Written by: Samantha Woods, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Despite the overwhelming amount of research and scientific evidence available, ADHD is still a largely misunderstood condition.
When I shared with friends last weekend that my youngest 20-year-old son has been diagnosed with ADHD, I was met with looks of shock and confusion followed by a statement: "No way, not Aaron! He’s so calm, such a good kid, and I thought he was really smart, right?” I was shocked. After all, brains, learning, neurodiversity and ADHD have been my life’s work for the last 20 years. Sigh...I am quickly reminded that there is still so much work to be done in demystifying ADHD. As a seasoned educator and founder of a social enterprise focused on working with neurodiverse learners of all ages and their families, I face many opportunities to practice my ADHD debunking skills on statements like: “ADHD can’t be a real thing. It’s a choice to pay attention.”
“We were told my 40-year-old brother has ADHD, but let’s face it, it’s just an excuse for him not to try harder.”
People with a diagnosis of ADHD are still largely misunderstood.
Why do people misunderstand ADHD?
The term “ADHD” seems to be a misnomer. We know that ADHD isn’t a deficit of attention because people with ADHD pay excellent attention to the things they love to do and feel engaged with. We witness inattention when things become boring or when the brain has something more interesting to engage with. We also know that ADHD certainly is not a disease or purely a disorder. Perhaps we should consider renaming ADHD to a term more reflective of what it is. My vote would be EFDC - “Executive Function Deficiency Condition.”
What is ADHD?
"Individuals with ADHD do not have a disease, nor do they have a deficit of attention. In fact, what they have is an abundance of attention. The challenge is controlling it," Drs. Hallowell & Ratey.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder most frequently diagnosed in children. ADHD does not influence intelligence. There are biological differences in the structure and function of an ADHD brain, and more specifically, the parts that involve executive functions are underdeveloped.
For a developing ADHD brain, the prefrontal cortex, which houses the brain's “management system,” can be delayed up to 30%, resulting in challenges with self-regulation and balancing all that life throws their way. This can further result in anxiety, dysregulated behaviour and challenges in executive functioning skills, ultimately impeding their academic success. These challenges can continue into adulthood if not addressed early on.
How many people have ADHD?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and into adulthood. The overall prevalence of current adult ADHD is 4.4%. The estimated lifetime prevalence of ADHD in U.S. adults aged 18 to 44 is 8.1% and occurs in males more often than females. ADHD runs in families and is estimated to affect about one in 15 adolescents.
What do executive functioning skills have to do with ADHD?
Informed Futures from the University of Auckland identifies executive functions as “a crucial but overlooked factor for lifelong wellbeing.” Executive skills refer to the brain-based, cognitive processes that help us regulate our behaviour, make decisions and set and achieve goals. Executive functioning is the brain’s self-management system and can be compared to the conductor of an orchestra or an air traffic controller. We aren’t born with these skills intact, but the good news is we are born with the potential to develop them gradually, possibly leading well into the early adult years. For adults with ADHD, challenges with executive function skills can be inconsistent, pervasive and often inevitable. They might lose track of tasks, have trouble sticking to plans, get sidetracked easily, or struggle with organizing their time and materials. This can make learning, work, or just day-to-day life feel like clambering up a mountain. However, with the right treatment plan, ADHD can be effectively managed.
What can I do if I have or my child has ADHD?
The good news is that executive functioning skills can be taught, practiced, learned and coached over time. A comprehensive ADHD treatment plan typically includes four key components:
Ongoing self-awareness discovery through education about ADHD.
Executive functioning skills training to learn, practice and develop these essential skills with an experienced and qualified professional.
Medication considerations under the supervision of a medical expert.
Environmental supports (regular exercise, brain-healthy nutrition, environmental accommodations at work/ school).
In closing
If you work or learn with humans, it is essential to understand how their brains work. When and where do they thrive? When and where do they shut down? In the wrong working or learning environment, an ADHD brain can appear unmotivated, tired, bored and scattered.
One of my favourite quotes is, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better,” (Maya Angelou). When it comes to ADHD, we now know better. So, now it’s time to DO BETTER for our neurodiverse community.
To learn more about how to help a youngster with ADHD, visit Kaizen Education Services Resource Page
Have a child with ADHD? Join our parent support Facebook Group, Know Better, Do Better, Understanding ADHD Kids
Samantha Woods, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Utilizing her experiences and nerdy obsession with neuroscience, learning and the brain, Samantha has become a recognized and well-respected authority on ADHD & Executive Functioning Skills, the management system of the brain. Sam is a self-proclaimed Brain Nerd and has devoted the last 20 years of her career to exploring how the latest brain research can be applied to a student's learning and life success. She has dedicated her life to building Kaizen Education Services, a social enterprise dedicated to equipping educators and students with the essential knowledge and strategies to support with their executive function teaching & development.
