Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Women Through Assessment
by Dr. Hunter Leckonby
One of the areas I am most passionate about in my work is supporting neurodivergent women across the lifespan. For many of the women and girls I see, the process of undergoing neuropsychological testing is profoundly validating. Going through the process of testing is not about labeling what is “wrong” with them—it’s about illuminating how their brains work. Their brains simply work differently, and that difference deserves to be recognized and respected.
Part of the reason I am so passionate about this work is because I’ve walked this road myself. Living with ADHD, I have personally felt the frustration of negative self-talk and the weight of wondering why things seemed harder for me than for others. That experience has shaped not only my empathy, but also my belief in the power of testing and self-understanding. I know firsthand how transformative it can be to reframe struggles as differences, and to find strategies that allow us to thrive.
Why Many Women Feel Overlooked
For a long time, the unique ways neurodivergence shows up in women and girls went unnoticed. Conditions like ADHD or autism were often studied and diagnosed based on how they presented in boys, which meant that girls were frequently missed or misunderstood. Because of this, many women arrive at testing later in life—after years of feeling confused, self-critical, or even ashamed of their struggles. Oftentimes, they find themselves working much harder than peers without fully understanding why.
What I see is that these women are incredibly bright, capable, and creative. Yet despite their intelligence, they may struggle with executive functioning—the mental skills we use to plan, stay organized, manage time, and remember details. When these skills don’t come easily, it can leave a person feeling “stupid” or like they’re constantly working twice as hard just to keep up. Without answers, it’s easy to assume the problem is personal rather than neurological.
The Power of Testing
This is where testing can make such a meaningful difference. It provides an opportunity to demystify these challenges. Neuropsychological assessments give us a clear picture of someone’s unique strengths and challenges. By mapping out areas of cognitive strength and weakness, we can validate their lived experiences and give language to what they’ve been feeling for years. For example, a woman may discover that she has excellent problem-solving abilities but finds working memory or time management especially difficult. Suddenly, the struggles that felt like character flaws begin to make sense—they’re part of her brain’s natural profile, not evidence that she’s lazy or incapable.
I love being able to show clients both sides of the coin: here are the areas where your brain excels, and here are the areas that may feel harder and why. That clarity is often a huge relief. Many women leave feeling lighter, as though a weight has been lifted, because they finally have an explanation that validates what they’ve been experiencing for years.
Moving From Frustration to Self-Compassion
Understanding is only the first step. Once we have a picture of how someone’s brain works, we can talk about ways to support them moving forward. That might mean learning new strategies to help with organization, exploring accommodations in school or at work, or simply practicing more self-compassion when things feel overwhelming.
The goal is never to “fix” someone—it’s to help them live more comfortably and confidently as themselves.
Celebrating Different Brains
What excites me most about this work is seeing women and girls walk away with a new perspective on themselves. Instead of viewing their differences as shortcomings, they begin to see their strengths and embrace the fact that their brains just work differently.
That shift—from self-doubt to self-understanding—is incredibly powerful. And it’s why I remain so passionate about offering testing and support for neurodivergent women. Because when we recognize and celebrate these differences, we open the door for people to not only understand themselves better, but to thrive.
Key Takeaways: Supporting Neurodivergent Women
Different, not broken: Neurodivergence means brains work in unique ways—not that something is “wrong.”
Executive functioning matters: Skills like planning, organization, and memory can be harder for some, even when intelligence is high.
Testing provides clarity: Assessments highlight both strengths and challenges, helping struggles finally make sense.
Validation is powerful: Understanding that difficulties are real and explainable can lift years of self-doubt.
Support helps women thrive: With the right strategies and accommodations, women can approach life with more confidence and self-compassion.
Dr. Hunter Leckonby is a licensed clinical psychologist whose work is grounded in warmth, authenticity, and a deep respect for each client’s lived experience. Dr. Leckonby brings a neurodivergent-affirming, identity-affirming lens to both therapy and assessment. Her approach centers clients who may have felt misunderstood or unseen in traditional therapy settings—particularly those who’ve struggled to fit neurotypical or societal expectations. Her evaluations are compassionate, collaborative, and strengths-based, offering clarity around ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence.
