ADHD might explain why I would plan a 16-state, 2-week road trip! 

2024 brought several milestone to my life. I embarked on an epic road trip through 16 states with my family, I turned 43 years young, and I was diagnosed with ADHD combined type. Come to think of it, the ADHD might explain why I would plan a 16-state, 2-week road trip! 

Screenshot by Betsy Springer of my epic road trip. August 2024.

I want to talk about ME!

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As I’ve worked to understand my brain better this year, in part by networking with fellow educators who also work alongside neurodiversity, I find a dearth of resources geared towards the needs of teachers with ADHD. 

A Google search of ADHD in education yields an overwhelming number of results for teaching students with ADHD, but little for the teacher dealing with their own mental needs. I can only speak to my diagnosis, but I suspect this could be true for other neurodiverse conditions as well. 

Stigma, lack of resources, overwhelm: there are many reasons an adult may avoid seeking a diagnosis for any neurodivergent condition.

Beyond general societal stigma, they may feel, like I did, silly for considering such a diagnosis so late in life.

Finally, neurodivergence is a spectrum and while some may experience symptoms daily and benefit from treatment, others may only experience disruptions occasionally. Even those with subclinical symptoms benefit from more knowledge about how their brain works. 

Neurodiversity, including ADHD, poses specific challenges for teachers.

Some I have experienced or heard from educators include:

• Being easily overwhelmed by noisy rooms
• Physical reactions to unplanned interruptions in the schedule
• Distractibility: Losing items, getting off the lesson plan, etc
• Time Blindness: Overestimating what can be accomplished in a class period.
• Burnout due to hyper-focus

Some strategies that might help neurodivergent educators include:

Using Technology:

• Digital Calendars with Reminders allow for teachers to schedule not only tasks but multiple reminders for whatever needs to be done.
• Timers: Using a smartwatch, Alexa (if allowed in your classroom) or old fashioned egg timer and ensure you are moving on to the next task on time. If you have a hard time getting started, set a 5-15 minutes timer. Most times, you’ll want to keep going even after it’s done. 
• Use a tool like Goblin Tools to break tasks into smaller chunks. Modeling this for students can be empowering for the entire class.

Using Education

Some resources that have helped me include:

• ADHD for Smart-A** Women Podcast
• Evolving with Gratitude Podcast
• I Have ADHD Podcast
• The ADHD Advantage
• The Adult ADHD and Anxiety Workbook

Using Community:

• Self-Care: If you schedule it, it might happen. Block off regular time for yourself on your calendar. Automate as much as possible with recurring appointments and scheduled emails. 
• Seek Support: Many with neurodiversity feel isolated, but there are more of us out there than you might realize. Talk with trusted colleagues or seek a larger support group online to share tips and support one another through struggles. 
• Seek More Support: Ask your doctor if a diagnosis followed by various therapies, both prescription and non-prescription, could help. One podcast guest said taking ADHD medicine felt like putting on glasses when you are nearsighted.

With the right environment and support, neurodiversity can be a superpower that allows you to stand out and stand up for the students who need you most. 

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About Betsy Springer

Betsy Springer is a teacher and instructional coach at Gull Lake Virtual Partnership, a school in the Gull Lake Community Schools district in southwest Michigan. She teaches ELA for grades 6-12 and provides instructional coaching for virtual teachers K-12.

With nearly 20 years of time in education, Betsy has a bachelors in secondary education and a master’s in education technology. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in education policy. Betsy’s passion is supporting and advancing disruptive and innovative education.

Betsy lives in northern Michigan with her high school sweetheart and four children, who are her best teachers.