Tell Me You Have ADHD Without Telling Me You Have ADHD - The Signs Everyone Missed Growing Up

How to ADHD
21 Sept 202112:51
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses ADHD, the challenges it presents, and the common misconceptions surrounding it. The speaker shares personal experiences and signs of ADHD that are often overlooked, such as difficulty with executive function, hyperfocus, and time perception. The video also introduces 'Take Note,' a tool by Understood, designed to help parents identify ADHD signs in children and seek appropriate support. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting individuals with ADHD, dispelling the notion that their struggles are a moral failing.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 ADHD is often misdiagnosed or overlooked, especially in individuals who excel in other areas, such as being gifted.
  • 🎮 Hyperfocus on engaging activities like video games can be a sign of ADHD, not a lack of attention.
  • 🕒 People with ADHD may struggle with time management and have a 'lack of depth perception in the dimension of time'.
  • 📚 Difficulty with long-term projects and making 'careless mistakes' can be indicative of ADHD-related executive dysfunction.
  • 👀 Children with ADHD might appear disinterested or disengaged in social situations due to boredom or feeling excluded.
  • 🌟 'Twice Exceptional' refers to individuals with both ADHD and giftedness, who require specialized support for both conditions.
  • 💭 ADHD is not a moral failing; it's a neurological condition that affects behavior and focus.
  • 🤔 Misunderstandings about ADHD can lead to self-doubt and internalized negative labels like 'stubborn', 'lazy', or 'irresponsible'.
  • 📝 The Take N.O.T.E. tool by Understood helps parents identify ADHD signs and seek appropriate support for their children.
  • 🔍 Recognizing and addressing ADHD symptoms early can prevent a cascade of negative outcomes and improve quality of life.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic discussed in the video?

    -The main topic discussed in the video is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the signs and experiences that people with ADHD often face, which are sometimes missed or misunderstood by others.

  • What misconception about ADHD is addressed in the video?

    -The misconception addressed in the video is that ADHD is about attention deficit, when in reality, it's about attention regulation, meaning individuals with ADHD may either pay attention to too many things or focus too much on one thing.

  • What is the term used to describe someone with both ADHD and giftedness?

    -The term used to describe someone with both ADHD and giftedness is 'Twice Exceptional'.

  • What is the name of the tool introduced in the video to help parents identify if their child's struggles might be due to ADHD or learning differences?

    -The tool introduced in the video is called 'Take N.O.T.E.'

  • What does the acronym N.O.T.E. stand for in the context of the tool?

    -The acronym N.O.T.E. stands for Notice, Observe, Talk, and Engage, which are the steps the tool guides parents through to understand their child's behavior and potential ADHD or learning differences.

  • What is the significance of the 'lack of depth perception in the dimension of time' description mentioned in the video?

    -The 'lack of depth perception in the dimension of time' description signifies how individuals with ADHD, often referred to as 'time blind', have difficulty perceiving time in the same way others do, making it hard for them to manage long-term projects and deadlines effectively.

  • Why were individuals with ADHD sometimes considered 'bad examples' in school?

    -Individuals with ADHD were sometimes considered 'bad examples' in school because their disorganization, difficulty focusing, and getting distracted were often misinterpreted as moral defects or willful disobedience rather than symptoms of a neurological condition.

  • How does the video address the issue of shame and guilt associated with ADHD?

    -The video addresses the issue of shame and guilt associated with ADHD by emphasizing that the condition is not a moral failing but a result of how the brain works, and that people with ADHD are often unfairly burdened with guilt and shame for struggling with aspects of life that are challenging due to their condition.

  • What is the importance of recognizing and understanding ADHD in children and adults?

    -Recognizing and understanding ADHD is crucial for providing appropriate support and accommodations, which can help individuals with ADHD thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Early recognition and understanding can lead to timely interventions, reducing the potential negative impacts on various aspects of life.

  • What are some common signs of ADHD that were shared in the video?

    -Some common signs of ADHD shared in the video include difficulty focusing, making 'careless mistakes', hyperfocus on certain activities, disorganization, forgetfulness, difficulty with time management, and social awkwardness.

  • How can the Understood organization help individuals and families dealing with ADHD and learning differences?

    -Understood is a non-profit organization that provides education, awareness, and community support for individuals with ADHD and learning differences. They offer a wealth of information on their website and tools like Take N.O.T.E. to help parents and caregivers recognize and address the challenges associated with ADHD and learning differences.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 ADHD Journey and Community Insights

The speaker shares their personal experience with ADHD, diagnosed at twelve, and reflects on overlooked signs before diagnosis. They discuss common misconceptions about ADHD, emphasizing the need for understanding that it's about attention regulation, not just a deficit. The speaker also talks about the 'Twice Exceptional' term for gifted individuals with ADHD and the challenges they face, including being misunderstood as average students. The paragraph highlights the importance of recognizing ADHD signs in children and the impact of invisibility of these struggles.

