Michael Phelps, Michelle Rodriguez, and Richard Branson have all spoken of their own ADHD and how they’ve leveraged it for success in their various fields. Historians believe Einstein, Disney, and Kennedy would have been identified as ADHD or ‘differently-abled’ in their day.
ADHD Minds are Adaptive Minds
With proper management ADHD is not a disorder at all, and can bean advantage. New research finds that increased impulsivity, fluctuating attention spans and other symptoms of ADHD can combine to produce hugely successful individuals—though only under very specific circumstances.
The good news? These circumstances can be cultivated.”I wish people would think of it less as a disorder and more as a type of person” explains Mick Schoenradt, MBA, LCAC who has personal and professional experience with ADHD. This view of ADHD as a ‘type of person’ allows us to move past any stigma associated with a ‘disorder’, and have a practical discussion about solutions. Like many of his peers, he hopes to dispel the notion that ADHD limits one’s potential in life when it is properly addressed. A key to success for those with ADHD seems to be strategic, practical discussion.
“A Superpower”
When explaining ADHD to children, Carmen Bergman speaks in terms of superpowers. Carmen is a social worker who also has personal experience with the ‘hyperfocus‘ associated with ADHD. Carmen works with individuals in their times of crisis–a common line of work for dopamine-dependent professionals with ADHD. This ‘super power’ allows her to take in more information when talking an individual down from their personal crisis, and makes her a more effective clinician.
When working with children with ADHD, Carmen is quick to note that (like most superpowers) ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. Carmen has a special interest in multipotentiality–the desire to take on several projects at once. Carmen warns, “It is easy to get so caught up in a project that you lose several hours at a time and accidentally neglect other parts of your life”. She believes ADHD can be an asset, but stresses that it is a double-edged sword…a weapon that requires training to be used effectively.
A “Hurricane in the Classroom”
“With ADHD you’re curious. You can think big without getting weighed down by the details.” To help explain Carmen’s experiences with ADHD, we reached out to Rebecca Fleetwood Hession, a corporate trainer and public speaker whose son has ADHD. Like Carmen, Rebecca stresses the importance of open conversation around ADHD:
“It may still be frustrating, but open discussion eliminates the most harmful side-effect: shame. Shame is the dream-killer for those who learn differently. When these individuals lackthe confidence to pursue their own life goals, society as a whole loses out on vast resources of innovation and advancement. Modern industry desperately needs more risk-taking and adventurous minds like these, so it is essential that we learn to help and encourage these individuals.”
Rebecca explains the three differing perceptions of ADHD. Some people believe it isn’t real. Many have a ‘fixer’ response, searching for a ‘cure’ for their loved one. As Rebecca explains in her TEDx talk, ADHD is not wrong, just different. When we acknowledge this we encourage the creativity, ingenuity, and sheer brilliance of these individuals. This third perspective is the only productive one, as it allows us to be objective and simply make rational decisions and appropriate accommodations.
Those with ADHD may struggle in the workforce. Rebecca believes this is because “We tend to like people who are ‘even-keeled’ and well-rounded. They are more predictable. An ADHD person may be really advanced in one area and not at all in another”. She explains that flexibility is often key for these individuals to thrive, this is why they make talented entrepreneurs and free-thinkers. “The key is to be surrounded by the people whose talents complement any deficits.”
How to Harness ‘Hyperfocus’
Dr. Pingnan Shi’s classroom is hurricane-proof. After taking control of his own mental health early in his career, Dr. Ping realized the limitations presented by one’s mindset–but also the vast potentials. His classroom is designed to accommodate and encourage individuality.
“A colleague of mine allowed one of our students to take his test while simply standing. It helped this student tremendously. In my classroom, students are free to move around–even use fidget spinners–as long as they aren’t disrupting the learning of their peers. Its amazing how a few minor accommodations can go so far!”
Dr. Ping believes that entrepreneurship has the fortunate side-effect of maximizing one’s mental health. Today, his classroom focuses on teaching critical thinking, technology, math, and science. His hope is that these skills will allow his pupils to ‘free themselves from the assembly-line’ and pursue their own goals on their own terms. We asked Dr. Ping’s opinion on stimulant medication for ADHD:
“I think it is over prescribed. Mostly it is done for the school’s benefit, not for the students’. A medicated student may be less trouble for the teacher at the cost of the student’s optimal learning experience and overall performance. I hope there are more independent studies done on this subject, and believe we rely on medications too much. Today’s kids watch too many videos and games. Like all things in life, focus and attention-span can be improved through training and practice…in the proper setting.”
Non-Medicinal Management
Aaron Garner has ADHD and has learned to harness it to his advantage. He was diagnosed as a child when his teachers found him disruptive in the classroom. “I tried Ritalin” reports Aaron, “but it left me very quiet–even antisocial. I’m lucky to have had parents who respected my request to quit the medication”.
Aaron has since learned to manage his ADHD symptoms (and maintain his social skills) by introducing minor changes to his everyday life. Aaron has become a respected professional in the field of marketing and is now the CEO and Co-Founder of his own company, averaging 10-12 hours of productivity each day. We asked Aaron about the secret to his success:
“Routine and a strict schedule is my secret. First, I shoot for 8 hours of sleep. Next is diet–while I’m flexible at dinnertime, I have the same breakfast and lunch everyday. My meals are centered around the foods my brain seems to function best on. My goal is to find the dietary ‘sweet-spot’ between mental clarity and overall productivity.”
After breakfast, Aaron tidies up. He eliminates anything in his work environment that isn’t necessary in order to reduce the likelihood of being distracted. He works out on his recumbent bike while studying, then begins his daily work. Aaron began speaking up about his own ADHD when he realized “the stigma associated with disorders can only be addressed when successful people open up about how they have learned to cope”.
“Gifted”
Christine specializes in working with gifted populations, which often have co-occuring special needs (eg-ADHD). As a parent and professional she has ample experience working with these individuals. Christine’s perspective is a unique one.
Christine embraces the mindset “Advocate, don’t alienate”. She hopes to create opportunity in the lives of the gifted–with all their complexities–and help them create meaningful lives for themselves. Christine recommends finding the people and places where unique intelligence and giftedness is valued, appreciated and understood. Inspired by Paula Prober’s “Rainforest Minds“, Christine began a support group for the emotional problems which can arise from giftedness. By meeting and discussing our experiences, we can learn to make the most of our potential. Check out the “Finding your Tribe–Rainforest Minds” facebook group here!