Resilience isn’t so much a skill that individuals with ADHD need to build, but a fundamental part of their DNA. Working an 80-hour week while pregnant. Graduating college at age 43. Navigating unhealthy relationships. Staying strong when faced with mental and physical setbacks. These are just some examples ADDitude readers shared when asked for a time their (or their child’s) ADHD resilience truly shone. Read on for more stories of perseverance and grit.

Share your stories of ADHD resilience in the comments section.

“I lost my three-year-old daughter to a rare form of cancer. I remember wanting to die, too. A voice in my head said, ‘You have three other kids who need you to find a way to go on. Because if life hits them the way it’s hit you, they will know they can overcome.’” — Tracy, Canada

“I struggled with depression and anxiety in my first semester of college because of major imposter syndrome and ended up having to go home on medical leave for suicidal ideation. No one expected me (maybe not even myself) to get up the next morning and apply for a job. Hitting what seemed like rock bottom helped me find a hidden, gritty, scrappy fighter within me. I knew I needed time and experience outside of the academic arena to show me that there is more to life and that I have value and talent beyond what any classroom grade might assign me.” — Rebecca, Connecticut

“I failed out of college. Then, I took a semester off, went to community college, eventually enrolled in a four-year program, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in accounting.” — Erin, Missouri

“Being diagnosed late in life, raising three kiddos with ADHD, surviving a high-conflict divorce, running a school, and navigating a teen through trauma and treatment — ADHD resilience, it’s a real thing.” — Katie, Arizona

[Get This Free Download: Secrets of the ADHD Brain]

“Having ADHD and dealing with setbacks has made my teenager resilient and allowed him to build strong boundaries. When he realized he was being mistreated by ‘friends,’ he recognized that their negativity was contagious and dangerous to his mental health because he was emotionally sensitive. Recognizing his sensitivity to unpleasant behavior gave him the motivation to end old relationships and seek out new ones that are positive and more rewarding. This is a life skill that more teenagers need to live happier lives.” — Jane, Tennessee

“I was told I might not be able to walk again. Yes, I suffered from depression, but I had small goals and kept going. I worked hard. I pushed myself (with my high expectations), and now I can walk with a walking stick. It was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever had to do. It has taken me years to get to where I am today. But I did it because I’m resilient and strong. I’m grateful. I’m proud. Thank you, ADHD.” — Sam, U.K.

“A childhood full of bullying, misunderstanding, and criticism drove me to seek out therapy. That self-exploration gave me an early advantage in self-acceptance and how to deal with others, especially in the decades when I went undiagnosed. I’m a veteran human being now.” — Dee, Canada

“I have fallen on my face so many times over the years, but each time, I climb back up and get a little more success — money, lifestyle, health, etc. I have endurance tattooed on my back (I should add resilience).” — Angie, Virginia

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“I try to be resilient by giving myself grace when I forget things and try to complete multi-step tasks. I tell myself it’s ‘OK if I don’t get it right the first time.’ Allowing myself to try again took a long time to accept because I like to get things perfect the first time.” — An ADDitude Reader

“I taught a class of 16-year-olds who hated my guts. Going to work was like entering a war zone. My work colleagues could not believe how I kept going. At home, I also took care of my husband, who suffered from a work injury. I refused to give up. Former bosses still talk to me, and some former students smile and publicly say, ‘Hello.’ My marriage and career continue to thrive.” — Louise, Australia

“I have big emotional reactions to setbacks and rejection, especially involving others. Since learning more about RSD and ADHD, I try to allow myself to feel my feelings so I can build resiliency and move forward. I remind myself that, while people may not understand me, I know who I am.” — Ellen, Massachusetts

“My 10-year-old son faced significant challenges when he developed arthritis and severe asthma following a post-COVID infection. This condition made physical activities like running and playing soccer and basketball difficult, often leaving him in pain and short of breath. Despite his efforts, some teammates were unkind, telling him he was hopeless and suggesting he should quit. When he shared his feelings with me, he showed determination, leaving me in awe. He said, ‘I’ve heard what they’ve said, but I want to finish the season because I made a commitment. I’ll keep doing my best, stay positive, and not let their comments get to me. After the season, I’ll find an activity that better suits my abilities.’ True to his word, he persevered through the season and eventually discovered jiu-jitsu and ninja training, activities that he loves and excels at.” — Jo, Australia

