I was in grade 7 (“7th grade”) shop class. The teacher was explaining how to make a spice rack. I tuned out, likely daydreaming. In those days, no one knew about ADHD. The memory of that kid’s mocking haunted me for years.

When we “empathize” by relating our own stories, we make it about us. It’s not always intentional, but it’s a risk. Thoughts inspired by the book The Gift by Edith Egar.

ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) share symptoms such as masking. Girls with ASD will imitate what they see in order to seem "normal".