ADHD Awareness & Education

3 Facts Everyone Should Know About ADHD 

It's #ADHDAwarenessMonth, so we thought we should share the top 3 basic facts we wished people understood about #ADHD, with help from an expert, Dr. Russell Barkley.  

1.  Yes, ADHD IS a legitimate Disability.  

Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.  

ADHD has nothing to do with having too much sugar, too much screen time, or not enough discipline.  Some ill-informed (or uneducated) people try to brush it off as "he just needs more exercise".  No.  An ADHD brain is wired differently from other brains, and a sugar-free, gluten-free, screen-free diet is never going to change that.  

    ADHD is a chronic (meaning life-long), developmental disability. 

Dr. Russell Barkley explains it better than we can 

(YouTube video below, or tap here on mobile): 

Note:  Dr. Russell Barkley has some very strong opinions on ADHD.  Being a psychiatrist, he focuses on the medical model, which can sometimes come across as quite pessimistic.  Please take what you need from the information he presents and leave the rest.  Dr. Barkley has such a wealth of information about ADHD, it's worth sitting through a few statements that you may find disagreeable.  

An ADHD brain is wired differently from other brains.
No sugar-free, gluten-free, screen-free diet is ever going to change that.  

2.  "Attention Deficit" is a misnomer 

    (in other words, it's a stupid name, and Dr. Russell Barkley agrees with me)

(YouTube video below, or tap here on mobile)

 

3.  ADHD is a disorder of regulation, and it is NOT a deficit in knowledge.  

ADHD is difficulty with emotional regulation, physical regulation, and attentional regulation.

(YouTube video below, or tap here on mobile): 

ADHD is an incredibly complex disorder that is too often oversimplified as "trouble sitting still" or "difficulty paying attention".  To learn more click here for a more in-depth blog post called 7 Ways ADHD is Misunderstood.  

ADHD impacts so many aspects of peoples' lives and the fact that ADHD is stigmatized and misunderstood makes life that much more difficult for those who have it.  

About the Author

Jillian is an ADHD 2e Coach and Child Advocate in Manitoba, Canada.

Jillian has a diploma in Child & Youth Work and a Degree in Psychology, as well as being the parent of an amazing 2e/ADHD child.

Visit ADHDPro.ca and Facebook.com/ADHD2ePro to learn more.

If you need help educating your child's school, your family, or with general ADHD coaching or advocacy, please feel free to contact us.