Yellowknife woman says ADHD and autism diagnosis at 34 led her to happier life

CBC

06-02-2025

A Yellowknife woman says being diagnosed with ADHD and autism at the age of 34 has helped her understand herself and has led her toward a happier life.
Evangeline Kapotaon, who was born in Ulukhaktuk, N.W.T., but who grew up in foster care in Yellowknife, said that she always knew she was different.
"I'm always thinking, I'm always go go go. Like my brain never shuts off, it's always so chaotic," she said in an interview with Hilary Bird, host of CBC's The Trailbreaker. "I always felt like the odd one out because nothing made sense to me, I would process things a lot slower."
It took hitting "emotional rock bottom" last fall for Kapotaon to find a therapist. After filling out a series of quizzes, Kapotaon said that therapist diagnosed her with ADHD and level 1 autism.
It was an emotional moment.
"Everything made sense. It was an overwhelming feeling of, I finally feel understood and I finally feel seen, and I finally feel like I can breathe," she said. "It made me understand myself."
That understanding, said Kapotaon, has helped her recognize what she needs – for example, an hour to herself every morning – to be a better mom, friend, and colleague.
"Being able to understand my emotions helps me teach my kids [to] understand their emotions and regulate their emotions, because I never had that growing up."
Kapotaon said she's happier than she was before, and she's sharing her story now in hopes of helping others.
"I'm able to process all of this because I have my basic needs met," said Kapotaon, acknowledging things like food and shelter – and the way she's been able to access tools that have helped her along the way.