Is ADHD Your Kid’s Superpower?
The 5 Surprising Benefits of ADHD
Thinking of ADHD as a superpower isn’t mainstream and something most people aren’t encouraged to do. It’s extremely difficult to think of ADHD traits as something positive because the name Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tells us there is a deficit of attention and that it’s a disorder, or a problem.
Thinking of ADHD in this way can do more harm than good. ADHD is a true diagnosis and one of the most common childhood “disorders.”1 Most people think of it as a problem to solve rather than traits you can learn to cultivate and use to your advantage.
It’s true that people with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can really suffer but if diagnosed and appropriately managed – kids can thrive.
October is ADHD Awareness month and today, we’re going to discuss five ways ADHD can benefit your child. This topic is inspired by a talk I had with Dr. Ned Hallowell, psychiatrist, ADHD expert, and author of ADHD 2.0 and Driven To Distraction. At the end of this blog, you’ll learn how you can access discussions like this for free.
5 Benefits of ADHD
Changing your perspective on ADHD can make living with it so much easier. Let’s take a look at the five benefits of ADHD. These are traits that many kids with ADHD have and – when cultivated and managed – they can use to their advantage.
They have lots of energy
Of course, when you think of high energy, the first thing you think of is the hyperactivity part of the ADHD diagnosis. While having a lot of energy can be exhausting for the parent, high-energy kids tend to be more engaged in:
- Play
- Exploring the world around them
- Physical activity
They aren’t just high energy, they are enthusiastic about life and learning new things.
Sometimes high energy can be disruptive but there are many aspects of life where high energy is a good thing. Today, most kids juggle school and a few extracurricular activities. As long as your child enjoys the activities, you probably notice they withstand busy schedules, sports and can easily switch from one activity to another.
Remember, high energy itself isn’t a bad thing. Teaching your child to channel their energy to focus on what they’re doing at the moment is important. Everyone is different but learning to channel the energy appropriately is a game changer for anyone with ADHD.
They’re persistent
For many kids, an ADHD diagnosis doesn’t come right away. It comes after a long period of challenges and frustrations. When a child goes without an ADHD diagnosis, there is no treatment or management skills to help them. Many kids have no choice but to persist when they have experienced failures, frustration, humiliation, and shame for not knowing how to focus their attention and energy.
If you’ve seen your child struggle with:
- Homework
- Taking tests
- Building and maintaining friendships
- Managing their time
- Conflict resolution
Then you know just how persistent they need to be!
Over time, as kids learn to manage the aspects of ADHD that they struggle with, they can be productive and reach all their goals. As they get older, their perseverance and persistence will take them far!
They’re resilient
Most ADHD kids go through life being forced to fit into family rules and a school system that just doesn’t work for them. This means they need to push through a way of life that doesn’t work for them, becoming very resilient. Since they face unique challenges and encounter difficult situations more often, they learn to bounce back.
There are many adults that grow up, needing to cultivate emotional resilience but kids with ADHD learn this early on. In one study, 59% of parents perceive their children with ADHD as resilient.1
This is because many kids with ADHD will experience:
- Academic setbacks
- Difficulty handling the pressure and stress of school
- Difficult peer interactions
- Bullying
- Difficulty with team sports and competition
As a parent, supporting them through these difficult times and helping them navigate these difficult situations will increase their resilience even more.
They can be laser focussed
You might be thinking, my kid with ADHD cannot focus on anything. Think about something your child really loves to do. When they do that one thing, are they easily distracted or can they sit and focus?
Most parents find that kids with ADHD can focus on something as long as it’s something they love. Kids with ADHD who channel their energy into things they enjoy and are passionate about can actually become hyper-focused on certain activities.
Helping your child channel their energy into activities and hobbies they love and enjoy can help them excel in what they’re interested in. This can be great for the subjects in school they enjoy and when it’s time for college and to find a job. If they’re doing something they love they can usually focus for a long time.
They’re spontaneous
Many kids with ADHD are fun-loving, free-spirited, and spontaneous! This can be a really good quality to have. It means they are willing to try new things and have new experiences. These kids aren’t going to be held back by fear which can help cultivate bravery and courage. Being spontaneous can also encourage them to be creative and innovative with new ideas.
Being willing to try something new and take calculated risks can help them in their friendships, in college, and even in the workforce. Many people with ADHD grow up to be change-makers and entrepreneurs.
Changing Your Perspective About ADHD
If anyone knows how much of a struggle ADHD can be, it’s me. But I also know how changing your perspective can help while you’re figuring out what works for your child and family.
My daughter really struggled with ADHD symptoms – going from screaming in frustration while doing homework to being able to complete it on her own (or asking for help appropriately). She went from struggling to focus to significantly improving her focus and ability.
It wasn’t easy to see the benefits of ADHD in the beginning when we were really struggling.
For us, neurofeedback was a great tool to help us change our perspective and help my daughter with:
- Enhanced learning capacity
- Enhanced ability to relax
- Focus and mental acuity
- Improved concentration and problem-solving
- Self-esteem
- Emotional reactivity
- Social resilience
When your child has ADHD it’s important to read and educate yourself as much as possible. When I talked with Dr. Ned Hallowell last year in my Facebook group he stressed the importance of knowing all the resources available and the different methods of managing ADHD.
Everyone with ADHD is different and will require different tools to manage it. Once you find the tools your family needs changing your perspective and learning the benefits of ADHD is so much easier. You’ll be able to see how their traits can benefit them as they go through life.
If you’re looking to have access to expert interviews like the one I had with Dr. Hallowell, join my Facebook group, Neurofeedback Moms (Dads are welcome too!)
Here you can learn about how neurofeedback can help kids with ADHD. You’ll also have access to:
- Live sessions with experts in the therapeutic, neurofeedback, and parenting fields
- Research-based information to help you make the best decisions for your family
- A community of other parents going through similar things you are
- Lifetime access to all live recordings– watch at your convenience!
Join Neurofeedback Moms today, we’re excited to connect with you inside of the group!
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