Driven By ADHD

Driven By ADHD Living life out loud with ADHD, curiosity, and compassion. Bus driver, dreamer, traveler, and believer in kindness, growth, and becoming your best self. XOXO

08/07/2026

Overstimulated, Overlooked, and Still Standing: Why Society Must Act More Effectively Regarding Neurodiversity.

I wish to take off armor now and feel one hundred percent exposed.

When a Neurodivergent person states society lacks design for our minds-that's no cool slogan. It feels exhausting, every single day. Yet, over past many years, I wrote my work-and my existence-struggling against my own end with very high pride. Annoying, soul-crushing and worried.

Long time back, I walked path of my late Grandfather and turned into School Bus Driver. I felt pride driving school bus. Like many bus drivers, I took pride giving safe trip to riders, and I had special bond with them.

Yet succeeding inside the Neurotypical workplace has occasionally seemed unachievable.

The Reality of the Workforce

Though bosses claim they are "inclusive", the main staff can be totally ignorant of varied minds. I was told I got fired suddenly with no reason given, I failed because of rules meant to help me and felt undervalued and too tired.

Having ADHD means daily professional setbacks every other day make you feel worthless, which drains mental energy. It forces you to track items constantly until paranoia sets in regarding what comes next; does your condition, or worldview, get weaponized against you?

It Spills Into Personal Lives, Too

This gap remains following the transition too. It impacts relationships similarly. Once my mind feels overloaded, I fall behind answering social posts. This isn't being absent or ignoring them; rather it is just my brain becoming saturated. Sadly, unlike when individuals choose to learn or help others, there is a fast belief that such a person is bad or does not care at all.

It would be good if as a world we could build a less one—not only tolerant, but welcoming for NDs.

Moving Forward: Justice⚖️, Advocacy📣, and My Purpose

If people understand me, they realize I will not stop fighting for justice easily. I am truly an activist, and I know without any doubt that my job here is to act as an advocate, teacher, and loud supporter for the Neurodiverse group that includes me.

I am a wonderful person. I love big, I am reliable and I am smart. During my past, I worked for ten plus years I worked hard in the airline industry, moving from ramp worker to gate agent role. I have now spent years driving buses. I hold class one permit with air brakes, manage dump trucks well though I choose automatic ones mostly, and learn quickly too. Yet main physical need is avoiding long times outside hot weather since meds make me prone to heat issues easily.

Nothing else does one need from employment or friends but dignity, respect and lack of judgment.

A Call to Inclusive Leaders!!

If you own a business, lead one, or run a group needing someone with top-tier work habits, valuing honesty and security, dedicated to fairness—and if your workplace fits my very varied thinking—then I have skills, and wish to join you!.

Could we cease attempting to force the vast array of neurodivergents into containers never designed for them? Let us become the initial ones to instruct, act, and create a realm where everyone belongs.

Thanks for reading..and helping Driven By ADHD.

Okay, when it comes to what "inclusion" really means, it's way more than just a trending term; it's an action and a move...
07/27/2026

Okay, when it comes to what "inclusion" really means, it's way more than just a trending term; it's an action and a movement, which takes some serious, no-holds-barred advocacy.

Lots of you who read what I post already know just how many times I talk about my amazing, activist close friend Jessica Lee Fletcher. Every day, you'll find her grinding away - knocking down walls, creating access and fostering understanding for everyone from her awesome kid, whose mission she champions through Hunter's Voice , to every single Neurodivergent person striving to be recognized, heard and respected in a system that was literally not made for them.

Seriously, the minute her videos went viral and started grabbing the hearts of millions globally, it was plain as day that her reach was already far beyond social media - she created a worldwide conversation about what it means to connect, to feel empathy and to achieve genuine, systemic inclusion.

And today, she just reached another huge milestone.

Jessica announced that Hunter's Voice is officially partnering with Maritime Clothing Co.

