Windsor-born student draws views with Tiktok ‘neurodivergent’ account


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Windsor-raised Olivia Lutfallah says she didn’t start her TikTok account with the intention of attracting a large following: She just wanted to explain some things about attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

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But in three short months, the 20-year-old biology student has gained more than 130,000 followers and several of her videos have millions of views. She has more than 8.5 million likes.

“In all honesty, one day I realized I needed a hobby,” said Lutfallah from her current residence in London, Ont., where she’s studying at Western University.

“It was after I got off the phone with a friend who was asking me some stuff about ADHD. I thought, ‘A lot of people ask me about this. So maybe some information is needed on it.’”

Lutfallah’s posts typically describe an aspect of her personal experience with ADHD — often in skit form, as is TikTok fashion.

Olivia Lutfallah, 20, of Windsor, shows her setup for recording her popular TikTok videos about her personal experiences with ADHD. Photo courtesy of Olivia Lutfallah, June 28, 2022.
Olivia Lutfallah, 20, of Windsor, shows her setup for recording her popular TikTok videos about her personal experiences with ADHD. Photo courtesy of Olivia Lutfallah, June 28, 2022. Photo by Olivia Lutfallah /Windsor Star

For example, in one video, Lutfallah portrays herself having a conversation with a teacher (played by herself) who is ignorant about ADHD.

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“Having ADHD is kind of like needing glasses. You can’t tell if someone has vision problems just by looking at them. But their struggles are still very real,” Lutfallah remarks in the video.

Lutfallah was diagnosed with ADHD when she was in Grade 3. She credits medication for helping her manage her condition.

“I fall pretty severely in the spectrum,” Lutfallah said. “After being diagnosed, I was able to get the necessary tools and support. It’s been much better, but it has affected the vast majority of my life.”

Asked what’s the biggest misconception the general public has about ADHD, Lutfallah replied, laughing: “That it can be fixed by trying harder and eating less sugar. I still get comments like that.”

“There are people who don’t understand that it’s a developmental disorder, and it’s a difference in the way the brain functions.”

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Recognizing Lutfallah’s needs, the University of Western Ontario makes special accommodations for her such as isolating when she takes exams and providing her extra time for completion.

Olivia Lutfallah of Windsor in one of her posts on her ADHD-informative TikTok account.
Olivia Lutfallah of Windsor in one of her posts on her ADHD-informative TikTok account. Windsor Star

Also helpful to Lutfallah has been the burgeoning online community surrounding those who identify as “neurodivergent.”

“I didn’t hear the term ‘neurodivergent’ until about a year ago,” Lutfallah said. “It includes anyone with autism, ADHD, OCD — differently-brained people.”

“There are definitely online safe spaces being created, and there’s a lot more acceptance. It’s a great thing to see,” Lutfallah said. “I get a lot of messages just saying, ‘This video made me feel validated and seen.’”

Olivia Lutfallah of Windsor demonstrates use of her sensory swing. Photo courtesy of Olivia Lutfallah, June 28, 2022.
Olivia Lutfallah of Windsor demonstrates use of her sensory swing. Photo courtesy of Olivia Lutfallah, June 28, 2022. Photo by Olivia Lutfallah /Windsor Star

Mental health issues are such a hot topic on social media that Lutfallah already has a brand deal: In her videos, she demonstrates use of a ‘sensory swing’ by the company Savoiz.

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The item suspends its users from the ceiling in stretchy fabric, simultaneously providing deep pressure and vestibular input.

“It’s a tool that’s especially helpful for children,” Lutfallah said. “People with ADHD tend to struggle with either over-stimulation or under-stimulation. It’s kind of like a hug without the physical contact of another person.”

One of Lutfallah’s sensory swing videos is among her most viral posts, with more than 17 million views.

Olivia Lutfallah of Windsor demonstrates use of her sensory swing. Photo courtesy of Olivia Lutfallah, June 28, 2022.
Olivia Lutfallah of Windsor demonstrates use of her sensory swing. Photo courtesy of Olivia Lutfallah, June 28, 2022. Photo by Olivia Lutfallah /Windsor Star

Of course, social media isn’t always helpful. Lutfallah said she’s had to quickly learn to ignore trollish and toxic comments on the platform — from dismissive attitudes about ADHD to insults about her appearance.

“The best thing I’ve found to do is just ignore them,” Lutfallah said.

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She also has to be careful to manage how much time she invests on TikTok — keeping it a hobby rather than a compulsion.

Lutfallah admits that her parents initially had concerns that she would become “hyper-fixated” on TikTok and lose focus on her studies.

These days, Lutfallah uses a feature on the app to digitally restrict the time she spends TikTok-ing, and her parents have become fans of what she’s doing with the platform.

“They’re really interested in it. My parents watch my videos every day, and ask when there isn’t a new one posted,” Lutfallah said.

“My mom was my first follower. My first video got 60 likes and I was over-the-moon eager to tell my mom about it.”.

Find Lutfallah on TikTok via @olivialutfallah.

[email protected]

Olivia Lutfallah, 20, of Windsor, has become quite popular on the social media network TikTok with her videos on ADHD. The Western University student, shown June 30, 2022, has gained millions of likes in only three months since starting her channel. MIKE HENSEN/Postmedia Network
Olivia Lutfallah, 20, of Windsor, has become quite popular on the social media network TikTok with her videos on ADHD. The Western University student, shown June 30, 2022, has gained millions of likes in only three months since starting her channel. MIKE HENSEN/Postmedia Network Photo by Mike Hensen /Postmedia Network

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