Walks Like A Duck: How a Mom with ADHD Led Her Neurodiverse Family to Peace of Mind

Summary

When her son's teacher suggests the boy be tested for ADHD, Kim Livingston, uninformed and wary of the label, fights her. She fights the social worker, the doctor. "We can call it whatever you like," the doctor says. "But if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, they're all going to know he's a duck."

This English professor grew up spacey and overweight. Drowning in the unrealistic demands of motherhood, Livingston steals her son's ADHD medication and watches it transform her life—for good and bad.

She grows weary of subjective diagnoses and chemical treatments from traditional psychology experts, and experiments with functional medicine—brain mapping and nutritional supplements—as a way to understand her brain's potential, bio-hacking her way to a healthy body and mind.

Kim Livingston's story is for the overextended, out-of-shape parent embarrassed over their messy house, or worried whether to medicate their children; and for teachers who seek insight into the mind of that quiet back-row student. It includes frustration, denial, some bold decisions—moments many listeners will recognize in their own lives.