It’s estimated that 85% of the U.S. prison population would classify as AD/HD, and over 60% are regarded as Dyslexic. Regardless of the exactness of the figures, these are serious conditions not only in schools but in adult life. An intriguing perspective from several researchers, is that AD/HD symptoms actually derive from inattention. That inability to focus attention results in the common symptoms we call AD/HD. Most researchers and clinicians actually wish that the “HD” could be removed from the medical description because it is misleading to teachers, parents, children, and even psychologists. Some have called AD/HD a condition based on an “interest-based brain.” Whether this is an accurate description or not, let’s begin our AD/HD investigation with an introduction to this idea (certainly oversimplified in this 1-minute introduction.:
In contrast to the “interest-based” model, here is a classic description of AD/HD:
ADD – Attentional Deficit Disorder
AD/HD – Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
from WebMD.com: ADHD children show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity in specific ways. These children:
Are in constant motion- Squirm and fidget
- Do not seem to listen
- Have trouble playing quietly
- Often talk excessively
- Interrupt or intrude on others
- Are easily distracted
- Do not finish tasks
Dr. Russell A. Barkley is respected as a world leader in understanding and treating AD/HD. For more detailed and scientific descriptions of AD/HD, search for his many talks to psychologists on YouTube. Of course, he has many papers published in psychological journals. Here’s a 12-minute except from one of his talks where he focuses on three core elements that characterize AD/HD in both school students and adults: Inhibition, Impusivity, and Emotion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg6cfsnmqyg
How do Students & Adults EXPERIENCE AD/HD? How is LIVING with AD/HD?
AD/HD children grow into AD/HD adults; here’s the story of one. Join the three million people who watched Jessica McCabe’s 17-min 2017 TEDx Talk of her fight to understand herself from age 11 to 32, her failures, and the elements of her success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiwZQNYlGQI
High school freshman Anna Davide shares (and shows) what it feels like to be AD/HD in regular school and how it’s different in a school that respects cognitive differences. Anna is both gifted and AD/HD. You can see her inattentiveness pop us during her talk (6:30 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCaIRlPqT8w
In between childhood and adulthood, Carnegie Mellon Senior Stephen Tonti shares his 14-min AD/HD story with a wildly supportive TEDx audience. His message is one of strength-in-being-different, suggesting that schools may serve AD/HD kids better by regarding their cognition as different rather than deficient. He’s a good speaker, with over two million views! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU6o2_UFSEY
How is AD/HD Treated Medically?
Some medications successfully address the dopamine imbalance in some AD/HD children and adults. Ritalin is a commonly prescribed drug for children, and the prescriptions often change to Adderall in adulthood. Some AD/HD people need nearly daily medication, while others medicate either occasionally or not at all. But there’s now a “medically-prescribed VIDEO GAME!”
EndeavorRx is the first video-game based AD/HD therapy cleared by the FDA! Produced by AkiliInteractive, the prescription-only treatment is designed as an effective therapy to improve an AD/HD child’s attention without drugs (or with less reliance on them). Check out EndeavorRx’s website, read the testimonials and view a video. There are lots more videos on YouTube. You can download and play a demo of EndeavorRx from Apple’s App Store for iPad or iPhone. The theraputic elements are only available by medical prescription: https://www.endeavorrx.com/
- here’s a 1-minute preview of the EndeavorRx game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c0DDAaLjUM
- AkiliInteractive raised $150 million in May, 2021, to develop digital medications to treat additional childhood conditions: https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/video-game-based-therapeutic-developer-akili-interactive-scores-160-million
Is AD/HD a “superpower?” (No, but is it a treatable condition that’s not all bad.)
If as many as 10% of American students have ADHD, could there be some evolutionary reason why “ADHD genes” were preserved? Check out possible ADHD advantages (3:30-min video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2EVEYmeSqg
Check out these famous people with AD/HD from Simone Biles and Emma Watson to Walt Disney!: https://www.mentalup.co/blog/famous-people-and-celebrities-with-adhd