05:01
😶 Misunderstood Behaviors and Internal Struggles

This paragraph delves into the internal experiences of those with ADHD, contrasting outward perceptions with the internal reality. The speaker addresses common ADHD traits such as difficulty with time management, impulsivity, and executive dysfunction. They discuss the impact of these challenges on daily life, including school experiences and social interactions. The speaker also touches on the emotional burden of being labeled as 'stubborn' or 'lazy' and the need for better understanding and support for individuals with ADHD.

10:01
🚨 The Ripple Effect of ADHD Symptoms

The speaker explores how seemingly small ADHD symptoms can have significant, cascading effects on an individual's life. They discuss the transition from childhood to adulthood and the real-world consequences of organizational challenges, such as missed opportunities and job loss. The paragraph underscores the importance of recognizing ADHD's impact and seeking support. The speaker introduces Understood's Take N.O.T.E. tool, which guides parents in observing and understanding their child's potential ADHD symptoms, emphasizing the value of early recognition and intervention.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. In the video, the speaker discusses their personal experiences with ADHD, highlighting the often overlooked signs and struggles associated with the condition. The video aims to raise awareness and understanding of ADHD, emphasizing that it's about attention regulation rather than a simple deficit of attention.
💡Executive Function
Executive function refers to the cognitive processes that are necessary for planning, organizing, initiating, and completing tasks. In the context of the video, the speaker describes having extremely sketchy executive function, which manifests as using time-consuming and labor-intensive workarounds to manage daily tasks. This highlights the challenges individuals with ADHD face in organizing and completing activities, which can often go unnoticed by others.
💡Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus is a state where an individual with ADHD becomes intensely focused on a particular task or activity to the exclusion of all else. This can lead to the misconception that individuals with ADHD have no attention span; however, it's actually an extreme form of attention regulation. In the video, the speaker explains that hyperfocus allows them to focus on one thing, but at the cost of ignoring other important tasks or cues.
💡Time Blindness
Time blindness is a term used to describe the difficulty individuals with ADHD have in perceiving the passage of time and the duration of tasks. This can result in poor time management and an inability to estimate how long activities will take. Dr. Russel Barkley's concept is mentioned in the video to illustrate how people with ADHD may not realize how much time has passed, leading to challenges in meeting deadlines and managing daily routines.
💡Twice Exceptional
The term 'Twice Exceptional' refers to individuals who are both gifted and have a learning disability or neurodevelopmental disorder, such as ADHD. These individuals often require specialized support to address both their exceptional abilities and their learning challenges. In the video, the speaker discusses being 'Twice Exceptional' and how it can lead to a false perception of average performance, masking the need for targeted support.
💡Social Discomfort
Social discomfort refers to the awkwardness or anxiety individuals may feel in social situations. For those with ADHD, this can stem from difficulties with social cues, maintaining focus during conversations, or feeling out of sync with peers. In the video, the speaker shares personal experiences of feeling socially awkward and using reading as a means to avoid social interaction, which is a common coping mechanism for those with ADHD.
💡Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a heightened vulnerability to perceived rejection or criticism. Individuals with ADHD may experience this intensely, leading to avoidance of situations where they might face rejection or to overreacting to perceived slights. In the video, the speaker touches on how ADHDers are prone to rejection sensitivity, which can affect their social interactions and relationships.
💡Executive Dysfunction
Executive dysfunction is a term used to describe difficulties with the executive functions of the brain, which include planning, organizing, initiating, sustaining attention, and regulating behavior. This is a common challenge for individuals with ADHD, as illustrated in the video where the speaker talks about their mother's frustration with their perceived stubbornness, which was actually a struggle with executive dysfunction.
💡Take N.O.T.E.
Take N.O.T.E. is a tool developed by the non-profit organization Understood to help parents identify and understand potential signs of ADHD or learning differences in their children. The acronym stands for Notice, Observe, Talk, and Engage, guiding parents through a process to better recognize and address their child's needs. The video promotes this tool as a resource for early identification and support.
💡Disorganization
Disorganization is a common symptom of ADHD that manifests as difficulty in maintaining order and structure in one's environment, tasks, and belongings. In the video, the speaker describes their chronic disorganization at school and home, which often goes unrecognized as a sign of ADHD. This disorganization can lead to practical difficulties and emotional stress, affecting various aspects of life, from school performance to professional responsibilities.
Highlights

The speaker was diagnosed with ADHD at twelve, but had signs before that were overlooked.

The video is a collaboration with Understood to introduce their new initiative.

Transcripts

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ADHD AwarenessPersonal StoriesMental HealthCommunity SupportUnderstood OrgTake N.O.T.E ToolExecutive DysfunctionHyperfocusDisorganizationTwice Exceptional