Remember when you would go to the neighborhood park and head straight for the merry-go-round? Maybe you and friends or siblings took turns pushing/spinning and riding. For many of us there was quite a bit of enjoyment in those first 2-3 minutes of going in circles, afterwhile though, we were ready to get off. Dizziness, loss of balance, distorted vision, and even fatigue would set in and we grappled with these effects during and after the ride. ADHD can feel like an endless circle—–regardless how fast or slow time is moving, we experience momentary joys that are often followed by overwhelm, fatigue and feeling stuck. With the 70-80% likelihood of a co-occurring mental health condition developing, our circles evolves into bubbles—those spaces and places where we stagnantly exist within limitations on our capacity to think clearly, effectively make decisions, appropriately spend our time, achieve reasonable, obtainable goals, and responsibly manage finances and relationships.
Today’s conversation will discuss and examine some of the most common co-occurring conditions that express alongside ADHD. While more than one developmental disorder is possible (i.e., Autism Spectrum Disorder, Specific Learning Disabilities, Twice Exceptional (2E), etc.), the presence of mood and thought disruption can be indicative of another layer of chronic symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, trauma,) or symptoms that are biologically/genetic in nature (i.e. bipolar, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, etc.). Research supports how across the lifeline, mental health conditions (both biological and situational/environmental) present and fluctuate in intensity, impact, and circumstances depending on contextual and intersectional factors. A brief, but deep exploration into these factors, will transition our conversation to next week’s sequel: Part 2 entails a discussion on interventions and strategies for deciphering the symptoms and their origin, and effectively treating these conditions. This talk is designed to help participants (you) sort through their personal mental health experiences to determine what other conditions are manifesting and the best approaches to resolving them. Treatment Options (treatment options: CBT, ACT, DBT, CPT, EMDR, PE, etc.) and adaptive approaches such as: Multi-dimensional functioning (Mind, Body, Soul, Spirit); Coping Skills Inventory; Buy-in (Values and Strengths-based instruments and approaches); Executive Function Skill enhancement (Time management, Emotion Regulation, Consequential-Decision-Making, Task -Management); and Post-traumatic growth will be reviewed to foster hope and self-agency.
Learning Objectives:
- Acknowledging diagnoses in which neurodiversity characteristics are prominent in presentation to comprehend impact on daily living and potential trajectories especially at critical stages of development
- Yielding Consideration of Contextual Factors, Intersecting sub-identities, and the immersion of co-occurring conditions
- Pursue and prescribing treatment that is culturally-relevant, authentically value-based, non-stigmatizing, family/community-inclusive, resource-connected
When: Wednesday, Jan 21st, 2026 at 7:30 pm ET
Where: From the comfort of your own home
Who: Dr. Brandi “Brandora” Walker
Biography
Dr. Walker, licensed clinical/research psychologist, Howard University and University of Maryland alumna, is the CEO of Marie Pauline Consulting, LLC, her private practice and V.O.I.C.E for Neurodiversity, a research-based nonprofit pursuing access to care for persons/communities encountering systemic and societal obstacles. She is a cultural humility/cultural competence educator/trainer, and organizational consultant on mental wellness and strategic planning. Dr. Walker is a Howard University and University of Maryland, alumna and a recently retired Army commissioned officer. She actively conducts research on children with ADHD, their family, and various other variables. She recently started V.O.I.C.E for Neurodiversity, a research-based nonprofit pursuing access to care and Quality of Life for persons/communities encountering systemic and societal obstacles
Find Dr. Walker’s Website Here: voiceforneurodiversity.org
