Here is a fascinating concept that has finally been put into a context where I finally feel comfortable talking about ADHD as a step in the evolutionary progress of man.  It’s not that this is new to me, but rather there is a connection to a real investigation versus someone making wild claims without being able to provide any support or evidence to suggest there might be truth to it.

What Am I Talking About?

Could ADHD have been an evolutionary trait that kept humans alive at one point?  Were the traits of ADHD that we now find so unacceptable actually responsible for keeping us alive and alert?

This article presents an interesting argument from the results of a research study conducted by Dan Eisenberg of Northwestern University.  I’ll spare the details for now, but basically the researchers observed a tribe in Africa where half have settled into an agricultural system and the other half remains more nomadic (hunter-gatherers).

For anyone interested in this topic, I would strongly suggest reading the article in it’s entirety.  It’s just fascinating to think that ADHD-like behaviors were once likely responsible for our success to stay alive while roaming the plains, hunting for food.  It’s just amazing to think about ADHD having some “nobler” purpose than how many of us in the public understand it today.

What if ADHD actually were positive versus all the people who see it is a negative or want to blame someone with ADHD for being too lazy?  Could that change anything for you?  Would that change the public perspective of how ADHD could be adaptive in the right environment?  Under the right conditions?

After all, humans flourish under “ideal conditions” and maybe not all of us are intended to punch a clock, sit in a cubicle, and follow the rules set forth by modern America.

What Do You Think?

We’d love to hear from you. Go ahead and give us your thoughts in the comments below.

PS – Have you gotten your ADHD Essentials Audio Kit yet? Sign Up Today, it’s FREE

For some people, having the diagnosis of ADHD can be incredibly important.  I’ve heard people say it offers a nice explanation for what is going on in life.  And yet for others, the diagnosis or label is nothing more than a way of keeping someone inside the box.

For me, I have no use for labels.  But I certainly do focus on understanding our differences.

Check out this short clip to see what I mean:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZqRT5O4u-Q

PS – If you’d like to receive information like this directly to your inbox, please sign up for our weekly published newsletter.

Sign-up today, and get a Free Report and a complimentary subscription to our “Symptom Free” Ezine.

PPS – You can also subscribe to have these posts delivered directly to your inbox.

This past Tuesday morning, I caught the tail end of a great feature story on NBC’s Today Show.  Apparently, they were talking about “wonder” kids or child prodigies.  But that’s not what caught my attention.

I couldn’t help but be drawn in when their “child expert” was asked, “What happens when these children are not identified?”

Her response:

They get bored and they act out.  These children can find school to be boring!

Really, I thought to myself? Does that sound familiar?

Hmmm…. Children who are bored act out and get in trouble. Is this only for gifted children?

Here’s the advice she offered parents of other “gifted” students:

• Be a forceful advocate for your child so they are stimulated and reach their potential.
• Find mentors for your child in their area of expertise (aka, what they are most passionate or gifted about).

The individual girl they profiled, and what really sparked my attention for the story, was a 13-year-old girl who is already in college.  She is part of a scientific research team and is being groomed for medical school.

13 years old — being groomed for medical school.

Seriously?

So, what’s the connection with ADHD?

Here is a child who is being thrust in to a world that is way beyond where she is and / or should be developmentally.  I think it’s GREAT that she has found such great success.

But I wanted to point out that no one was insulting her or trying to keep her back.  No one was talking about the difficulty she might face in social situations because of her age difference.  No one was talking about how this advanced career path could hurt her in the future.

And that’s a very good thing.  She deserves to hear the positives in what she can accomplish.
Bottom Line?

Children who are different need to be challenged, and they need to be mentored.  It is our job as parents, mentors, educators, and adults to make sure they get what they need!

PS – If you’d like to receive information like this directly to your inbox, please sign up for our weekly published newsletter.

Sign-up today, and get a Free Report and a complimentary subscription to our “Symptom Free” Ezine.

PPS – You can also subscribe to have these posts delivered directly to your inbox.

In the “aftermath” of ADHD Awareness Week, I can’t help but be truly inspired by the resources and services specifically established and targeted for children and adults whose lives are affected by ADHD.

