In "I'm Not Like Other Children" Growing Up with ADHD with Rachael Harper", we uncover the early experiences that shaped Rachael's understanding of herself in a world that often didn't quite fit.

Join us as Rachael shares her poignant childhood revelation at just four years old, a moment when she instinctively knew, "I'm not like other children". This early awareness became the foundation of her journey with what would later be diagnosed as ADHD.

This episode explores:

* Rachael's recollections of being a child who felt different even before her diagnosis at the age of 10 in 1998. A time when there wasn't a lot of information known about ADHD, and it was largely considered a "boys condition".

* How her early presentation of ADHD, which she describes as more typical of a boy – being loud and disruptive – may have been a factor in her diagnosis at that time.

* The challenges of navigating primary school as a child who felt different, including both nurturing teacher support and instances of misunderstanding and accusations of "inappropriate behaviour," such as hugging a play therapist.

* The stark contrast of entering high school and naively sharing her ADHD diagnosis in year seven, which unfortunately led to bullying and being called names like "psycho" due to a lack of understanding from her peers.

* Her resilience as a child, finding solace and a means of expression through writing poetry to cope with bullying.

Listen to Rachael's compelling firsthand account of growing up with undiagnosed and later diagnosed ADHD in a world that didn't always understand neurodivergence.

Gain a deeper appreciation for the early signs, the impact of limited awareness, and the personal journey of a child coming to terms with being different.

This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding the childhood experiences of individuals with ADHD.

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