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Myths and Facts about ADHD

Myths and Facts about ADHD 
    Over time some people have said ADHD isn't real since some of the symptoms are seen in most people. People have beliefs(myths) about this disorder, so in this article I will state the myths and explain the actual facts about ADHD.  
Myth #1
ADHD isn't real, it's something they made up. 
Fact: While the name ADHD is made up replacing older terms like 'Clumsy Child Syndrome', 'Moral failing' and 'Minimal Brain Damage', the actual condition has been described in medical literature for over 100 years. In fact ADHD is one of the most well researched medical conditions and is now understood to be a serious neurodevelopmental disorder. So as research continues the labels and descriptions of ADHD may change, but it's not because it doesn't exist, it's because we are getting better at understanding it. 

Myth #2
Accommodations give kids an unfair advantage. 
Fact: The Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to address students' special needs. Accommodations like extra time on tests, simply level the playing field so that students with ADHD can learn alongside their classmates.

Myth #3
It's a lack of willpower, they are just not trying hard enough. 
Fact: You often hear people say things like well yesterday you focused on hobby X so why can't you focus on your task today however it's not as simple as that. Adults/Children with ADHD have problems with focus, organization, motivation, memory and other functions of the brain management system.

Myth #4
More boys than girls have ADHD. 
Fact: Often times most parents and even teachers say ADHD symptoms are associated with the behavioural pattern of boys than girls. Now this isn't completely true, more boys are diagnosed of ADHD early enough due to the outward symptoms of hyperactivity and the rest. The symptoms are noticed in girls as they get older and there is more emphasis on organization and working independently, this is due to the fact that most girls have the inattentive form of ADHD which is not associated with hyperactivity. The truth is there are cases in both boys and girls and not one having more than the other. 

Myth #5
ADHD is a result of bad parenting. 
Fact: ADHD is not a result of poor parenting, it is also not the common misconceptions of parents like "I let them watch too much television or they play too many video games or eat too much sugar". It is a real medical condition and it is a common one. 
Studies on ADHD in Nigeria showed a prevalence of 8.7% in the South west, ranges from 7.6% to 23.15% in South east of Nigeria. 

Myth #6
Kids can grow out of ADHD. 
Fact: Many people who haven't read into ADHD and have obviously never been to medical school believe that not only is ADHD not a medical condition but that it is simply a phase that a person can grow out of. The reality is that this condition can stick with you well into adulthood. In fact, despite there being an abundance of treatments like better structured environments and medications such as Ritalin, 70% of kids who have the disorder continue to have it when they reach adolescence, and 50% have it through adulthood. Many of the adults have even made their ADHD a merit instead of a flaw. As in many careers, having a lot of energy is actually an asset, just as long as it doesn't require you to focus on too many things at once. 

Myth #7
We are all a bit of ADHD. 
Fact: Some people say that we are all a bit of ADHD, it may be true that everyone has some symptoms of ADHD at some time but somebody who is diagnosed of ADHD will have these symptoms continuously, severely and will also have them for a long time. This makes it harder for them to function in life. 

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 20, 2020 at 10:15 AM

    Waoh,very educative and insightful. Until now I didn't know the name for such symptoms or that it is even a medical issue. Thanks for the information.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJuly 20, 2020 at 7:05 PM

    Highly informative, great job girl

    ReplyDelete

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