My reaction: People with ADHD Have It Made

Now…this might be a little bit extreme, but quite honestly, I want your attention.   I want to change how you see the world around you.

When I first became active in the ADHD community, I did it because I saw my clients and their families without resources.  They were searching high and low and couldn’t find anything.

But you know what?  It was already out there…

Maybe I wasn’t open to it.  Maybe I didn’t get as involved as I could have from the get go… But that’s NOT the point.

What I want to share with you today are some observations from ADHD Awareness Week.  These are the observations that led me to say:

People With ADHD Have It Made!

Let me show you why:

I don’t know that I have ever seen such carefully targeted and relevant information available to an identified group of people as much as there is for a person or family affected by ADHD.

That’s right!

There are people out there in your community who are so devoted to making a difference.  They are devoted to changing lives…  And for most of them…  It’s NOT about the money.

And I bring this up, because yes…  There are services available for everyone.  And everyone in life struggles.  But I think it’s fair to say that most people are perceived to be out to make a buck or two…

But if you look at the ADHD community-the visible people who are really out there-they do it out of love and passion.

During ADHD Awareness Week and the ADHD Awareness Marathon, my colleagues put together some unbelievable programs on topics including:

• Organization
• Relationships
• Parenting
• Workplace
• And so much more…

Who else receives this level of care and attention? For the most part, people are walking around doing what they think they should be…  We aren’t taught how to have relationships or how to be organized.

At least I never was…  And it’s not enough to just learn some of these by observation.  For people who’s minds are different – we need tactics, tips, tools, and strategies.

In some ways…  we need short cuts!

That’s it!  I just wanted to share a reaction I had.  It might be an incomplete thought…  It might rub you the wrong way…  But when (not if) you are open to it – you will see there are opportunities for change and for improvement in quality of life when you commit to it!

PS – If you’d like to receive information like this directly to your inbox, please sign up for our weekly published newsletter.

Sign-up today, and get a Free Report and a complimentary subscription to our “Symptom Free” Ezine.

PPS – You can also subscribe to have these posts delivered directly to your inbox.

It’s time for me to set the record straight.  I am often asked, “Do you have ADHD?”  All my life I have said no, and for good reason…no one told me I did.  Or at least I was listening to them…  Yea, maybe that’s it!

Now it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room.

All my life I have been dodging labels…  And for a good portion of my life, I have been fighting the label associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  In fact, during my recent ADHD Strategy Series , I professed that I did not have ADHD.

So what is it then?

I’ve known my whole life that I have been different.  I know that I do things differently, and I tend to upset some people along the way.  I don’t really follow the rules…but I don’t blatantly break them either.  You might say I create my own set of rules¹.  That’s never been a problem for me, and it’s never caused a problem in my life (at least to any degree that I cared).

I’ve been called “gruff” and “forthright,” but for all the people I apparently upset, there are many who like knowing where they stand with me.  You’ll never have to worry about that with me.

To truly have ADHD, according to the DSM-IV, symptoms need to cause “significant impairment” in life.

That’s where I have a problem with ADHD.

Has it interfered with my life?  Nope!  I have never been fired…  Never had detention in school…  Never missed appointments…  And was never a behavioral problem…

I have very rewarding relationships and enjoy life for the most part.  Does that mean I don’t have my fair share of struggles?  Not at all!

In fact, as a child, I was identified as gifted and talented.  I was given every opportunity to succeed, and people even embraced my differences.

Hmm…  Could that have helped me?

According to a lot of people I respect, including many of my colleagues in the ADHD community, I do in fact have ADHD.  And if that’s the case, I’m in good company.  Many of the people I respect the most in this world, have ADHD.  So I take it as a compliment.

Tomorrow: I’ll continue unraveling this thread a little bit further…

1. Author and investor, Robert T. Kiyosaki, shares in one of his books that to be truly successful in life, you must create your own rules.

PS – If you’d like to receive information like this directly to your inbox, please sign up for our weekly published newsletter.

Sign-up today, and get a Free Report and a complimentary subscription to our “Symptom Free” Ezine.

PPS – You can also subscribe to have these posts delivered directly to your inbox.