This isn't about swag or fancy logos. This is powerful, public activism! They're designing clothes meant to kick off conversations, make Neurodiversity mainstream and show that disability is just a part of everyday life. Better yet, a portion of the proceeds from every sale goes directly to local East Coast nonprofits supporting the disability community.

This is what "activism" from the ground up looks like: local ties, tangible impacts and direct assistance for those in need.

I couldn't be prouder of Jessica - not only does she never accept the status quo or bow down, but she continues pushing to create a world where everyone fits in. Today is an incredible day, and like she said herself, this is only the first chapter.

Please take a few seconds to support her, share and check out the very first collection here: https://maritimerclothingcompany.ca (Local pickup is available!)

Let's rally behind the people who do the hard work that makes all our communities better places to live in. You're still shining, Jessica!

Jessica NEVER change❤️❤️. As a member of the Neurodivergent community, I appreciate people like you and when I get to tell people your my friend, I do it with huge Pride❤️❤️

"We need to talk tomorrow at 9:00 AM." Sound familiar?If you're not the one sending that email or message to your team m...
07/06/2026

"We need to talk tomorrow at 9:00 AM."

Sound familiar?

If you're not the one sending that email or message to your team members, I'm guessing it sends shivers down your spine. And if you are the one sending it, take a moment to consider the effect that a vaguely worded, all-hands-on-deck message can have. Especially when your team lead or team members are Neurodivergent.
When meeting invitations are delivered with no preamble or hint as to what the topic will be, it sparks instant chaos in the brain as it tries to anticipate what's coming.

For those who are Neurodivergent, this lack of communication can manifest as acute Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria or Executive Dysfunction. So, instead of relaxing after a hard day, they spend the evening mentally preparing themselves for every single potential catastrophe.

We know that things pop up in business and meetings are necessary. But responsible leadership entails thinking about how we convey that urgency.

A single line can make a world of difference. "We need to meet tomorrow." or, better yet, "We need to meet tomorrow morning to look over the budget adjustments for next quarter." And don't worry, an agenda doesn't constitute "hand-holding;" it's simply what it looks like to practice respectful and inclusive management. It ensures your staff can attend meetings prepared and calm rather than losing sleep over looming unknowns.

Let's cut the suspense from our meeting invitations. Let's prioritize clarity and build trust. Let's leave anxiety in the dust.

07/06/2026

Welcome, you amazing people! Whether you've been on the wild ride with me from the beginning or you just scrolled into the picture this very second, you're here. I'm SO happy about it!

For the new faces - a quick hello and what this space is all about: "Driven by ADHD".

Living in a world not necessarily built for a neurodivergent brain is tough, sure. But it also comes with superpowers, a dash of chaos, and mad resilience. This space is for us to own that, share our real-deal struggles and triumphs, and fight for a world that "gets" us - all together. To all my OGs: thank you for riding this wave with me, your stories, support, and words keep this whole thing alive!

If you're new here or just stopping by for a peek, seriously, hit that follow button.

It helps so much to grow this tribe.

Most importantly?

This isn't a show - I want YOUR voices too!

Comment below, give that like button a run for its money, and share your stories on my posts. Let's make it a conversation. Lots of awesome stuff cooking, and I can't wait to share it all with you.

Keep going!

Welcome, you amazing people! Whether you've been on the wild ride with me from the beginning or you just scrolled into t...
07/06/2026

Welcome, you amazing people! Whether you've been on the wild ride with me from the beginning or you just scrolled into the picture this very second, you're here. I'm SO happy about it!

For the new faces - a quick hello and what this space is all about: "Driven by ADHD".

Living in a world not necessarily built for a neurodivergent brain is tough, sure. But it also comes with superpowers, a dash of chaos, and mad resilience. This space is for us to own that, share our real-deal struggles and triumphs, and fight for a world that "gets" us - all together. To all my OGs: thank you for riding this wave with me, your stories, support, and words keep this whole thing alive!

If you're new here or just stopping by for a peek, seriously, hit that follow button.

It helps so much to grow this tribe.

Most importantly?

This isn't a show - I want YOUR voices too!

