The ADHD Social Playbook ADHD Truths No One Talks About with Jessica McCabe [Part 1]
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Apr 21, 2026 
Jessica McCabe, creator of How to ADHD and author, talks about growing up feeling socially out-ranked and the toll of people-pleasing. They explore social masking, choosing activities that fit your real interests, and the hidden costs of maintaining friendships with an ADHD brain. The conversation is candid, relatable, and focused on the emotional experience of connection and repair.
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Growing Up Feeling Like Second Place In Friendship
- Jessica McCabe felt she was never a good friend and believed any friend who chose her was superior.
- She described childhood ranking of popularity and one best friend who outranked her, creating a lifelong pedestal dynamic.
Make Resources ADHD Friendly With Readable Design
- Design your social tools and resources to be ADHD-friendly with white space, readable font, and modular sections.
- Jessica insisted her book be legible and skimmable, preferring usable page layout over strict page limits.
Avoiding Playground Politics By Befriending Younger Kids And Adults
- Jessica remembered knowing her social ranking in fourth/fifth grade and gravitating to younger kids or adults to avoid playground dynamics.
- She described hanging with teachers at lunch and avoiding games she didn't understand, showing early social avoidance strategies.
