ADHD – deficiency or superpower?
Attention please! October is here and it is ADHD awareness month! ADHD refers to Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it results from the development of the brain and this leads to ADHD traits or behaviours. Unfortunately, this name does not reflect the growing movement towards neurodiversity, which reframes “disorders” as “differences”.
When we label something a “disorder”, there is an implied negative connotation and a departure from “normal”. However, neurodiversity recognises that whilst many people might be “neurotypical”, a huge percentage of the population are “neurodiverse”, meaning they develop, think, behave or are abled differently. Neurodiversity celebrates differences and varying abilities and moves away from prejudice and towards compassion.
Individuals with ADHD can be uniquely skilled in bringing their energy and hyper-focus to their work or interests. They are often creative, with minds which are active, imaginative and busy. Such attributes can lead to innovation and thinking outside the box. Of course, with such assets, come challenges too. For example, staying on task or managing time are areas a person with ADHD often needs strategies for. With the right support from schools, colleagues, families and friends, people work towards managing the impact of their ADHD and lead fulfilling lives.
Many inspirational people have shared their own stories of stigmatisation and success as they live with ADHD.
ADHD has served as a superpower for musicians such as Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters fame, Justin Timberlake, Adam Levine of Maroon5 and will.I.am to name a few. Olympians Michael Phelps and Simone Biles too share a diagnosis and success in common. Phelps shares “I had a teacher tell me that I would never amount to anything and I would never be successful.” However, he has more than proved them wrong and smashed through the stigma: “It’s something that I’m thankful happened, and I’m thankful that I am how I am. I look at myself every day and I’m so proud and so happy of who I am and who I was able to become.”
Top tips:
A ADHD awareness month’s website offers videos from experts about reframing ADHD here
D Dani Donovan creates excellent ADHD comics here and is an active advocate on social media
H Help children learn more about ADHD with one of these recommended reads here
D Discuss neurodiversity when you can and advocate for a kinder concept of difference. Thank you for your attention!
Amy
Written by Amy Partington, Educational Researcher at Be Kind Movement.