AuDHD, sensory meltdowns, and hormones (Sam Hiew’s story)

After Samantha Hiew had her second child at age 40, hormonal changes shed light on her ADHD symptoms. She was diagnosed with ADHD and, later, autism. Sam talks about her experience with AuDHD, including regulating emotions and sensory meltdowns. Sam also talks about her multicultural experience and the importance of community when you have ADHD. 

Sam is a social entrepreneur, scientist, and advocate. She’s also the founder and director of ADHD Girls, an award-winning social impact organization that helps neurodivergent girls succeed.

Related resources

• What is AuDHD?
• A guide to hormones and ADHD
• adhdgirls.co.uk
• Sam’s personal website, samanthahiew.com

Timestamps

(01:21) What is ADHD Girls?

(02:59) Why was Sam questioning if she had ADHD?

(06:42) Sam’s multicultural experience with ADHD

(10:12) Sam’s ADHD symptoms

(12:04) Having both ADHD and autism

(14:32) Sensory meltdowns

(18:12) Sam’s childhood

(19:58) ADHD and hormones

(26:00) Where you can find Sam

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 [email protected].

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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