Danielle Elliott

I'll show you a proof of a book we're working on. My husband's a publisher. Sari went over, and the book was by a man named Tom Hartman. It was about adult ADHD. Sari couldn't believe it. She told the publisher what she wanted to write, a book about women with ADHD, and he suggested they work together. And we kept saying, okay, this is the time. We have to get this out right now.

Did you feel like you had grown out of it? Like, did you, as a fifth grader, did you remember then having a harder time sitting still or, you know, you're not in?

Did you feel like you had grown out of it? Like, did you, as a fifth grader, did you remember then having a harder time sitting still or, you know, you're not in?

She still didn't get moving. Then, her publisher told her there was going to be a conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the first-ever conference for adults with ADHD. She felt too shy to go to a conference. But her publisher mentioned that Tom Hartman would be there. Hearing this, she said, made her brave enough to go.

She still didn't get moving. Then, her publisher told her there was going to be a conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the first-ever conference for adults with ADHD. She felt too shy to go to a conference. But her publisher mentioned that Tom Hartman would be there. Hearing this, she said, made her brave enough to go.

No one suspected that Emily's grades might somehow have been affected by this hyperkinetic energy because doctors thought kids outgrow the condition. She was in high school in 1971 when a Canadian psychologist named Virginia Douglas gave a speech that would change everyone's understanding of hyperactivity, hyperkinesis, and attentional disorders.

No one suspected that Emily's grades might somehow have been affected by this hyperkinetic energy because doctors thought kids outgrow the condition. She was in high school in 1971 when a Canadian psychologist named Virginia Douglas gave a speech that would change everyone's understanding of hyperactivity, hyperkinesis, and attentional disorders.

This was at the annual meeting of the Association of Canadian Psychologists. Dr. Douglas explained research she'd conducted at Montreal Children's Hospital, where she determined that hyperkinesis is associated with attentional deficits and impulsivity. Hyperkinetic reaction of childhood became known as attention deficit disorder, ADD.

This was at the annual meeting of the Association of Canadian Psychologists. Dr. Douglas explained research she'd conducted at Montreal Children's Hospital, where she determined that hyperkinesis is associated with attentional deficits and impulsivity. Hyperkinetic reaction of childhood became known as attention deficit disorder, ADD.

In 1980, the third edition of the DSM updated the diagnostic criteria and officially changed the name. By then, Emily was a recent art school grad living in Toronto. She was married, building a life as a textile designer and weaver.

In 1980, the third edition of the DSM updated the diagnostic criteria and officially changed the name. By then, Emily was a recent art school grad living in Toronto. She was married, building a life as a textile designer and weaver.

Sari saw that when women with ADHD are together, they can stop hiding. They take off their masks. Their shame seems to disappear. They move at their natural pace in their natural way. They don't feel ashamed of being disheveled or scattered or talking too fast. They don't need to code switch.

Sari saw that when women with ADHD are together, they can stop hiding. They take off their masks. Their shame seems to disappear. They move at their natural pace in their natural way. They don't feel ashamed of being disheveled or scattered or talking too fast. They don't need to code switch.

Emily started to gain a reputation in the art world. One of her pieces was exhibited at a museum in New York, but she and her husband were feeling the pull to move home to Michigan. They bought an old schoolhouse in Traverse City. It's a picturesque town, right on the water. It's dreamy, and in many ways, so is their life. Financially, though, it was tough.

Emily started to gain a reputation in the art world. One of her pieces was exhibited at a museum in New York, but she and her husband were feeling the pull to move home to Michigan. They bought an old schoolhouse in Traverse City. It's a picturesque town, right on the water. It's dreamy, and in many ways, so is their life. Financially, though, it was tough.

Sari lived more than 40 years of life not knowing how to explain the way she felt. As she started to understand, she counseled dozens of women who didn't realize there were others like them. And at that conference, she saw what happens when women with ADHD connect with each other. If she was going to write about this, it was time. Back in California, she got to work.

Sari lived more than 40 years of life not knowing how to explain the way she felt. As she started to understand, she counseled dozens of women who didn't realize there were others like them. And at that conference, she saw what happens when women with ADHD connect with each other. If she was going to write about this, it was time. Back in California, she got to work.

Emily waitressed and continued making art. But being an artist in Traverse City, Michigan, wasn't the same as being an artist in Toronto. Her husband had started a graphic design firm.

Emily waitressed and continued making art. But being an artist in Traverse City, Michigan, wasn't the same as being an artist in Toronto. Her husband had started a graphic design firm.

What a life. She met someone and fell in love, built a creative career, moved to this beautiful place. They had two little boys. Emily absolutely loved being a mom. But a few years into joining her husband at the design firm, Emily was struggling at work.