Almost 70 million people in the United States have learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. Boys and girls likely have ADHD at similar rates. But girls are only diagnosed half as often. An estimated 50 to 80 percent of women with learning and thinking differences remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. They often grow up not knowing why they’re struggling. Blaming themselves. As girls and then as women, they face a “quiet fight” without the resources or support they need to thrive. 

Understood is committed to being part of the solution. In addition to the existing resources on Understood.org, we’ve made several advances in 2024 toward making sure all neurodivergent women are believed, supported, and understood: 

• Creating a free expert-vetted resource hub for women with ADHD.

• Publishing research on the quiet fight and on women and ADHD.

• Teaming up with Northwestern University to begin developing single-session interventions (SSIs) for women experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression as they navigate life with ADHD. Together, we’ll develop two brief digital tools to support women who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression as they also navigate life with ADHD.

• Launching MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel, a collection of podcasts designed by women for women with ADHD. 

• Partnering with 11:11 Media Impact, the charitable arm of Paris Hilton’s next-gen media and consumer lifestyle company. We’re working together to drive awareness, break down stigmas, and — most importantly — provide resources for women and children with ADHD across life, work, and health.

To build on this foundation of resources and support for the 26 million U.S. women with learning and thinking differences, we’re forming a Women’s Advisory Council. 

The council will bring together a diverse group of women leaders across various sectors, including business, government, education, entertainment, media, and the arts. Council members will all have deep personal experience with learning and thinking differences themselves or within their families, demonstrating a deep understanding of the challenges and needs of this community. They’ll help raise awareness of neurodivergence and how it manifests for women at home, at work, in the community, and in life.

Council members will serve as counselors to Understood, drawing from their own experience with learning and thinking differences in their personal, professional, or family lives or in the community. They’ll advise our team as we continue to develop and implement programs and interventions that fight stigma, drive advocacy, and improve the well-being of neurodivergent women.

“By bringing together these influential voices, we aim to raise awareness, drive research, and provide essential resources to help women thrive in all aspects of their lives,” - Nancy Poses, chair of the board and co-founder of Understood.

As we look forward to 2025, we’ll continue and expand our work to make sure all neurodivergent women are believed, supported, and understood. Stay tuned for more! 

To check out our resource hub for Women, visit u.org/adhd-women. To support Understood’s work empowering women who learn and think differently, visit u.org/women.