Diversity Digest is a weekly reflection written by staff from different areas of our school
October is ADHD awareness month. ADHD is a highly heritable disorder (80% genetic) which can cause dysfunction in multiple areas of one’s life (eg work, school, relationships and friendships). ADHD brains are interest-driven, causing people to ‘hyperfocus’ on things like YouTube videos and their own projects and interests, rather than on urgent or important tasks and deadlines. They may be important for you, but not for them!
ADHD Learners excel in:
- Creative fields (acting, music, filmmaking)
- Entrepreneurship (embracing novelty and risk)
- Fast-paced jobs (emergency medicine, journalism)
- Engineering and coding (when passionate)
ADHD involves attention control rather than a deficit of attention, often focusing on specific interests.
Key lifestyle factors for managing ADHD include:
- Regular sleep schedule
- Consistent meal schedule; they simply forget to eat
- Daily exercise
- “Me time” for relaxation and self-care.
Understanding ADHD helps create supportive environments. Here are some tips for being a good friend, from a child with ADHD:
- Remind me gently about personal space if I get too close
- Encourage turn-taking and leadership roles in games
- I might interrupt you, but kindly remind me to wait my turn
- Include me in invitations; it makes me feel accepted
- Offer support when I feel overwhelmed or angry, like suggesting a walk
- Give clear, step-by-step instructions for new games and routines
- Kindly remind me if I’m being too loud or bossy.