EP. 135: ADHD, Suicide Prevention and Audio Journaling with Grace L’Orange

This week on Episode #135 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy welcomes Grace L’Orange. Grace is a school psychologist, behavior specialist, and suicide prevention coordinator working in public education. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and an advanced Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. Passionate about equity, inclusion, and advocacy for all students, especially those with disabilities and other differences, Grace works both directly with students and in educating other adults about the impacts of these differences on daily life.

Recently, Grace implemented systemic changes in her district by developing updated policies and procedures for special education and suicide prevention/intervention, focusing on equity and best practices. She serves as Director-At-Large on the board for her state school psychologist association and collaborates with the Suicide Prevention Coalition in her county. Initially drawn to school psychology due to her brother’s struggles with ADHD, Grace was diagnosed with ADHD herself at the age of 32. Since then, she has integrated this new facet of her life into her work as an educator with students with disabilities and behavior challenges.

In this episode, Grace shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, the changes she has experienced since then, and how learning about her ADHD shifted her understanding of its presentation in girls. She discusses the alarming number of ADHD women who have attempted suicide and the societal factors contributing to these high rates. Grace provides insights into signs of suicidal ideation and responsible ways to help someone at risk, and she explains how she uses audio journaling to overcome perfectionism, process her thoughts, and speak more kindly to herself. Grace also reveals her key to living successfully with ADHD.
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Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255
• 988lifeline.org
• Mental Health Crisis Response Program: 1-888-989-9990 (for parents of children through age 17)
• Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 (for LGBTQ youth)
• Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) online training for anyone: qprinstitute.com
• Hopesquad Prevention: hopesquad.com
• A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden, MS and Michelle Frank, PsyD (book mentioned)

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