What’s So Important about Identity Anyway?
- How Identity is Developed
- The benefits of an integrated identity
Why Traditional Identity Models Fail Neurodivergent Clients
- Limitations of Erikson/Mahler
- The Cost of misalignment and how forcing integration via conformity fuels internalized shame
- Disability and Minority Models as a Blueprint for an ADHD Identity Model
- Resource: Infographic Comparative Chart of Identity Development Models
Rewriting the Script: The ADHD Identity Development Model
- The 5 stages of ADHD Identity Development
- Diffusion: “Everyone’s brain works like mine!”
- Exploration: “What’s wrong with me?”
- Foreclosure: “I’m broken forever.”
- Immersion: “ADHD is my superpower!”
- Integration: “I belong everywhere – strengths and struggles”
- Stage-Specific Risks and Benefits
- Stage Stage-specific frequent co-occurring conditions and struggles
- Case Study: A client’s journey from self-blame (Exploration) to advocacy (Integration)
- Resource: ADHD Identity Stage Tracker (visual roadmap + client examples)
Identity Development Stage Assessment
- Why Assessing Our Client’s Stage Matters
- How to Use the ADHD Identity Stage Interview Guide to quickly determine your client’s identity development stage
- Identify development assessment role-play
- Resource: ADHD Identity Stage Interview Guide
Stage-by-Stage Interventions
- Guided symptom exploration in diffusion
- Balanced skill building with the ADHD Strengths/Vulnerabilities Matrix for Exploration
- Hope Anchor Exercise to identify small wins in Foreclosure
- Advocacy Role-play scripts to channel pride into collaboration in Immersion
- System check-in routines for continued reflection in integration
Risks, Limitations, and Cultural Considerations
- Limitations of theory
- Impact of comorbidities and trauma on accurate identification
- Cultural considerations of the model
Question and Answer


