ADHD, a disability or not?
This was previously posted on pixlz.com which is the home of my reckons. To find out more about how I empower neurodivergent professionals to thrive at work visit http://21cmindset.com.
There is a longer post percolating about disability, disorder, the medical model, the social model and lots more.
Something which comes up on a fairly regular basis is the question of disability or not when talking about ADHD. People have really different ways of thinking about and describing their experience of ADHD.
I have opinions but I am a firm believer in people being able to describe their own experience and not being policed for that. I personally find the superpower narrative a little difficult because the people who mainly talk in that way have some privilege which I am sure goes some way to mitigating some of the challenges of ADHD for them. However if that motivates them it can only be a good thing for them.
The one term I do believe should not be used to describe someone is neurodiverse. One person can not be diverse. A condition is not neurodiverse. It seems to be a common mistake and I wonder if people see it as being a nicer term i.e. they think diverse = good, divergent = bad. If you are talking about a person or people and not including the neuromajority or neurotypical please use neurodivergent. I recently had an interaction on LinkedIN with some people about this including Sonnyjane who wrote the book we’re all neurodiverse. — added 2/2/2015
I ran a poll on Twitter. From 22 responses 7 people said “my ADHD disables me”, 2 people said “modern life disables me” and 13 people said “a bit of both”. I did not get any comments or other options.
According to this very small sample size, 90% of respondents consider themselves disabled by ADHD to some extent.This suggests that for many, ADHD presents significant challenges that impact their daily lives. The feeling of being disabled by ADHD can also be influenced by external factors, such as societal expectations and the lack of accommodations in educational or professional settings.
The perception of ADHD as a disability rather than just a difference highlights the need for increased awareness and support. While some individuals with ADHD may find ways to harness their unique cognitive traits as strengths, others may struggle without adequate resources and understanding from those around them. This result underscores the importance of recognizing ADHD as a condition that can significantly affect one’s quality of life. It also points to the necessity for tailored interventions and accommodations that can help individuals with ADHD navigate their environments more effectively, thereby reducing the disabling impact of the disorder.
In my experience having regular interactions with other people with ADHD is very beneficial as whilst everyone has different challenges and strengths, people can empathise with each other. Another very successful intervention is ongoing coaching. Reflecting on challenges and successes can be very beneficial.
Here is a great post about the Social Model of Disability shared by IYKYK
If you would like to discuss the possibilities of coaching please feel free to book a 30 minute discovery call to find out more.
Originally published at http://pixlz.com on January 19, 2025.
