Understanding ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often talked about in terms of its challenges: difficulty focusing, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. For children and young people, this can mean struggles in the classroom, trouble with organisation, and more frequent problems on the playground. However, what’s often overlooked is that ADHD doesn’t just come with challenges, it also comes with a unique set of strengths that can help children and young people in surprising ways.
ADHD affects attention, impulse control, and activity levels. It mainly impacts executive functioning, which is the management system of the brain. It’s estimated that around 5% of children have ADHD, and while it’s often seen as a barrier to learning, it’s really more about a different way of thinking and processing the world.
Unsung Strengths of ADHD
Let’s explore some of the strengths that often come with ADHD:
✅ Hyper-focused when Interested
While focus can be a challenge for children and young people with ADHD, when they’re passionate about something, they can enter a state of deep concentration and flow, often for really long periods of time.
✅ Willing to Take Risks
Children with ADHD are often more comfortable stepping outside of their comfort zone. This can lead to creative breakthroughs and a willingness to jump in to new opportunities.
✅ Spontaneous and Flexible
Rigid plans can feel restrictive for children and young people with ADHD, but their ability to think on their feet and adapt to new situations can be helpful when things don’t go as expected.
✅ Good in a Crisis
High-stress situations that make others freeze may illuminate the quick-thinking of children and young people with ADHD. The ability to make snap decisions can make them natural leaders in challenging situations.
✅ Creative Ideas
The ADHD brain tends to be wired for out-of-the-box thinking. Many children with ADHD come up with imaginative solutions and creative ideas that others might overlook.
✅ Relentless Energy
While this can be challenging in structured settings, that same energy can fuel sports, creativity, and social engagement. Having an outlet for their energy is important for children with ADHD.
✅ Often Optimistic
Children with ADHD often bounce back quickly from setbacks, maintaining a positive outlook and a “can-do” attitude even when things get tough. This resilience is so important in the modern day with the challenges that children and young people are having to face.
✅ Motivated by Short-Term Deadlines
Long-term projects may feel overwhelming, but a short-term challenge is often highly motivating for children and young people with ADHD. Think a sprint not a marathon.
✅ Eye for Detail
Although ADHD is linked to inattention, many children with ADHD are highly observant and able to notice patterns or details that others miss. They may prefer to look into the specifics and get into the nitty gritty of topics. This skill can be invaluable in art, science, and problem-solving.
Embracing the Strengths in the Environment
It is vital that staff and adults are willing to support children and young people with ADHD to reach their full potential and utilise their strengths and gifts. Recognising and nurturing these strengths can help children and young people with ADHD build confidence and find success in their own way. By shifting the narrative around ADHD from deficit-focused to embracing unique strengths, we can empower children and young people to see their brains as wonderfully wired for creativity, resilience and energy.
For more information on ADHD strengths – and neurodiversity generally – we have a training course aimed at adults in educational settings which introduces neurodiversity in schools. It also explores general and specific strategies to support those with neurodiverse needs (ADHD, ASC and ODD). It is written and delivered by Dr. Eleanor Tomlinson, an Educational Psychologist.
