What is ADHD/Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

By Nicole Locher

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children and adults. It is genetically based and can pass down from parent to child. While ADHD will show up differently in each person, these are the most common symptoms:

Daydreaming a lot
Forgetting or losing things
Squirming or fidgeting
talking too much
Making careless mistakes or taking unnecessary risks
Having a hard time resisting temptation
Having trouble taking turns
Having difficulty getting along with others

ADHD Can Be a Strength

With the proper diagnosis, treatment and support, ADHD can be a strength. People with ADHD tend to be creative thinkers and can actually be “hyper focused” on subjects that hold their interest. This can result in developing a high level of expertise in a particular subject and lead to successful careers for individuals with ADHD. Famous people with ADHD include Albert Einstein, Agatha Christie, Bill Gates and Whoopi Goldberg, to name a few.

What Can Parents Do?

Talk with your doctor and your school if you see symptoms of ADHD and to coordinate a proper evaluation and diagnosis done by either psychologists, neuropsychologists, or developmental pediatricians. These professionals will then come up with a treatment plan that could include pharmacological interventions (medication), and/or behavioral interventions, which provide children with strategies to manage their symptoms at home and school. You also will need to work with your child’s school to ensure that they get the accommodations and support services they need through a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Additional Resources