This community exists for adults who live with both ADHD and a stammer; a group that is rarely recognised, rarely researched and often misunderstood. While each condition on its own is better known, the experience of having both is very different. Many of the symptoms and coping strategies associated with ADHD and stammering can directly conflict with one another, creating challenges that are not often acknowledged in research, clinical settings, or support communities.
 

blurts & blocks was founded in 2026 by Dr Claire Norman-Maillet, who lives with both ADHD and a stammer herself. She was diagnosed with a stammer aged 5 and later diagnosed with ADHD at 33. Recognising the lack of dedicated spaces for adults navigating both conditions, the goal of this website is simple: to create a place where people who share this experience can find understanding, connection and information that reflects their reality.

ADHD expert and psychologist Dr Edward Hallowell famously described ADHD in circa 2011 as "having a Ferrari engine for a brain with bicycle brakes". For those of us with both ADHD and a stammer, I would extend that metaphor: it is like having a Ferrari engine for a brain, bicycle brakes, plus a gearbox that keeps keeps intermittently jamming during speaking.
 

This, however, is more than just a platform; it is a canvas for lived experiences. We are a collective of adult voices finding harmony in the unique cadence of ADHD and stammering. By sharing our stories, we bridge the gap between isolation and understanding, building a sanctuary where every word, no matter how it is delivered, carries profound weight and value.