Dr. Samantha Hiew

Founder of ADHD Girls, Neurodiversity & ADHD Keynote Speaker, Award Winning Social Entrepreneur, Scientist, Storyteller, Women Empowerment &  Intersectionality Champion

Videos by Samantha Hiew

Sam's neurodiversity keynote talks bridges the empathy gap
to create an anticipatory welcome and foster a sense of belonging for neurodivergents in the  workplace.

Following Sam's neurodiversity training:  

  • 92% of her audience said they’re encouraged to champion intersectional  neurodivergents
  • 86% said it showed them how to spark positive conversations and actions  in their own sphere of influence
  • 88% said they’re keen to become an ally or sponsor to intersectional  neurodivergents

Keynote by Samantha Hiew

Neurodiversity & Integration: Bridging Two Worlds 

No two brains are the same. But what if you were born with a brain that  constantly makes you feel like everything you do differentiates you from everyone else?

Sam’s Neurodiversity & Integration talk: 

  • Introduces Neurodiversity in the context of society
  • Casts light on misconceptions of neurodiversity and illustrates our  neurodiverse experiences of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome
  • How our neurodiverse experiences impact the workplace and one’s quality  of life
  • Provides actionable insights to build a neuroinclusive and compassionate  culture, promoting psychological safety
  • Sparks positive conversations and actions in the workplace

This training was rated 5 out of 5, with the following feedback “Samantha  was fantastic… I could have listened to her for another hour. Lots of  comments and questions from the audience too”.

Keynote by Samantha Hiew

Humanising Neurodiversity at Work

In understanding the neurodiversity movement, have we stopped to  understand the human side of neurodiversity?

How the place we begun from and where we are in life impact how our neurodiverse experiences show up at  work?

Sam’s Humanising Neurodiversity talk:

  • Introduces Neurodiversity alongside Intersectionality
  • Illustrates how our neurodiverse experiences differ among intersecting  identities and impact how we show up in life and work
  • Provides insights into lived experiences of intersecting identities
  • Shares actionable recommendations to fast-track your competency in  supporting neurodivergent colleagues and harnessing the strengths of a  neurodiverse workforce
  • Catalyses positive actions and conversations at work

This training was given 5-star reviews by past clients. 

Keynote by Samantha Hiew

Female Neurodiversity at Work

The sharp rise in ADHD and autism diagnoses in women over the last two years is seeing more of our female colleagues looking for answers and what areas they can get support in.

Sam’s Female Neurodiversity keynote:

  • Begins with Sam’s story that led to creating ADHD Girls and working to fulfil her dual mission to empower women and girls with ADHD to thrive  in society
  • Illustrates the diversity in our female neurodiverse (ADHD & Autism) at  different life stages
  • Provides acute insights into our female neurodiverse experiences that  need more understanding and what good support looks like in the  workplace
  • Shows how intersectionality can put up barriers to diagnosis and how we  can overcome this
  • Provides recommendations of focus areas to champion female  Neurodivergents at work, build a compassionate culture
  • Sparks positive conversations at work.

This training has been described as “the most insightful and powerful  session I’ve attended in the industry”.

Keynote by Samantha Hiew

ADHD & Autism Workplace Adjustments and  Wellbeing 

High achieving autistic and ADHDers have one thing in common, their careers are powered by their special interests and ability to channel their  natural abilities to their work. The 140-200% productivity levels of AuDHDers  can power teams to great success but often lends themselves to burnout.

Sam’s ADHD & Autism Workplace Adjustments & Wellbeing keynote:

  • Provides deep insight into the strengths and challenges or ADHDers and  autistics in the context of the workplace
  • Explains the principles of an Autistic and ADHDer’s interest-based nervous  system
  • Introduces the ADHD Owner’s Manual, the principles that are necessary for  ADHDers to get in the zone and harness their strengths
  • Demystifies reasonable adjustments at work, and what needs-based  support looks like
  • Emphasises the importance of taking time to nurture our wellbeing to  sustain productivity and performance
  • Shares holistic, neurodivergent-friendly strategies to manage stress and  maintain happy and healthy lives

This training has been described as "the best learning experience of my  life”. 

