Treat the ADHD First! — Co-Occurring Conditions w/ Dr. Roberto Olivardia

💡Is ADHD ultimately good, ultimately bad, or ultimately neither good nor bad, but still largely misunderstood? 

In this episode, we are thrilled to visit with Dr. Roberto Olivardia—a clinical psychologist, lecturer at Harvard Medical School, expert on ADHD, dyslexia, and co-occurring conditions, and a dear friend and colleague of ours. 

From the challenges of executive dysfunction and procrastination, to the hidden strengths of creativity, imagination, empathy, and hyperfocus, Dr. Olivardia unpacks what it really means to live (and thrive) with ADHD. Always taking education and advocacy that “extra mile,” Olivardia also discusses ADHD as it “cooccurs” with related conditions like dyslexia, anxiety, Tourette’s, and depression.

Looking for emotionally charged and powerful true stories? Olivardia is one of the greatest storytellers we know: from his mother’s fierce risk-taking to his son’s early musical brilliance, he shows how the same brain chemistry that makes life difficult can also spark resilience, innovation, and deep connection.

✨ Highlights ✨

• ADHD and dyslexia as “two sides of the same coin”
• Why boredom fuels creativity and imagination in ADHD brains
• How hyperfocus can transform struggle into flow and purpose
• Why dyslexia can sometimes unlock unique musical ability
• The importance of treating ADHD challenges first, so strengths can shine

This episode is for anyone navigating ADHD, dyslexia, or other co-occurring conditions and wrestling with the question: What does it mean to be built differently?

We hope that you find this episode as awesome as we did recording it… we feel extra special about it because, earnestly, Dr. Olivardia holds an extra special place in our hearts. 💕 

📺 Watch the full conversation with Dr. Roberto Olivardia now on Attention Different YouTube: 👉 youtube.com/@attentiondifferent

We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.

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