5 ADHD Myths Parents Should Know About

Dearest readers (please pay attention 😅),

Welcome to my blog and today we will cover a few myths I'd like to clear up for you.  As a child and youth mental health nurse I hear different versions of these misconceptions regarding ADHD ALL THE TIME so if there's anything here that surprises you, you're not alone! There are many flawed understandings about ADHD but here are a few good starters to understand the facts.

And if you're still with me...Let's jump right in!

Myth #1. ADHD Means You Can't Focus or Pay Attention

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not really about an attention deficit.....it's more a deficit of CHOICE in when and what you are able to focus your attention to.

The ADHD neurodivergent brain regulates attention in a very different way than a neurotypical (developmentally normal) brain does. No matter how much a child might want to focus their attention on something it can often be beyond their control.

And there is a very real, physiological reason for this.  The dopamine reward system in an ADHD brain is compromised.  Which means that their brain is constantly seeking high stimulation/ high dopamine reward activities.  Your child doesn't get to decide what these activities will be.  So if the activity or task they are being asked to do doesn't set off the dopamine reward pathway in their brain it can be very difficult for their brains to then focus and follow it through.  

Statements I've heard often (from parents and professionals):

"His focus is a choice. He's easily able to focus on the thing's he likes."

"When I tell her to do something it's like I'm not even speaking"

"There is no way they could have made it this far in school (or life) if they had a problem with focus"

This is a crucial concept for parents and educators to understand. Parents think that because their kiddo is able to focus intently on the things they like (video games, leggo, etc.) there is no way a diagnosis of ADHD could be accurate for their child.   

Myth #2. If you just work on the skills you shouldn't need the pills!

Should every person with ADHD be on medication? No I don't believe that is the case.  

And as the ADHD brain continues to develop as children age they might be able to retain and use the skills they learn to help with their ADHD symptoms, but....they also often need the medication to actually be able to learn the skills in the first place.

If your child can't follow or focus on what the medical provider/therapist/coach is trying to teach them then how will they be able to learn the skills?...well they won't.

So often a combination of medication and skills therapy is the best option. 

Myth #3. ADHD is something you grow out of.

Not...exactly. 😎

Your child's ADHD brain will continue to get "upgrades" every year well into their 20s.  The prefrontal cortex that is involved in executive function will continue to develop.  And if hyperactivity is a symptom this will decrease into adulthood.

So really things do get easier.

But...there are a lot of reasons that things can get easier and it doesn't mean the ADHD is done and dusted. 

There are a million different ways to live your life as an adult, and we more or less get to choose our own path in that.  As adults we are wiser and smarter and know ourselves a lot better.  We know what our strengths are and what situations we struggle in. 

As children we don't have the same choices as adults. The world and school isn't catered to the challenges of ADHD.  In adulthood we choose our own fit and have learned different ways we can cope with any remaining brain deficits. We have a better idea of where we can be successful. The supports available and provided to us are more equal to the demands of our life, so the challenging symptoms don't seem as challenging as when we were kids.  

Myth #4. ADHD is overdiagnosed.

 I've heard different versions of this sentiment lately..especially online.

Last week a mother said to me, "Everyone's a little ADHD now." Statements like this greatly invalidate the experience of those with ADHD.

Let's unpack why it might seem like "everyone" is getting diagnosed with ADHD or why it may appear like there is a rise in ADHD cases. 

For starters people are simply aware of ADHD now!  There is more awareness of mental health conditions and less stigma surrounding them. Parents have greater access to mental health education. They feel less shame in thinking "maybe there is something that can make my child feel better and struggle less".

As is the normal course of history...there is improved research and better tools for practitioners in diagnosing ADHD and a huge increase in the amount of education on ADHD to the public.  Health care professionals are being educated on the developmental disorder and how to treat it.

DSM diagnostic criteria has also changed. There is more symptom recognition which is especially great news for those previously overlooked....
👉girls
👉women
👉minorities

So now yes....it's not only hyperactive boys jumping across desks in the classroom that are getting diagnosed. 🙌👌❤️

5. You can't have ADHD without hyperactivity.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the name so you would assume hyperactivity would be a requirement of this "disorder". 🫠

Nope, noppers, No-sir! It is often a symptom we see in children with ADHD but it is 100% not needed to be diagnosed.

Currently we have three recognized subtypes of ADHD.

1. Hyperactive Subtype- yes hyperactivity is present
2. Combined Subtype- this is where majority of cases fall into and those diagnosed will have both hyperactive and inattentive symptoms.
3. Inattentive Subtype- let's discuss below. 👇

The Inattentive subtype: 

Parents tell me they don't think it's ADHD because their child isn't all over the place and/or being disruptive. Children in the inattentive subtype can often slip through with their symptoms undetected. Their ADHD goes untreated but their struggles can be just as debilitating as other subtypes. 

Kids who fall into this subtype are often females and not hyper. They can be bright, anxious, day dreamy, emotional and/or disorganized.  Symptoms might also include: careless mistakes, difficulty with sustaining attention, don't seem to listen, losing things, easily distracted and forgetful in daily activities.   

The symptom list is long but the point remains that ADHD isn't always something that is obvious and once you've seen a kid with ADHD you've simply seen one kid with ADHD. It is still an underdiagnosed condition and the amount of ADHD within the population has not changed from a decade ago. Understanding what's happening in your child's brain and therefore how they are behaving is important and can sometimes be extremely tricky!

I'm so glad you found my blog and please stay tuned for more neurodivergent content. Follow me on instagram and join my email list for more helpful insights into ADHD in children and specifically how to navigate that as a parent.  

Download  Your Kid's ADHD Medication Journal for FREE and be on your way to a less stressful and quicker journey to finding the best fit for your kiddo.

_{This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Reading this article does not create a nurse-client relationship. Please always consult your healthcare provider for decisions regarding your child’s care.}