A recent webinar on ADHD in women has shed light on a significant lack of support services for neurodivergent women. Hosted by Hannah Hardy-Jones, co-founder of Contented, and Sarah McGuinness, founder of Revolutionaries of Wellbeing, the webinar offered an honest look into the daily lives of women with ADHD. It quickly became a virtual safe space of understanding and validation.
The event drew over 200 registrations, far exceeding initial expectations. Hardy-Jones admitted, “I honestly thought it’d be amazing if we could get maybe 20 women. It really shows the complete lack of support and groups out there.”
Throughout the session, webinar attendees shared their experiences of living with ADHD, highlighting common struggles that often go unnoticed. Time management issues, difficulty regulating emotions, and a tendency to overshare were recurring themes. These challenges often lead to feelings of isolation and misunderstanding in both personal and professional settings.
McGuinness shared a relatable story about school enrolment: “I was like, cool, my kids will go to the new school. So over the summer break, I went and bought them the school uniform and I did all the things, got organised and then I took the school on Monday morning and they were like, who are these children? You haven’t even enrolled.”
What made this webinar unique wasn’t just the information shared, but the visible relief as attendees realised they weren’t alone in their struggles. One attendee shared, “I’m feeling emotional about all the things that I struggle with, knowing I’m not alone.”
Another remarked, “This is the first webinar I’ve ever spoken in – in my 6 years of webinar-ing!”
The hosts and attendees discussed various coping strategies, from using timers and creating visual reminders to exploring medication options. However, the main takeaway was the need for ongoing support and connection with others who understand the unique challenges of ADHD.
Watch the replay
The Gap in Support Services
The webinar made it clear that while ADHD is gaining more recognition, there’s still a lack of tailored support for women. Despite the obvious need, both hosts and attendees were surprised to find a significant lack of existing support groups for women with ADHD in New Zealand.
Hardy-Jones says, “I was like, I’ll post this into, like, ADHD women, LinkedIn groups. There’s none. There’s none.”
This discovery prompted an immediate call to action. Participants eagerly backed the idea of creating a dedicated LinkedIn group, with many expressing their willingness to join and contribute. The enthusiasm was evident, with comments like “Yes! Setting up a group would be awesome!” flooding the chat. In fact, by the end of the session, the LinkedIn group had already been set up by one attendee.
Why Women-Specific ADHD Support Matters
While ADHD affects all genders, women often face unique challenges:
- Many women aren’t diagnosed until adulthood, often after years of unexplained struggles.
- Women are more likely to develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms, making diagnosis and support more challenging.
- Hormonal changes can impact ADHD symptoms, particularly during menopause.
- Women often face added pressure to “have it all together,” especially in roles like parenting or managing a household.
These factors underscore the importance of creating spaces where women with ADHD can share experiences, strategies, and support each other.
The Way Forward: Building a Community
The webinar didn’t just identify a problem; it sparked the beginning of a solution:
- A LinkedIn group is being created specifically for women with ADHD in New Zealand.
- Plans are underway for follow-up webinars, with topics like managing ADHD during the holidays already suggested.
- Participants are actively connecting and sharing resources, from medication experiences to productivity apps.
The enthusiasm for these initiatives shows the strong desire for connection and support among women with ADHD in New Zealand. As one participant shared, “I’m feeling emotional about all the things that I struggle with knowing I’m not alone.”
A Call to Action
If you’re a woman with ADHD in New Zealand, or you support someone who is, here’s how you can get involved:
- Join the new LinkedIn group (link coming soon).
- Share your experiences and resources. Your story could help someone else.
- Advocate for more ADHD support services in your local community.
- Keep an eye out for future webinars and events.
This webinar is just the start of a larger conversation. As these support networks grow, they’re not just creating groups; they’re fostering understanding, sharing strategies, and reminding each other that no one is alone in this journey.
Have you felt the need for more ADHD support groups in New Zealand? What would your ideal support network look like?
