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The SENDcastAuthor: Dale Pickles
The SENDcast is a weekly podcast focusing on Special Educational Needs, it is an amazing way to keep up to date with all the different areas within SEN, best practices and to improve your knowledge around SEND. Language: en Genres: Education, Kids & Family, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The Experiences of Girls in School with Diagnosed/Undiagnosed ADHD with Louise Belshaw
Wednesday, 22 October, 2025
With ADHD awareness month upon us, we wanted to discuss the important topic of ‘the experiences of girls in school with diagnosed/undiagnosed ADHD’. In this episode, Louise Belshaw, who has ADHD and is a mother to two adult children with the condition, shares her extensive experience as a secondary teacher and her specialisation in ADHD in females. She highlights that: “I've seen too many girls not get the diagnosis, or not go forward with the diagnosis, because they're not being supported by school and the teachers don't know what ADHD in girls looks like”. Together, Dale and Louise explore: The unique presentation of ADHD in girls vs boys Challenges of identity, control, and friendship among neurodiverse females Societal expectations on girls' behaviour and self-perception The importance of understanding masking and people-pleasing tendencies Strategies for educators and parents to support girls with ADHD Louise emphasises the need for greater awareness and tailored support for girls, especially during secondary school. This episode sheds light on the complexities of ADHD in females and offers valuable insights. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Louise Belshaw I’m Louise Belshaw BA Hons, PGCE, MSc. CALC. I’m a certified ADHD life coach with a Masters degree in Psychology. My expertise is grounded in both professional training and lived experience. I’m also a mum to two children with ADHD, so I understand first hand the everyday challenges that ADHD can bring at home, at school, and during the often tricky transitions into adulthood. I know how much of a difference it makes to feel heard and understood. I’ve been fortunate to receive support from people who truly understood me and my children, but I’ve also experienced the distress of seeing my child’s needs overlooked by professionals. This is why I’m so passionate about making sure others don’t feel as alone or unsupported. Before becoming a coach, I spent over 25 years as a secondary school teacher and department head. During that time, I saw first-hand what helped young people with ADHD to thrive in the classroom - and what didn’t. I also worked closely with parents and teachers who often felt unsure how best to support these students, despite their care and good intentions. Again and again, I saw how much difference the right understanding, strategies, and guidance could make. This experience led me to create The ADHD Teacher, an online service offering coaching, mentoring, and consultancy to empower individuals with ADHD and the people who support them. My mission is to help you gain the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive. Whether you are a young person with ADHD, a parent seeking support, or an educator looking for expert guidance, I am here to help you turn challenges into real opportunities for growth. Contact Louise www.the-adhd-teacher.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/the.adhd.teacher.understanding.experience.support/ https://www.instagram.com/the_adhd_teacher https://x.com/lublub15 www.linkedin.com/in/theadhdteacherwww.linkedin.com/in/theadhdteacher Info@the-adhd-teacher.co.uk Useful Links A summary of an Interpretative Phenomenological Study into the Experiences of Secondary School in Women with Undiagnosed ADHD Further ADHD Resources available to you October is ADHD awareness month and the SENDcast are proud to join in solidarity to celebrate and provide resources to improve awareness! Check out other FREE podcasts and our CPD training sessions... Supporting ADHD awareness month 2025 B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
