[ADHD] Not a Disorder, It’s a Superpower

While ADHD officially stands for ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ there’s a growing number of people that have begun to see this condition as a superpower rather than a disorder…

“It’s not a disorder, it’s simply a difference in how our brains are wired,” says actor, Stephen Tonti.

This sentiment is echoed in fellow-ADHD dad, celeb vlogger, and Amazing Race Winner, Penn Holderness’ song parody, Under The Sea.

And in her inspiring TedTalk, Chemist, Nikki Amani put it this way:

“If you or your child have ADHD, you’ve been genetically designed to be successful!”

Indeed, far from being a dreaded disorder, some researchers have questioned whether ADHD is in fact an evolutionary advantage.

Having discovered that genetic variations that cause ADHD-like traits are more common in the world’s nomadic peoples, these researchers believe that it’s these very traits that may have been an advantage to our nomadic ancestors.

So what is ADHD?

There are three main categories of ADHD:

1. Inattentiveness (a tendency to zone out or daydream, and/or a seeming inability to focus)
2. Hyperactivity (a tendency to fidget all the time and not be able to sit still)
3. A combination of both

Most people with ADHD also share some of the following traits:

• A measure of impulsivity
• Excessive talking (verbal impulsivity)
• Restlessness
• Forgetfulness
• Distractibility
• Poor organisational skills
• Risk-taking
• Lack of attention to detail

While there are some obvious drawbacks to these traits, especially for desk-bound ADHD kids or adults, there are also some under-appreciated advantages…

ADHD’s unexpected advantages

“It’s not simply a lack of focus, it’s that I have a hard time selecting something and giving it my full attention,” says Stephen Tonti. “Something has to grab my attention, pique my curiosity, and then, I can hyperfocus.”

While those with ADHD may have a hard time completing things that don’t interest them, the upside is, that when something does spark their curiosity, they can focus on it, and excel in it, as few others can.

That’s perhaps why some people with ADHD have gone on to radically achieve in their field of focus.

People like Olympic athletes like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps; singers like Adam Levine and Justin Timberlake; and leaders like John F Kennedy.

Other out-the-box thinkers who exhibited classic ADHD traits include Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Salvidor Dali, and Winston Churchill.

“People with ADHD tend to be excellent problem solvers,” says Nikki Amani.

“They love experiencing new things, and they’re not afraid to take risks – which is why so many business leaders and successful entrepreneurs have ADHD.”

In our next article in this series, we’ll look at various ways parents can help their kids with ADHD to flourish instead of flounder, but for now – let’s take a moment to appreciate that ‘different’ isn’t something to dread but instead, something to cherish.

As Robin Williams, another great ADHD champion once said, “We are all only given a little spark of madness. We mustn’t lose it.”

Mums have you or any of your children been diagnosed with ADHD?

Comment below to let us know about your experience x

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*Please Note: If you think you or your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speak to a GP.  If you’re worried about your child, it may help to speak to their teachers, before seeing a GP, to find out if they have any concerns.  Many avenues of treatment exist that can help ease symptoms.  Your doctor or therapist can help to find the best approach for managing ADHD.