Comedian Abigoliah Schamaun on ADHD, identity and Neurodivergent Moments

Comedians and podcast hosts Joe Wells and Abigoliah Schamaun’s new book, Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How (Not) to Pack a Suitcase, explores neurodivergence through humour, storytelling and lived experience. In this Q&A with Cultural Dose Magazine, Schamaun discusses ADHD misconceptions, late diagnosis, comedy, and why the everyday realities of neurodivergent life matter just as much as the big identity questions.

What drew you to making Neurodivergent Moments as a book?

It was essentially Joe’s idea. We’ve been making Neurodivergent Moments (the podcast) since 2022. Our goal was to have guests on and take a light-hearted look at what it means to be neurodivergent through stories and conversations with them.

Joe suggested we do something similar in the book. Each chapter is based on a theme and, within that theme, we each tell a funny story from our own lives. A Moment, if you will. We thought it would be fun to focus on lived experiences to explore the minutiae of our differently wired brains.

Were there any misconceptions about ADHD or neurodivergence that you particularly wanted to challenge through the book?

I see a lot of chatter online about how most adults with ADHD were talented and gifted kids who got straight A’s all through school and are now suffering huge burnout and not living up to the standards they were able to achieve at school.

I understand how this is a lot of people’s lived experience, but it is not mine. At one point, I was in remedial classes because I couldn’t keep up. It’s something I don’t see talked about a lot, and I wanted to highlight that. Some of us are just average, and I think that’s OK.

I don’t know if it’s really a misconception that ADHD kids were all straight-A students, but I hear more about that angle than what I believe is the much wider experience. I was just a middle-of-the-road student doing her best. It was something important for me to talk about.

The essays deal with ordinary life as much as major identity questions. Why do you think the everyday details matter so much?

Because every day we experience neurodivergent moments. The big identity stuff happens once in a while. You get diagnosed once. But the identity is rooted in the lived experience. Hyperfocus, lack of focus, misplacing things - these are things I cope with every day. It’s what makes me know I’m ADHD. The diagnosis is just a piece of paper that lets other people know I’m ADHD. Misplacing my tampons because I accidentally put them in the fridge is how I know I’m ADHD.

How has understanding your own neurodivergence changed the way you see your past experiences, relationships or career?

When I was first diagnosed, I looked back and thought that if I had known earlier, maybe I’d be better at life now. It’s common for newly diagnosed adults to go through a mourning period of “what could have been”.

One time I mentioned this to my friend Angela Barnes and she said, “Yeah, but I think if I had known earlier, I might never have become a comedian. I might have stayed a nurse.” I think that’s a good thing to focus on.

I look back at my past and see how ADHD has affected my decision-making. Yes, I could have done things differently and made more neurotypical choices. But I think my impulsivity and need for constant change are what led me to move to London from New York. It’s one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made, and I have ADHD to thank for it. I’m a pretty happy person.

You and Joe have different neurodivergent experiences. Did those differences strengthen the book rather than divide it?

I believe that highlighting and talking about different experiences ALWAYS strengthens human perspective, whether it’s in this book or in life in general. The more we know and the more empathy we have for other people’s lived experiences, the stronger we are.

As a performer and writer, has neurodivergence influenced the way you create comedy or connect with audiences?

People ask me this a lot. The short answer is probably yes, but I don’t really know how, because I’ve never had any other brain than this one. It’s not like I caught ADHD later in life - I’ve always had it.

Also, most of my creative friends are neurodivergent in some way. It’s not like I know a lot of neurotypical comedians I can compare myself to.

What do you hope readers who are or aren’t neurodivergent take from reading Neurodivergent Moments?

I guess I hope they take away a different perspective and understanding of what it’s like to be neurodivergent. But most of all, I hope it makes them laugh. I hope this book gives everyone a good giggle.

Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How (Not) to Pack a Suitcase  will be released on 18 June 2026. The pre-order link is HERE.