You're Not Whitewashed — You're Neurodivergent

You're Not Whitewashed — You're Neurodivergent

Growing Up Black, Undiagnosed, and Misunderstood

— A Blog Companion to My YouTube Storytime

This post is the “work version” of my recent YouTube video. If you’re someone who likes to read, reflect, or share with a friend who might relate—this one’s for you.

🫖 Let’s Set the Scene [0:00–1:00]

Hey friend. So… this video was a little different. No paintbrushes, no heavy editing—just me, sitting down like we’re having tea and vibing. I wanted to share something deeply personal that I think a lot of us carry—but not enough of us talk about. Especially if you're Black. Especially if you're neurodivergent. Especially if no one ever saw you.

🧠 Childhood, Faith, and Feeling Different [1:00–4:00]

I was diagnosed with ADHD just last year. And I’m currently getting tested for autism too—which honestly explains so much of my life.

I was that imaginative, bouncy kid who hyper-focused one minute and totally zoned out the next. But growing up Seventh-day Adventist in a super conservative, sheltered environment? There wasn’t space for that. Long dresses. No jewelry. Tons of rules. Not a lot of room to just be a kid—especially not a neurodivergent one.

I loved vintage things: classical music, old movies, older language. I got called “whitewashed” a lot—by white kids andBlack ones. I didn’t fit anywhere. It was isolating.

💡 The Missed Signs [4:00–6:30]

Looking back, the ADHD was obvious. Forgetfulness. Zoning out. Inconsistent focus. But because I wasn’t disruptive or loud, no one noticed. I did well in some classes, so teachers chalked everything else up to laziness or shyness.

I internalized it all. I thought I was the problem. That I wasn’t trying hard enough. That I just couldn’t get it together. I became quiet. Scared to speak. Constantly second-guessing myself.

💔 The Impact of Being Missed [6:30–8:30]

Undiagnosed ADHD messes with your identity. I didn’t trust my voice. I shrank myself. I tolerated mistreatment. I became hyperaware of how I was perceived—especially as a Black girl.

Statistically? We’re often left out. A 2020 study showed boys are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. And Black girls? Even less likely. We’re more likely to be labeled defiant, lazy, or “too much.”

🎭 Masking and the Pressure to Perform [8:30–10:30]

Being “twice as good” is real. We’re taught to be polite, articulate, composed, not too loud, not too emotional. But when you’re neurodivergent? That pressure turns into masking—pretending to be okay, pretending to care, pretending to focus.

I didn’t even know I was masking until I started learning what ADHD and autism actually look like in women and people of color.

🛠️ Healing, Grieving, and Rebuilding [10:30–13:00]

Getting diagnosed brought grief—grief for little me who thought she was broken. But also… relief. Suddenly, so many of my “quirks” made sense.

Now? I’m learning to build systems that work for me. I speak up more. I let go of shame. I’m starting to see my brain not as broken, but as uniquely wired—and honestly, kinda beautiful.

🌱 Final Thoughts & A Love Letter to Little Me (and You) [13:00–15:00]

If you’ve ever felt like everyone else had the manual for life and you missed that day—you are not alone.

Whether you’re diagnosed, undiagnosed, or just starting to ask questions… you are not broken. You’re not lazy. You’re not too much. You’re just wired differently—and that deserves care, not criticism.

Thanks for listening to my story. I’m sending love to the younger me who needed this message—and to the younger you, too.

🎥 Watch the Full Video

Title: You're Not Whitewashed—You're Neurodivergent | Undiagnosed Black Girl with ADHD + Autism Signs
👉 Click here to watch on YouTube

📌 Popular Tags

#ADHDawareness #BlackNeurodivergence #LateDiagnosisADHD
#MaskedAndMisunderstood #MentalHealthStorytime #YouAreNotAlone

🧠 Bonus Stats & Resources

  • Girls are underdiagnosed. Especially when they're quiet, sensitive, or high-performing in one subject.

  • Black children are often misread. Our struggles are seen as behavioral problems, not symptoms.

  • Masking is survival. But it takes a toll. Unmasking safely is part of the healing.

📣 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

💬 Drop a comment below:
Have you ever felt misunderstood in school, at church, or even at home?

💌 Share this post or video with someone who needs to hear it.

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