PODCAST. Shedding the Shame: Girls, Masking, and Late ADHD with Cynthia Hammer.
EPISODE SPONSORED BY:
Inflow. Inflow helps people make sense of how ADHD traits show up in their own lives, then points them toward the support thatโs right for them. For some people, that means practical CBT-based tools in the Inflow app. For others, it may mean connecting them to specialized ADHD therapy through one of Inflowโs trusted partners. Take Inflowโs free ADHD traits quiz at wisesquirrels.com/inflow.
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Welcome to Wise Squirrels, the podcast for late-diagnosed adults with ADHD.
On our 80th episode of Wise Squirrels, Dave speaks with 82-year-young Cynthia Hammer, MSW. Cynthia was diagnosed in 1992 at age 49 with the inattentive type of ADD, not known as the inattentive presentation of ADHD. She is the author of Living with Inattentive ADHD: Climbing the Circular Staircase of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the pioneering founder of two non-profits, ADD Resources and the Inattentive ADHD Coalition.
Today, Cynthia Hammer heads a critical movement to catch neurodivergent girls before they slip through the diagnostic cracks. Her current enterprise, FIND the ADHD girls, provides a powerful childhood screening checklist, a monthly newsletter, and an extensive library of free clinical resources designed to support families and educators worldwide. Learn more at www.FINDtheADHDgirls.org.
For decades, the public understanding of ADHD has been completely dominated by a single cultural archetype: the hyperactive little boy running amok and disrupting the classroom. But what about the quiet, daydreaming girls sitting perfectly still while masking an internal storm just to fit in?
When neurodivergence is hidden behind a wall of perfect behavior, it doesn't disappear; it turns inward, transforming into decades of chronic, internalized shame and severe anxiety. In this episode of Wise Squirrels, elite advocate and author Cynthia Hammer joins the show to completely deconstruct the hidden presentation of female ADHD. We dive deep into why the medical system is still failing young girls, the profound psychological cost of a late-stage diagnosis, and the liberating journey toward self-forgiveness.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
The 33 RPM Brain: You will explore the profound pacing differences among the predominantly hyperactive, combined, and frequently missed predominantly inattentive ADHD presentations. Learn more about ADHD presentations here.
The Mechanics of Childhood Masking: Cynthia breaks down exactly how young girls intuitively hide their symptoms as early as age three, masking their true cognitive experiences to meet cultural expectations of perfection.
The Long Road to Identity Reconstruction: We pull back the curtain on the raw, unvarnished three-to-five-year psychological transition that occurs after an adult diagnosis, detailing how late-diagnosed adults may rebuild their lives.
Overcoming Internalized Shame: Listeners will discover how to re-examine decades of personal history through a clearer, more compassionate lens to break the cycle of chronic self-blame.
Firing Your Inner "Worst Boss": You will learn how decades of an undiagnosed struggle cultivate destructive internal monologues, alongside tactical strategies to shift your negative self-talk toward authentic self-esteem.
To access the free childhood screening checklist or to join Cynthiaโs nationwide network of late-diagnosed advocates, visit www.FINDtheADHDgirls.org today.
