Growing up, Jared Robson got so sick of failing that he decided, “trying isn’t for me.” Jared got into trouble all the time and bounced around different high schools. He eventually graduated high school but admits that that might not have happened if his family weren’t so well-off.  

Now, Jared’s a stay-at-home dad and thriving as a college student taking courses online (He has a 4.0 GPA!). Jared and Laura talk about the “hyperactive little boy” stereotype. Listen as he describes his quest to find stillness and how he thinks of the ADHD failure cycle today.   

Related resources

• Understanding hyperactivity
• What is the school-to-prison pipeline? From Opportunity Gap
• ADHD in boys

Timestamps

(01:01) Jared’s school life growing up

(07:08) “Trying isn’t for me”

(10:54) Changing around high schools

(12:53) Trying out different colleges

(13:56) Managing expectations

(17:31) Jared’s “aha” moments

(20:14) Jared’s pandemic lifestyle change

(23:36) Jared’s mindset shift in the present day

For a transcript and more resources, visit the ADHD Aha! page on Understood.org.

Want to share your “aha” moment? We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].

Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.

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