Comment below, give that like button a run for its money, and share your stories on my posts. Let's make it a conversation. Lots of awesome stuff cooking, and I can't wait to share it all with you.

Keep going!

07/06/2026

The invisible baggage - it’s why so many ADHD adults carry around this overwhelming sense of not measuring up, even when they're brilliantly creative, wildly talented, and work ridiculously hard.
�It all boils down to a pretty stark number that advocates have been citing for years: by the age of 10, ADHD kids are exposed to about 20,000 more negative messages about their behavior than their non-ADHD peers. Twenty THOUSAND extra reminders to "sit down," "stop interrupting," "focus," "just try harder."

So, where do all these messages come from?

The important thing here is that they aren't malicious. These messages are coming from parents, teachers, and coaches who are often just as frustrated as the kid! They're coming from a world that was built around one way of processing information - a way that doesn't always fit the ADHD brain.
�When a brain works differently, a child is constantly hearing things like…

- "Why can't you just pay attention?"

- "You're not living up to your potential."

- "Stop being so disruptive."

- "If you'd just try harder, you could succeed."�
And if you add all that up day after day, year after year… eventually, all those external criticisms turn into an internal voice. And by the time an ADHDer hits adulthood, that inner voice can be LOUD, and it's very convincing. This "shame cycle" makes it really tough to seek help, take risks, and fully embrace the superpowers that come with an ADHD brain.

How do we turn this around?

We don't need to assign blame, but we DO need to shift the future. The trick is to shift our focus from correction to understanding.
�- Understand the "Why": Don't treat behaviour as a defiance issue or laziness; consider what the unmet need or overwhelm might be.

- Highlight Strengths: Hyper-focus, creative problem-solving, and boundless energy - make sure those amazing ADHD traits are part of the conversation, too.

- Validate Feelings: Often, just acknowledging that something is difficult is more powerful than a lecture about how to do it.
�Let's promise to replace those thousands of messages with curiosity, patience, and affirmation. Because changing the narrative we share with ADHD kids also changes the narrative they create for themselves.
�Hey, ADHDers! Parents of ADHDers! What's one positive thing you wish you'd been told more as a kid? Let's share some encouragement in the comments below.
�

The invisible baggage - it’s why so many ADHD adults carry around this overwhelming sense of not measuring up, even when...
07/05/2026

The invisible baggage - it’s why so many ADHD adults carry around this overwhelming sense of not measuring up, even when they're brilliantly creative, wildly talented, and work ridiculously hard.

It all boils down to a pretty stark number that advocates have been citing for years: by the age of 10, ADHD kids are exposed to about 20,000 more negative messages about their behavior than their non-ADHD peers. Twenty THOUSAND extra reminders to "sit down," "stop interrupting," "focus," "just try harder."

So, where do all these messages come from?

The important thing here is that they aren't malicious. These messages are coming from parents, teachers, and coaches who are often just as frustrated as the kid! They're coming from a world that was built around one way of processing information - a way that doesn't always fit the ADHD brain.

When a brain works differently, a child is constantly hearing things like…

- "Why can't you just pay attention?"

- "You're not living up to your potential."

- "Stop being so disruptive."

- "If you'd just try harder, you could succeed."

And if you add all that up day after day, year after year… eventually, all those external criticisms turn into an internal voice. And by the time an ADHDer hits adulthood, that inner voice can be LOUD, and it's very convincing. This "shame cycle" makes it really tough to seek help, take risks, and fully embrace the superpowers that come with an ADHD brain.

How do we turn this around?

We don't need to assign blame, but we DO need to shift the future. The trick is to shift our focus from correction to understanding.

- Understand the "Why": Don't treat behaviour as a defiance issue or laziness; consider what the unmet need or overwhelm might be.

- Highlight Strengths: Hyper-focus, creative problem-solving, and boundless energy - make sure those amazing ADHD traits are part of the conversation, too.

- Validate Feelings: Often, just acknowledging that something is difficult is more powerful than a lecture about how to do it.

