The Magic of ADHD Groups
By Catherine Mutti-Driscoll, MA, PhD, CALC
Head of Coaching, Hallowell Todaro Washington
I have had the pleasure of leading online groups for the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center for about a year now. I would describe this experience as magical. This is not a word I often use except, perhaps, to describe things like holiday lights, ice skates, and Harry Potter. I really do mean it this time :-)
As an online group leader, I bring some ADHD-related content, facilitate discussion, and set up the Zoom breakout rooms. However, the magic comes from what happens when we are all together, sharing about our neurodiverse experiences and supporting each other to be our best selves.
Since magic happens in threes, I will list off the three most magical things that happen in an ADHD group:
1). Participants feel seen and understood.
It’s amazing to feel like you can be yourself in groups with others who have ADHD. You do not have to be perfect nor pretend to be someone you’re not. Similarly, since I have ADHD too, I never have to feel ‘less-than’ when my executive function challenges show up in little ways. In this group context, we are all appreciated for who we are. This feeling is a great antidote to the ADHD challenges of perfectionism, self-criticism, and fixed mindsets that we frequently face in the outside world.
2). Group members learn they are not alone.
Many who attend the groups have felt like the “only one” who struggles with executive function and mental health challenges, but the common thread of our stories quickly appears, binding us together. Many participants have shared how It is so much easier to work on making one’s life better in community than all by themselves.
3). The strengths of ADHD reveal themselves SO clearly, glimmering like the precious jewels that they are.
Through the groups, the strengths of ADHD become so clear as the participants embody the celebrated ADHD traits of intelligence, curiosity, love of learning, creativity, and empathy for each other’s challenges. I love leading groups because I often learn new things from the members even though I have read SO many books already! My participants have so often thought of brilliant strategies, workarounds, and life philosophies that are amazingly innovative and completely unique.
In conclusion, if you have not experienced the magic of connecting with others with ADHD, I hope that you will consider doing so sometime in the future. Perhaps 2022 would be a wonderful time to start! In my experience, I find that magic is a definite dopamine booster.
There are all different kinds of ADHD groups to suit your interest and budget. For example, there are local and online groups on meetup.com, volunteer-led groups offered through the very affordable Attention Deficit Disorder Association membership, and also cost-effective group and class options here at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center. Cheers!
We run a range of online support groups for people with ADHD.