Shafniya Kanagaratnam

Age: 24
Occupation: Practical nursing student, Seneca College

WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING AND/OR WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL AMBITIONS?

I am studying Practical Nursing at Seneca College.

WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS, INTERESTS, AND HOBBIES?

My hobbies are crocheting, gardening, and photography. During my spare time I like to play with my dog and volunteer. I am passionate about youth mental health learning more about the possible impact late ADHD and other brain-based developmental disabilities diagnosis can have.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH BRAIN-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?

I was 22 years old when I was diagnosed with ADHD. It was difficult to navigate school and social settings without knowing why. Even after finding out, I started the realize the implication of late diagnosis such understanding accommodations and learning how to actively pick up social cues. Initially I viewed my ADHD experience from a medical point of view and over time I started to approach it from an intersectional framework. I realized how my race, gender and social class might have contributed to my late diagnosis.