Let's promise to replace those thousands of messages with curiosity, patience, and affirmation. Because changing the narrative we share with ADHD kids also changes the narrative they create for themselves.

Hey, ADHDers! Parents of ADHDers! What's one positive thing you wish you'd been told more as a kid? Let's share some encouragement in the comments below.

The Silent Struggle: ADHD "Shutdowns" Aren't an Attitude Problem.Have you ever gone to a local sporting event, somethin...
06/27/2026

The Silent Struggle: ADHD "Shutdowns" Aren't an Attitude Problem.

Have you ever gone to a local sporting event, something you were told to find fun, and watched your brain check out entirely? You start staring at your surroundings and your phone, and before you know it you've completely disappeared from the conversation, as if your voice and focus went out for a break and never returned.
�For the people around you, you might come across as "boring," "miserable," or perhaps even just rude. However, for many of us who are living with ADHD, what happens inside our minds during this time is completely different. �We are not trying to ruin the vibe. We're struggling silently.
�There's still a massive disconnect in understanding between the general public's perception of Neurodivergence and the actual reality. When we quiet down and fade away, it’s very seldom done with the intention of causing a disturbance. More often, it’s an unconscious survival instinct triggered by two distinct factors: a lack of interest and an environment that feels emotionally unsafe.

1. The Dopamine Deficiency: When Lack of Interest Freezes the Brain.

If you want to grasp how ADHD works, you need to grasp how dopamine, interest, and novelty fuel our brains. A typical brain may manage to force its way to focus on an uninteresting topic, thanks to sheer willpower or a strong sense of social obligation. An ADHD brain just cannot do that.
�When you place a Neurodivergent individual in an environment they have no interest in, the kind of uninspired setting where you’d have no interest in the sport and the accompanying spectators, your mental battery doesn't just deplete - it hits rock bottom zero.
�Without anything positive capturing our attention, our brain loses its ability to filter the outside world. Each sensory input suddenly reaches us at the loudest volume. The bleacher's echoes, the sound of people talking, whistles blowing, bright lights - everything transforms into a disorienting, overpowering wave of sound. We are not deliberately being antisocial - rather, our brains are experiencing a full electrical system shutdown due to a lack of any stimulation that is even vaguely appealing.

2. The Emotional Drain: Being Stuck Around the Wrong People.

These brain power-draining scenarios are made even worse if you're forced to interact with challenging people. If you have ADHD, and you're in close quarters with people who have personally offended or let you down multiple times, your brain kicks into high alert mode. People with ADHD tend to process emotions on a deeply intense level, and being in proximity with individuals who have a history of undermining you automatically creates an undercurrent of anxiety and resentment. When you're already using up all your mental capacity to cope with a mundane or overwhelming situation, trying to act "normal" or friendly with someone who has mistreated you becomes a Herculean task.
�Pulling away, looking down, or falling silent isn't some sort of petty reaction; it is a defense mechanism. It’s our way of protecting ourselves and preserving the precious little energy we have left.
�"Being referred to as 'miserable' or 'boring' as a neurodivergent person can be painful-particularly since we are never trying to be spiteful."

A Little Compassion Goes a Long Way
Living in a world that’s generally tailored for Neurotypicals as a Neurodivergent person is uniquely isolating. Being repeatedly labeled as the “party pooper” when you’re desperately trying to just survive an afternoon takes a huge toll. Nobody chooses to behave this way because they want to be difficult; it is always because there's something wrong.
�Obviously, no one can expect the general public to instantly grasp all of the inner workings of an ADHD brain, but an element of grace, kindness, and compassion can go a long, long way. Instead of assuming someone is miserable because they want to be, why not consider that they're simply overwhelmed, utterly under-stimulated, or attempting to self-protect against an unfavorable situation?
�To all my fellow ADHDers who understand the reality of this silent struggle - I see you. You're not boring, you're not miserable, and there's nothing wrong with stepping away when you need to. You are simply processing a noisy, overwhelming world through a one-of-a-kind brain.
�

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