Reintroducing Understood.org: A letter from our founders, Nancy and Fred Poses

To the parent up at 2 a.m. with hundreds of questions — but no clear path forward.

To the teacher who notices that a student needs a different approach, but isn’t sure what kind.

To the woman who just got a diagnosis in her 30s, after years of feeling like she was the only one who couldn’t keep up.

To anyone navigating the realities of neurodivergence.

We’re Nancy and Fred Poses, and we’re so glad you found Understood.

Maybe you already know us. Maybe you landed here in the middle of an online search that started late at night and hasn’t really ended. However you got here, we’re glad you found us.

When we learned our son, Max, was neurodivergent, we struggled to find information and support. Like every parent, we wanted the best for our son and our family.

We needed information that was credible. Practical. And easy to find.

Instead information was scattered. Complicated. Hard to trust. 

There was no single place bringing research, expert guidance, and real life experience together in a way that made sense.

So we built one: Understood.org.

Now, more than 10 years later, we’ve grown from one family looking for answers into a place that reaches approximately 20 million people each year: parents, educators, and individuals navigating neurodivergence.

The people who come to Understood have taught us as much as we’ve taught them. And that’s why Understood has to keep going and growing.

Our founding goal hasn’t changed: help this community feel understood by making sure no one feels alone or underprepared.

However, how we deliver on that promise needs to evolve with the people we serve.

You might notice that Understood looks different now. Here’s why:

We’ve refreshed how Understood looks — as well as some of our language.

You may notice that we’ve used the word “neurodivergent” throughout this letter. It’s how more and more people who learn and think differently identify. It’s also become part of everyday conversation, in the news and online. That growing awareness is a positive, and it makes sense for us to reflect it. 

When it comes to imagery, navigating neurodivergence looks different for everyone. So we didn’t want animation, stock images, or one expression to stand in for the whole experience. Instead, you’ll see real people — serious, joyful, tired, proud, frustrated, relieved. The whole range.

We want Understood to feel like a place where you can recognize yourself, your child, or your student.

Initially, Understood served families and educators looking to support kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and other language and processing disorders. 

Over time, we’ve intentionally expanded our support and resources to meet our growing community’s needs. For example, today you’ll find articles, podcasts, videos, and digital tools for:

• Adults making sense of lifelong experiences and late diagnoses

• Employees navigating neurodivergence in the workplace

• Anyone trying to make sense of real-time research and policy shifts that could affect them or their family

Neurodivergence is lifelong — and so is our support. 

When we founded Understood, there wasn’t much information about neurodivergence. 

Today, information is everywhere. But not all of it is accurate or based on research. In fact, 52% of videos about ADHD on TikTok are misleading. This can have real consequences; 43% of people regret a health decision they made based on misinformation. 

Getting trustworthy information shouldn’t feel like an overwhelming research project.

At Understood, you’ll find:

• Clear summaries at the top of every article

• Personalized newsletters that deliver resources and news that’s relevant to you

• The Understood Assistant, which draws on our own library of expert-vetted resources to quickly answer your questions about neurodivergence

For all the things that are changing, some things are non-negotiable.

Understood is free. For anyone, anywhere. And always there.

We’re a nonprofit, here to provide trusted knowledge about ADHD, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodivergence as well as clear guidance, practical tools, and community support.

Our team of over 100 people work alongside a network of 90+ experts. These are clinicians, educators, researchers, and more. And most have a connection to the neurodivergent community or identify as neurodivergent themselves. The work is personal to us. 

This is what we set out to do more than a decade ago. And it’s what we’ll keep doing.

Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning, found us somewhere along the way, or landed here for the first time today, we’re glad you’re here. We truly believe that understanding makes everything possible. And Understood can help make that happen.

Warmly,

Nancy and Fred Poses