high-achieving girls are often missed

✨ How parenting, therapy, and advocacy transformed her life

✨ The one piece of advice she gives all her coaching clients

From overwhelmed PTA mom to podcast host and future therapist, Katy’s story shows how an adult ADHD diagnosis can unlock purpose, healing, and meaningful change.

📌 Like, subscribe, and share to raise awareness about early ADHD diagnosis in girls.

💌 Sign up for our free monthly newsletter for tools and stories: www.findtheADHDgirls.org

👇 Comment below: What part of Katy’s story resonated most with you?

🎧 Listen to more interviews at: https://www.findtheadhdgirls.org/podcast

#ADHDInGirls #WomenWithADHD #LateDiagnosis #ADHDAwareness #NeurodivergentVoices #FINDtheADHDgirls #GirlsWithADHD #ADHDPodcast #ADHDSupport #InvisibleADHD

Find The ADHD Girls is a project of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org)

The mission of this project is to give all girls who have ADHD
a fair start in life by getting them diagnosed by age 8.

COULD YOUR DAUGHTER HAVE ADHD?

ADHD can look different in girls - meaning that often, they are missed for ADHD diagnosis.

Find out if your daughter has ADHD at findtheadhdgirls.org

Learn about inattentive ADHD at www.iadhd.org, the only website solely about inattentive ADHD

In this powerful interview, Dr. Stephen Faraone — Distinguished Professor, Harvard lecturer, and President of the World Federation on ADHD — joins us to unpack decades of research, persistent myths, and why early treatment can be life-changing for girls with inattentive ADHD.

We cover:

✅ Why girls are still underdiagnosed

✅ Why “quiet” doesn’t mean “okay”

✅ The science behind ADHD medications

✅ What the research actually says about therapy vs. meds

✅ How to advocate for your child (even when schools can't)

✅ The danger of misinformation — and how to fight back

This is a must-watch for parents, educators, mental health professionals, and anyone who wants to understand ADHD in girls through an evidence-based lens.

🔗 Learn more at FINDtheADHDgirls.org

🔗 Explore the science at ADHDevidence.org

#ADHDinGirls #ADHDAwareness #InattentiveADHD #ADHDTreatment #MentalHealthMatters #GirlsWithADHD #ADHDMedication #ADHDEducation #ADHDParenting #FINDtheADHDgirls

Find The ADHD Girls is a project of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org)

The mission of this project is to give all girls who have ADHD
a fair start in life by getting them diagnosed by age 8.

COULD YOUR DAUGHTER HAVE ADHD?

ADHD can look different in girls - meaning that often, they are missed for ADHD diagnosis.

Find out if your daughter has ADHD at findtheadhdgirls.org

Learn about inattentive ADHD at www.iadhd.org, the only website solely about inattentive ADHD