More keynote topics can be found in our Speaker Pack.

Samantha’s Neurodiversity “Deep  Dive” Trainings

Neurodiversity & Leadership Training Workshops 

Sam runs half day workshops to dive deep into Neurodiversity & Leadership,  introducing neurodiversity at work and provides practical strategies,  resources, and tools to lead, relate to, and support neurodivergents that  models and promotes psychological safety.  


The modules are bespoke and get to the heart of solving the double empathy problem, through effective communication and understanding  individual experiences. Sam shares the tools to determine and harness the  strengths of neurodivergents and enable them to channel their natural  abilities. This training elucidates the best practices and common pitfalls in  leading a neurodiverse team and what tailored reasonable adjustments at  work look like. Our insights are built on the foundation of lived experience research and events-based learning from our ADHD Best Practice at Work conference and panels. 

More details can be found in Sam’s training brochure

Samantha’s Neurodiversity “Deep  Dive” Trainings

ADHD & Autism in the Workplace: Tools to Thrive   

Sam provides a holistic ADHD & Autism management programme for Autistic  and ADHDers in the workplace to promote a better understanding of their  strengths and challenges, so they can learn how to succeed at work through  managing their ADHD and working as a team. We also dive deep into pre and post-diagnostic support, sharing tips, resources, and tools to enhance neurodivergent's wellbeing via a holistic look at medication, nutrition,  lifestyle, and support systems.  


This programme includes the ADHD Owner’s Manual workbook, 100  reasonable adjustments for ADHD at work and is suitable for  neurodivergents with ADHD and autism looking for support within employee  resource groups. 

About Samantha Hiew

Dr Samantha Hiew is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur with a knack  for telling stories that enlighten, empower, connect and heal. With a background in communications and medical science PhD, she specialises in  demystifying ADHD & neurodiversity. 

Sam's work bridges two worlds - those with lived experiences of  neurodivergence & those who don't - so we work towards integration within  society.  

Sam founded ADHD Girls before she was diagnosed with ADHD at the age  of 40, and has since identified as an autistic, dyspraxic, and Touretter.  To fulfil her wider advocacy mission, Sam delivers talks around “Science of  ADHD” to the general public and “Girls and Women with ADHD” to schools,  colleges and universities to catalyse a change in minds and hearts, renewing  understanding of what life as a neurodivergent truly look like. 

With Sam's own insights from living on the cusps of two cultures, ethnicity  and class, balancing motherhood and career, working across 16 different  sectors, she champions equitable opportunities for female neurodivergents  and intersecting identities at work. 

Sam's work has been recognised with a Difference Maker Award, alongside  nominations for Positive Role Model for Disability, Storyteller, Rising Star,  Stereotype Buster and Community Choice awards.

Clients Samantha have worked with

Social media & videos interviews exploring the intersection of neurodiversity and culture, race, and being a high achiever

Speaking in action

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"From the first moment of contact with Sam I was struck by her commitment, passion and professionalism. Sam wanted context, she wanted to talk to our members and find out what they wanted and needed other people to know about their experiences - and what needed to change and why. Sam really cares, and wanted to make the talk we asked her to give as relevant, impactful and powerful as possible. Which she did."

Ed Dupree, Neurodiversity Support, Co-Lead
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"Dr Samantha Hiew supported our business in a speaking event on neurodiversity in the workplace last week. This is a topic earmarked as part of our I&D agenda and to assist the education and awareness of our management team, in support of our people. Wow! What an eye-opening and inspiring piece that has got many a conversation going - exactly what we'd hoped for. Thank you Dr Hiew for sharing your thoughts, recommendations and a truly thought provoking lived experience that many of us can identify with. Definitely recommend!"

Caroline Simoes, Human Resources Director
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"Sam’s talk was incredibly powerful and I believe many attendees got a lot out of it. It was part of a half-day event and many of the points Sam raised in her presentation were brought up in the remainder of the sessions. She was an engaging and inspiring speaker, who expertly wove her lived experience and professional experience into her presentation in a way that added depth and complexity. She discussed the intersections of co-occurring conditions, gender, race, socio-economic privilege and neurodivergence. She provided practical steps and advice around next steps in intersectional neurodivergence. She used great examples to highlight how cultural background, gender, sexuality etc. could impact how neurodivergence would present and why this was a particular issue in terms of diagnosis. Sam's talk was thorough and pitched at an appropriate level."

Pk Kulasegram, EDI Manager
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"I had the pleasure of working with Samantha on a recent webinar around Neurodiversity and ADHD. Sam led the webinar and the feedback we have received from attendees has been phenomenal. Sam was engaging and knowledgeable and her passion for the subject came through. She had both myself and the rest of the audience completely invested for the whole webinar - for me personally, it was one of the best learning experiences of my career so far. I would highly recommend Sam - so much so, we are planning webinar number 2! Thank you Sam!"

Kulbir Kaur, Partnerships Manager
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"I am more than thankful that Samantha gave a talk about Neurodiversity & the Family Lifecycle for our Parents Month May 2022. Sam gave really helpful insights into all the different stages neurodiverse families go through and practical ideas on how to support neurodivergents. It was a really inspiring, eye-opening and comforting talk owed to Sam's very positive and calm attitude of presenting a complex topic. Thanks for creating such a wonderful experience for our colleagues, Sam. You brought this topic so close to people's hearts and raised awareness in such a great way."

Hannah Lang, Diversity & Inclusion, SAP
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"I FEEL SEEN" was the consistent theme of the feedback from employees after Sam's chat on Neurodiversity and misconceptions and best practices in the workplace.
Sam's talks are so informative and rich in context. In just 1 hour she will fast track your learning on this topic. She dives deep into the science and brain differences whilst also covering intersectionality and gender equity. She is also very relatable sharing personal stories and bringing to life how neurodivergent people experience in the world which makes the audience feel really seen and heard.
She inspired the audience to share their own experiences too which created a great sense of community and buzz but most importantly momentum around advocacy.
We love your work Sam!

Rosie Frost, Co-Lead of LogiNeuro, Logitech’s Employee Resource Group:
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Sam delivered a powerful presentation to an audience of over 400 employees on the subject of neurodiversity as well as sharing her own moving story. Her passion for championing positive action in neurodiversity combined with her extraordinary authenticity and confidence to share her vulnerabilities is formidable. I have never heard our auditorium fall so quiet as she spoke, nor a round of applause so loud when she finished.

Ben Higgins, Managing Director of UK Head of Human Resources at Societe Generale:
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Press & features

Woman’s Own: The Rise in ADHD in Adults
Dr Samantha Hiew’s ADHD story is featured on Woman’s Own Magazine. If you’re looking for some support, check out…
Staring Back At Me Campaign
This campaign is initiated and funded by Takeda. ADHD is a neurodevelopment condition that can cause differences in the way we think,…
Female Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Sam shared her personal journey of late diagnosis of neurodivergence and her professional insights into what is necessary to…
Forbes: ADHD Crisis in the UK: Underdiagnosed, Lacking Support and Stigmatized
Dr Nancy Doyle wrote a Forbes feature about the current landscape of ADHD diagnosis and support in the UK….
Utopia, knowledge and support platform for neurodivergents is launched
26th September 2022 – Utopia, a new knowledge and support platform for neurodivergents by ADHD Girls Ltd, has launched….
September 26, 2022
ADHD Girls earned Double Nominations at the 2022 Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards
ADHD Girls was nominated for Stereotype Buster and Community Choice Awards at the 2022 Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards (hosted by…
March 24, 2022
Grazia: Why does it take so long for women like me to be diagnosed with ADHD?
Bonnie McLaren interviewed us for this feature piece in Grazia. Here are some excerpts of ADHD Girls within the…
April 14, 2022
Dr Samantha Hiew was shortlisted for the Storyteller Award
Sam was shortlisted for the Storyteller Award, a new category within This Can Happen Awards. The winners will be announced on the 14th June at the Allen & Overy LLP offices. 
April 21st 2023
Dr Samantha Hiew was nominated for National Diversity Awards!
Sam was nominated for the Positive Role Model Award for Disability for her work championing women with ADHD and demystifying neurodiversity within society. 

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