How an ADHD diagnosis was lost and found again (Nikki Daye’s story)

Nikki Daye, a school psychologist and ADHD advocate, grew up in the foster care system. She was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but her medical records were eventually lost. As she got older, her ADHD diagnosis wasn’t considered. Instead, her symptoms were misdiagnosed as anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. 

While her ADHD diagnosis was “lost in translation,” Nikki spent a lot of time feeling misunderstood and unsupported. It wasn’t until adulthood that she finally got the clarity she needed. Now, she’s using her experience to advocate for kids with ADHD, including her own daughter.

Related resources

• 6 ways ADHD and PTSD can look alike
• ADHD and trauma

Timestamps

(01:18) Nikki’s first ADHD diagnosis as a teenager

(03:30) Nikki’s experience with echolalia 

(05:27) ADHD treatment, speculating other diagnoses, and medical records being lost while in foster care

(09:11) “Aging out” of her ADHD diagnosis, and coming back to it

(15:08) Nikki’s intersectional “aha” moments 

(20:33) Nikki’s work helping kids like her, and her daughter

For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! show page on Understood.org. 

We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at [email protected] or record a message for us here. 

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 is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.