Why “just try harder” is a myth (David Flink’s story)

As a child, David Flink was told to “just try harder.”  But David wasn’t lazy. He was trying as hard as he could.   

After being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in the 5th grade, David went to a school that taught him to “try smarter” instead. There he learned to pick paths that work better for his brain.   

Today, David is an author, advocate, and speaker. He’s also the founder and chief empowerment officer of Eye to Eye, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving experiences for students with learning differences. Host Laura Key and David discuss how Eye to Eye was born, and bust some age-old ADHD myths.   

To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit the ADHD Aha! podcast page at Understood.

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Related resources

• David’s article, “Why just try harder” is a myth
• How having mentors can help kids who learn and think differently
• Eye to Eye’s website

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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