• 01 Jul, 2024
• Sonia Kabir

No, Not Every Kid Has ADHD These Days, it’s a Real Condition, Not a Trend

Diagnosing a child with any kind of neurodivergent condition is a lengthy, time-consuming, and cumbersome process. Questionnaires, milestones, family history, and report cards—it’s not a smooth ride. Yet, when I work with children, parents, and psychologists as a third-party interpreter, their first reaction often is disbelief that this is, in fact, a condition that needs to be addressed. Many worry not about understanding the diagnosis but rather, “Who else will know about this diagnosis?”

Neurodivergent children and adults have neurological development and functions that differ from what is considered typical or neurotypical. Neurodiversity encompasses various conditions, including autism, ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. ADHD, for instance, is often described as an interest-based nervous system. They are supremely skilled in things that give them a dopamine rush but poor in skills required to function in daily life. ADHD affects every single aspect of life, including work, relationships, health, and finances. If the condition is not managed, the chances of depression and anxiety skyrocket. Children with ADHD struggle in school, often masking their behaviour to look “normal.” They are frequently described with phrases like “smart but fails to apply himself,” “interrupts a lot,” or “doesn’t sit still.” ADHD may also come with many comorbidities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and lack of spatial awareness. 

The issue with ADHD largely revolves around executive dysfunction. Key aspects of executive dysfunction include struggles with planning and organization, time management, working memory (short-term memory required for following through on instructions, conversations, remembering details), attention and focus, self-regulation and emotional control, and the completion of boring tasks, projects, and administrative duties. Kids with ADHD often have problems managing emotions, impulses, and behaviour and can have intense emotional reactions to seemingly small disruptions. No wonder they are often called troublemakers and unruly. At the same time, many kids in gifted programs are neurodivergent. Contrary to the unfair name of the condition, ADHD is not a lack of focus; it’s too much focus on the wrong task. It means focusing on one topic so much that everything else blurs out, resulting in forgetting to eat, drink, use the washroom, and being unaware of how much time has elapsed.

As children, many of these tasks are supported by adults, teachers, and coaches. Deadlines are shorter, there are multiple reminders, and the consequences of actions are more immediate. However, when these kids grow up untreated, it often becomes difficult to manage even basic tasks like feeding oneself, maintaining hygiene, and housekeeping. Drowned in cyclical administrative and housekeeping tasks, these adults are burnt out, anxious, and often do not have a functional home or workspace. Debilitating anxiety and depression become imminent, and thus often adults get misdiagnosed even by seasoned healthcare professionals.

The need for addressing kids’ mental health challenges is more critical than we may realize. My hope is that one day, parents will not ask to hide their child’s diagnosis. Instead, they will seek accommodation, support, and understanding. There is so much shame and stigma related to the diagnosis that many parents deny their child’s condition, which is often genetic. They dismiss the diagnosis and urge their children not to be dramatic. “Everything is not ADHD,” they say, but in reality, it often is. In most cases, the quirky character traits are just ADHD symptoms. Even adults, when diagnosed, think they should address “bigger issues” in their lives instead of gaining a better understanding of their condition.

ADHD diagnoses may have risen in recent years, but the condition has been prevalent forever. This is not a new phenomenon; neurodivergent people have roamed and often led this planet since the age of hunter-gatherers. My hope for parents and adults is that they will keep an open mind and learn about the condition. When the driving factor is not shame and guilt but empathy and understanding, our children will thrive.

Embracing neurodiversity means recognizing and valuing the differences in how individuals think and process information. It involves creating environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive. This requires societal changes, such as inclusive educational practices, workplace accommodations, and broader acceptance of diverse ways of thinking. One of the significant challenges in embracing neurodiversity is overcoming the stigma associated with neurodivergent conditions. Many people still view these conditions through a deficit-based lens, focusing on what individuals cannot do rather than what they can do. By shifting the narrative to one that highlights strengths and capabilities, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive society.

Education and awareness are crucial in promoting understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent individuals. Schools, workplaces, and communities must be educated about neurodiversity to create supportive environments. Training for educators, employers, and community leaders can help them understand the unique needs and strengths of neurodivergent individuals and provide appropriate support.

Parents and caregivers also play a vital role in fostering hope and resilience in neurodivergent children. By advocating for their children, seeking appropriate interventions, and providing a supportive home environment, they can help their children develop self-confidence and reach their full potential.

Perhaps the next ADHD superstars such as Michael Phelps or Richard Branson are right among us. Maybe it’s our clumsy neighborhood kid or that jokestar niece, maybe one of us is that kid, who masked their whole life to fit into a society that was not built for neurodivergent minds. My hope is that one day, neurodivergent children and adults will be understood and accepted for who they are. That parents will seek support rather than hide diagnoses. That society will embrace the strengths and capabilities of neurodivergent individuals. With proper diagnosis, accommodation, and a supportive community, neurodivergent individuals can lead healthy, successful, and fulfilling lives. We owe it to our future generation, we owe it to ourselves.

Resources:

“Activate your ADHD Potential” by Brooke Schnittman

“ADHD 2.0” by Dr. Hallowell & Dr. John H. Ratey

“Healing ADD” by Dr. Daniel Amen

“Driven to Distraction” by Dr. Hallowell & Dr. John H. Ratey

“When an Adult You Love Has ADHD” by Dr. Russell Barkley

“Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder” by Dr. Gabor Mate