Understood by us
Because all of us who learn and think differently want to be understood.
Voices
Atira Roberson
“Trust me—if I can do this, then I know for sure you can!”
In grad school
Passionate about advocacy, education reform, and community
Differences: Dyslexia, dyscalculia (math), ADHD
Shadi Abdalla
“You’ll never unlock your full potential unless you accept your differences and learn how to manipulate them to your benefit.”
In college
Premed student, philosophy enthusiast, table tennis fan
Differences: ADHD
Ilena Katsonis
“What is your loudest voice? It took me so long to accept art as mine. Whatever it may be, we all have a voice in us and it isn’t a linear path to finding your own.”
In the workforce
Muay Thai fighter, freelance artist, loves to create
Differences: ADHD, OCD, anxiety, physical challenges, avoiding self-sabotage
Ryan Douglass
“What has been done should be less of a concern than what could be done.”
In the workforce
Published author, advocate for better representation of queer people of color
Differences: ADHD, dyslexia
Henry Lang
“Only an attention-deficit hyperactive 8-year-old would manage to swallow an entire Tostitos chip without chewing first.”
In college
Camp counselor, theater addict
Differences: ADHD, processing speed, dysgraphia (writing)
Savannah Treviño-Casias
“Embrace your difference, and show the world that you are capable, successful, and empowered.”
In grad school
Expert in all things self-advocacy
Differences: Dyscalculia (math), anxiety
Jo Shaffer
“ADHD runs in my family, but I’m the first generation to get tested and seek treatment.”
In the workforce
Obsessed with 3D animation, bass player in a band (The Ophelias)
Differences: ADHD, trouble with math
Mimi Schweid
“Glorified nerd for all things comics, film, and television. A writer of all things fantastically strange.”
In the workforce
Writing books since 2008, avid comic book and cosplay fan
Differences: Dyslexia, anxiety
Jay Oliveras
“In life, there are two routes you can go down. There’s the route traveled by most. Then there’s the route everyone is scared of. Don’t try to fit in.”
Starting college
Focused on becoming a world-class journalist, enjoys sports and video games
Differences: ADHD, autism, social anxiety
Andrea Toledano
“I have all this energy to burn—and I don’t know where it comes from. Imagine 80 open tabs on Chrome: That’s how my mind has always worked.”
In the workforce
Candidate for public office, freelancer writer, passionate about education reform
Differences: ADHD
Ben Shapiro
“Give in to the treatment. Stop fighting it. It never helps to say it just gets better or this is just a crappy phase in your life.”
In the workforce (Understood staff)
Aspiring comedian
Differences: ADHD, OCD
Olivia Thomas
“I want anyone reading this to understand that you may not be perfect—but if you are failing and learning, you are so much better than perfect.”
In the workforce
Preschool teacher; loves watercolors, cooking, and writing poetry
Differences: Dyslexia, processing speed
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