Facts and Myths about ADHD

FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT ADHD

Children who take ADHD medication are more likely to abuse drugs when they become teenagers.

"ADHD is a result of bad parenting"

Myth

How much do you really know?

Myth

Fact

According to the National Resource Center on ADHD, there's no strong evidence showing that bad parenting causes ADHD.

Children and teenagers who have ADHD and also have coexisting conditions may be at high risk for drug and alcohol abuse, regardless of the medication used.

ADHD symptoms can be confused with rebellious or bad behavior, so it's not uncommon to try to blame the parents for a child's conduct.

ADHD is...

Myth

"Children outgrow ADHD"

Parents of children with ADHD deserve understanding, support, and flowers.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• a Complex Process to Diagnose

• a Common, Non-Discriminatory Disorder

• Real

• NOBODY'S FAULT

Fact

By developing their strengths, structuring their environment, and using medication when needed, children with ADHD can grow up to be adults leading very productive lives.

"Hyper people have ADHD"

Some well know adults with ADHD are...

• Michael Phelps
• Will Smith
• Adam Levine
• Solange Knowles
• Britney Spears

Fact

Not every person who has a high energy level has ADHD. In fact some children who have the disorder, act the opposite way of hyper.

Adults with ADHD contribute greatly to our society.

Myth

"ADHD is not a real medical condition"

ADHD affects only boys

"Life isn't about being the best, with or without ADHD. It's about meeting challenges, and doing the best job you can. ADHD comes with certain strengths and weaknesses that have made me who I am, and I wouldn't trade that for anything."

My doctor diagnosed me with ADHD in my early teens. What was really helpful to me was learning that this was a real medical condition – I had ADHD. ~Adam Levine

Fact

~ Cammi Granato : US Women's Hockey Team Olymic Golf Medalist 1998 ~

ADHD is recognized by the National Institute of Health, the US Department of Education, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatric Association.

Girls are just as likely to have ADHD as boys. Boys are more likely to be initially identified as having ADHD because their symptoms are more notable.

When a child with ADHD doesn't stay in his seat or blurts out answers, it’s simply because he cannot control his impulses. The problem is bio-chemical in nature, NOT discipline.

espn.go.com

Rebecca Tetrick : Spring 2014

ADHD Aware. (n.d.). ADHD Mythbusters* ». Retrieved May 1, 2014, from http://www.adhdaware.org/understanding-adhd/adhd-mythbusters/

ADHD Quiz: Facts About Childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (n.d.).WebMD. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/rm-quiz-truth-childhood-adhd

Bilich, K. (n.d.). 10 ADD/ADHD Myths. Parents Magazine. Retrieved April 20, 2014, from http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/health/add/10-addadhd-myths/?page=2

Famous People with ADHD - ADD Adult. (n.d.). ADD Adult. Retrieved April 20, 2014, from http://www.addadult.com/add-education-center/famous-people-with-adhd/

7 Facts You Need To Know About ADHD. (n.d.). Global ADHD Awareness Month October 2013 RSS. Retrieved March 20, 2014, from http://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/adhd-facts/

7 Myths About ADHD... Debunked!. (1998). ADDitude Magazine. Retrieved March 20, 2014, from http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/873.html