ADHD Awareness/Empowerment Month
October is ADHD Awareness (Empowerment) Month! In honor of that, I wanted to talk about some of the key strengths of ADHD. ADHD looks different for everyone who experiences it, but just as there are some key characteristics that are common challenges for folks with ADHD, there are also some key strengths associated with ADHD.
Creativity
Folks with ADHD tend to be very creative. Not just in terms of creative expression, but also in terms of creative problem-solving. Because ADHD is part of the neurodiversity umbrella, that means that folks with ADHD don’t look at problems with a neurotypical lens, meaning they can find alternative ways to solve problems. Also, folks with ADHD tend to have a lot of ideas, which can be keep themselves and others entertained and fulfilled. Folks with ADHD make for great artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Hyperfocus
ADHD is not just an inability to focus, it is an inability to control focus. Which means folks with ADHD can hyperfocus on tasks they find stimulating/interesting or tasks that they have the drive to complete. While this can be a challenge when it impacts time management and can interfere with some functions, there are also some real benefits. It means that projects can get done efficiently with close attention to detail.
Resiliency
Folks with ADHD have to overcome a lot, from struggling to focus on things neurotypical folks find easy to dealing with criticism from others (all while feeling things very deeply). Due to this, folks with ADHD acquire resiliency over time. Another facet of this, is that folks with ADHD are good under pressure. When situations are chaotic, the environment starts to match the internal world of folks with ADHD and provides the stimulation they need for motivation. Because of this, folks with ADHD thrive in jobs as nurses, first responders, teachers, etc.
Other strengths include humor, empathy, and advocacy. If you are someone you love has ADHD, consider what strengths you/they have, not just the limitations!
Read more about ADHD in the book ADHD 2.0 by Edward M Hallowell, M.D. and John J Ratey M.D.
Read more about ADHD strengths in these articles by ADDitude: The Benefits of ADHD and The Best Jobs for People with ADHD.
As always, take what is helpful and leave the rest. I hope you have the week you need.
