First Generation Programming Services
Welcome back, First Gens! For many of us, anxiety is something we have just come to deal with. It seems to be something that is always there and pressuring us to feel like we need to get it right. However, what if anxiety is just the way we’ve learned to cope with ADHD? This is exactly what happened to me!
This week, I am chatting with Dr. Janice Castro, a psychologist and host of the Latine ADHD Podcast. In this episode, we talk about life as an adult with ADHD, the cultural stigmas and receiving a diagnosis later on in life. Check out this episode for all things ADHD as a First Gen!
Dr. Janice Castro
During our talk, Dr. Janice shared with us her story of growing up as the daughter of Peruvian immigrants and identifying as a first-generation, bicultural Latina. Dr. Janice also shares how U.S. culture shaped her understanding of identity, belonging, and mental health within immigrant families. This led Dr. Janice to earning her PhD in counseling psychology and now specializing in supporting Latine adults with ADHD.
For this episode, I got vulnerable about my journey with ADHD, especially since I wasn’t diagnosed until my 30s. After years of thinking it was just anxiety, I started to think something else might be coming up for me. To explain further, I experienced difficulty finishing tasks, I always felt like I had a million mental tabs open and was very forgetful.
Dr. Janice explained that my experience is actually very common, especially for Latinas. Unfortunately, ADHD has historically been studied through the lens of young white boys, leaving many women, particularly women of color, overlooked or misdiagnosed. Cultural messages like “échale ganas” or “no seas floja” may lead first-gen Latinas to keep their struggles to themselves and categorize them as personal failures rather than neurological differences. We want all first gens know that they are not alone in their journey.
ADHD as a First Gen
Another interesting conversation that we explore is how ADHD affects our relationship with money. I share about how I realized that my impulsive spending, difficulty budgeting, and avoidance around finances weren’t discipline issues, but a result of undiagnosed ADHD. Learning about the “ADHD tax” helped me reframe my relationship with money and ultimately led me to become a financial social worker, bridging mental health and financial wellness.
With this conversation, we invite you to think of a new way to define ourselves, without attributing it all to ADHD. We invite you to prioritize rest, support, self-compassion, and asking for help. Remember, there is nothing wrong with being neurodivergent. With awareness, community, and culturally responsive support, ADHD can be a powerful part of who you are. If you need additional support, here is how you can stay connected with Dr. Janice Castro:
Subscribe to her newsletter for mental health + ADHD-friendly tools. Includes a free worksheet to spot + challenge the ADHD avoidance pattern.:https://www.drjanicecastro.
And if you’re an adult looking for a therapist who understands ADHD and cultura, she’s currently accepting new clients for online therapy in California.
Contact her at contact@
The First Gen Madrina
The First Gen Madrina is built on three interconnected branches designed to support first-generation students and professionals in wellbeing, wealth, and community:
Madrina Money focuses on financial wellness through a first-gen lens. This branch supports individuals in unpacking money stories, building sustainable wealth, and gaining the confidence and tools needed to make empowered financial decisions without shame or judgment.
Madrina Network is dedicated to supporting social work students and professionals. Through resources, coaching, community, and conversations beyond traditional paths, this branch helps social workers navigate burnout, career growth, and non-traditional opportunities while staying aligned with their values.
Madrina Speaks centers on storytelling, speaking, and education. Through workshops, keynotes, panels, and the podcast, this branch creates space for honest conversations about first-generation experiences, identity, money, and purpose helping individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Together, these branches reflect the heart of The First Gen Madrina: breaking cycles, building confidence, and supporting first-gens as they step into lives of intention, impact, and abundance.
Check out http://thefirstgenmadrina.com for more information!
