Have you ever wondered about how you could be supporting your neurodivergent friends and loved ones? It's never too late to acknowledge the needs of your close friends and family. 

Neurotypical and neurodivergent people experience the world differently.

People with ADHD are often spontaneous, funny, and carefree. They build relationships on loyalty and can be especially empathetic. Yet, sometimes the challenges they face can strain relationships of all kinds, whether you're friends, partners, parents, siblings or other loved ones. 

ADHD can lead people to feel impulsive, struggle to manage their emotions, and make it difficult to stay focused, all of which can make maintaining relationships challenging. 

Supporting our neurodivergent loved ones begins by acknowledging those differences and accommodating the people we care about. Here are a few things to think about when you find your relationships are strained:

Forgetting conversations

ADHD can impact focus, making it easier to forget having a conversation or missing certain details, so forgive your friends when it seems like they weren't paying attention. 

Interrupting conversations

People with ADHD may find it difficult to wait their turn in a conversation, leading them to interrupt someone who is speaking. They are not trying to be rude, but often worry about losing their thoughts or overwhelming their memory. 

Sensitive to criticism

What might seem like constructive feedback can cause anxiety and the sense of rejection for people with ADHD. Stay positive and provide clear, specific, comments, and avoid jokingly critiquing your friends as it may be misunderstood. 

Supporting our loved ones begins with being conscious of how neurodivergent people experience the world and understanding how their experience is different from your own. 

People with ADHD can provide loyal and compassionate relationships, they just need their friends and family to understand those needs. 

‍