Beyond The Label: Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations of Women with ADHD in a Post Secondary setting

Abstract

Recent literature has finally begun to acknowledge that women diagnosed with ADHD can experience unique challenges compared to their male counterparts. Mary and Bonnie will present case studies of women with ADHD in a post-secondary environment based on their work in Student Services at Athabasca University and Mount Royal University. Scenarios will include women previously diagnosed with ADHD; women with attention regulation challenges who learn of their ADHD during their undergraduate experience; and women with co-existing diagnoses. These women have granted permission for Mary and Bonnie to share each woman’s complex experience via a short video documentary and interactive discussion with the audience. Insights as to what strategies and supports have helped them in their lifelong journey will be shared. Students have given written permission to share their experiences at this conference.

Additional Information: There is a short video documentary used in the presentation chronicling the experience of 3 women with ADHD who work or learn in a post-secondary environment. Two of the women are undergraduate students, and one woman works as an Accessibility Advisor for Mount Royal University. The focus of the video is on strategies and supports which have helped them experience success. Bonnie Blankert is the professional who participated in the video and will also be co-presenting. Bonnie is also the president of CADSPPE, The Canadian Association of Disability Service Providers in Post Secondary Education. CADSPPE is under the umbrella of CACUSS (the association offering this conference). The video was made outside of my work at Mount Royal University (where I worked at that time) via my private practice - Cole & Associates Counseling Services - the women who participated in the video gave full, written permission for this video to be viewed in conference settings.