Living with ADHD/ADD (ADD)

Your child’s future success depends on confidence and the ability to manage life’s daily tasks. Loss of self-confidence is a key issue with children with ADD & ADHD as they struggle to focus on simple tasks in comparison to others. Once they are able to see that there is a solution and have the support of their family and therapist they are able to manage their school, home, and social lives with greater ease. 

Only through educating everyone involved in your child’s life, you can help your child/youth with their daily struggles and reduce misconceptions and the stigma surrounding ADD & ADHD. Allowing individuals with the condition to receive the support and understanding they need, promotes a strengths-based perspective that acknowledges the unique abilities and talents of individuals with ADD & ADHD and combats stigma.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and its modern counterpart, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), can have negative stigma associated with them. Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes, and prejudices that society holds toward certain conditions or individuals with those conditions. Stigma can lead to discrimination, misunderstanding, and mistreatment of people with ADD/ADHD.

Stigma can have negative effects on individuals with ADHD, leading to reduced self-esteem, feelings of shame, reluctance to seek help or treatment, and barriers to academic or career success. It is crucial to raise awareness and promote understanding of ADHD as a legitimate neurodevelopmental disorder that can significantly impact a person’s life.

Here are some common misconceptions and stigmas associated with ADD/ADHD:

• Belief that it’s not a real disorder: Some people may view ADD/ADHD as a made-up condition or an excuse for poor behavior, lack of discipline, or laziness.

• Labeling as a character flaw: People with ADD/ADHD may be labeled as “lazy,” “irresponsible,” or “unmotivated” due to difficulties with attention, organization, and impulsivity.

• Overemphasis on hyperactivity: The hyperactivity aspect of ADHD can lead to stereotypes that all individuals with the condition are always hyperactive and unable to focus, overlooking the inattentive subtype of ADHD.

• Blaming parents: There may be a tendency to blame parents for a child’s ADHD, assuming it is the result of poor parenting or lack of discipline.

• Misunderstanding medication: Some people may criticise the use of medication to treat ADHD, believing it to be unnecessary or harmful. Not everyone may require medication depending on where on the spectrum they end up being diagnosed or assessed. Some may only need to be on the medication for a short period of time. Each case is unique. 

• Underestimating the impact: The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD, such as academic difficulties, social struggles, and emotional regulation, may be underestimated or overlooked.