Can we skip to the good part of ADHD?
Despite the warning from my prior psychiatrist to keep my condition a secret (or risk discrimination), I tell anyone who asks that I have ADHD.
I see my neurodivergence as both my superpower and my kryptonite.
If you have a child with ADHD, or if you are discovering your own brain might operate a little differently, please know there is so much that ADHD folks can do that astounds and stymies our neurotypical neighbors:
Creativity. I have a thousand ideas a minute, coming up with so many different ways to solve a problem
Communicator. I can make a riveting story out of a seemingly boring situation.
Noticing. I observe everything that happens in a room. I know who’s upset, I know who’s feeling proud. It’s like I’m wearing glasses that allow me to see behind people’s masks.
Compassion. I can get into the mindset of other people so easily and feel things for the underdog. Maybe because people with ADHD are the underdog. We’ve acted kind of weird and out of place our whole lives. We understand what it’s like to be different or not-supported.
Quick Processing. I’m always connecting things that other people didn’t put together and coming up with the hilarity in it all.
Humorous. ADHD people are funny because they see things what every body else saw but weren’t sensitive enough to question.
Multi-tasking. With ADHD, I can switch back and forth between several projects and still make progress.
Hyper-focus. If I’m interested in something, I can block everything out and go deep until I discover everything about it.
I’m Persistent as heck because I’ve been struggling and having to work harder than makes sense for a long time. I’ve learned to keep at whatever it is that’s important to me.
I have limitless energy (until I crash and zone out) and a real zeal for life. I’m blessed with a fascination and child-like wonder (aka Curiosity).
Do you recognize some of these powers in your Spicy One™ or in yourself?
Scroll down to the end of this email to learn a metaphor that helps to embrace your gifted child!
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In Case You Missed It
Even with all these superpowers, I don’t think I was gifted as a child. My mild child is gifted academically, and it's incredible to witness the dichotomy between where a child is extremely advanced, and where they might be severely un-endowed.
This week on Instagram, a reader shared a terrific metaphor of buffering for the gifts to children:
