The term for the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD has changed multiple
times. In 1980, the term 'Attention Deficit Disorder' came
to be. It has changed slightly since then ' but the field
is relunctant to change it again because of how negative
that would be (it could impact the advocacy and legislation
that has been achieved through hard work...)
The question is: Are there really deficits?
Well, sometimes there are deficits. Like when people can't
pay attention.
But what about the ability to hyperfocus?
People with ADD are often gifted with the ability to pay
tremendous attention to things that are important to them.
They have have a singular attention span which is far
better than what 'non-ADDers' have ' if they use their
natural gift of hyperfocus.
To us ' this suggests a 'difference' in attention ' not a
'deficit'.
The term deficit itself refers to pathology and lack.
Differences refers to just that- differences.
Recognizing this difference is important as we advocate for
a change in the paradigm of ADD ' toward a strength based
diagnosis. One which focuses on the gifts and differences,
and not the lack and deficits.
It's our contention that each and every ADD brain has
genius in it. The definition of genius, as defined at
Dictionary.com includes: gen-ius: - an exceptional natural
capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and
original work in science, art, music, etc.: the genius of
Mozart. - natural ability or capacity; strong inclination:
a special genius for leadership. - distinctive character or
spirit By definition ' to be a genius ' one has to be
different from others.
People with ADD are different...
...and we contend that there is genius in each and every
one of them.
Now people who might take issue with this statement will
say that ADD affects people with different levels of
intelligence. So, there are some people with superior IQ
with ADD, and there are people with average IQ who have
ADD, and there are people with low IQ who have ADD.
Irrespective of the IQ level ' each person with ADD has
genius inside.
The ADD brain has tremendous capacity for these aspects of
genius:
- Being unique: People with ADD often 'march to the beat of
their own drum'. They bring a unique perspective due to the
fact that they are not 'programmed' to conform ' and their
ability to maintain their unique nature can lead to many
gifts throughout life (when it's nurtured appropriately)
- High levels of creativity: when the ADD mind receives
information ' it manipulates that information differently.
This leads to high levels of creativity.
- Insightful: When using information differently than
non-ADD people, ADD'ers develop significant and useful
insights
- Direct: people with ADD can be very direct, to the point
and on target. This can be 'too much' for people without
ADD to handle ' as they aren't used to information being
presented so directly and accurately
- Quick to act: While many people suffer from 'paralysis of
analysis', the ADD mind is quick to take action and
experiment ' hence the belief that geniuses like Edison had
ADD
- Can look at the same thing differently than others: As
alluded to above ' someone with ADD can look at the same
material as others and see very different things and draw
very different conculsions
- Interpersonally intuitive: The powers of observation of
those with ADD can be very strong, and their intuition
particularly powerful. This can be a challenge for others
who don't recognize this as a gift ' and it can be
perceived as a lack of 'tact'.
These traits, and many others ' lead to the gifts of ADD,
and the genius that's inside.
----------------------------------------------------
Dr. Kenny Handelman is a Psychiatrist who is a specialist
in ADD and ADHD. He is co-author with Dr. Edward Hallowell
of a FREE special report called: Find the Genius in ADD.
You can download your copy right now, by clicking here:
http://www.UnwrappingTheGiftofADD.com/findthegenius.php
No comments:
Post a Comment