“I have learned that my value is not determined by what I do or have not done or how much I weigh or what others say about me. I have learned to forgive myself and move on. I’m also not afraid of admitting and taking ownership of my mistakes. I try to teach my son this, too.” — Glenda, California

“I don’t know how I survived the five years of my life when I was pregnant, had two young sons, and worked in an industry where an 80-hour workweek was expected. As an ambitious advertising executive and new mother, I flew more than 100,000 miles a year, breast-pumped on the road, and stayed up until 3 a.m. working on new business pitches. I had no clue that I even had ADHD until this year!” — Tyra, Arizona

“I continue to write despite never finishing a single project. I have three unfinished novels, an overflowing drawer of unpublished poetry, and ideas for more. Despite the unsuccessful struggle to complete or publish any of this, I am actively working on a non-fiction book, mostly because I can’t not do it.” — David, Oregon

“I can think of several times in my adulthood where I was resilient: Going to nursing school at age 27, finishing at the top of the class, completing college at age 43, becoming licensed in the state and nationally as a nursing home director, and becoming a director of a bankrupt facility. Despite wanting to drown many times, my mind would rebound, and I kept swimming.” — Enola, Oklahoma

“I had five different majors in college. I spent my 20s jumping from job to job, unsure of what I was good at or wanted. I returned to school and got my Ph.D. at age 39. Ten years later, I am tenured and an associate dean at a major university. I work with people who know that they benefit from my ADHD superpowers and accommodate my less super ADHD symptoms. I regularly get to use my position to help neurodivergent students.” — Ted, California

“I co-founded a charter school 22 years ago. Keeping it on track through many challenges required a lot of perseverance.” — Morgan, California

Perseverance & Resilience: Next Steps

• Read: Building Resilience Begins Here – 6 Motivation Strategies for ADHD Families
• Download: How Well Are You Handling Stress?
• Read: “I Am What I Choose to Become!”

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When solving a particularly sticky problem, it helps if your brain is adept at divergent thinking — that is, generating original ideas by considering diverse and unprecedented possibilities.

Unsurprisingly, neurodivergent brains tend to be aces at divergent thinking. Folks with ADHD tend to think fast, dream big, and innovate solutions that are totally unexpected and brilliant, making them perfect people to turn to when there’s a problem that stumps everyone else.

From software snafus to construction conundrums, tough problems are no match for ADHD brains. Here, ADDitude readers share their problem-solving success stories.

“When I was buying a new mattress, the sales person told me I needed to rotate it top to bottom, once a month. I’m a single mum and having to handle a double mattress on my own didn’t sound fun. I thought for a second and said, ‘Can’t I just rotate my body instead of the mattress?’ The person looked at me for a second and said “Wow, actually yeah. No one has ever suggested that before.” —Emma, Scotland

“I came up with this crazy idea to design costumes for my colleagues and I to wear to a presentation for the higher-ups that really made this project idea hit home. It was fun and effective.” —Jen, Ontario

[Read: 17 Things to Love About Your ADHD!]

“Door handle fell off. Fixed it with a shoelace and two pencils.” —Miriam, Ireland

“An ability to see patterns allowed me to devise a flow chart that simplified an admissions process in a mental health facility. It also allowed me to ‘see’ an element that might be missing during an intake interview. This led to better diagnosis and care.” —Rinda

“I am often coming up with suggestions that are totally logical to me and not to others. Yesterday, I helped a friend and her daughter hang something in the stairwell. I suggested using one ladder as a base to support for the other ladder, which made the job easy.” —Lisa, Washington

[Read: What I Would Never Trade Away]

“I fix all temporary problems in my house with painter’s tape. It makes a great seal, picture hanger, cable organizer, label. The only thing it can’t do is my taxes!” —Yvette, Canada

“As a nurse practitioner working in a student health clinic, I unleashed my creativity and developed an on-line reference for students that was wildly popular! —An ADDitude Reader

“I can make the simplest dish for lunch even when my fridge is almost empty.” —Boon, Malaysia

“ADHD has allowed me to find workarounds within proprietary software at work faster and more frequently than others. Sharing workarounds when something is broken helps stop productivity loss until a permanent fix is made.” —An ADDitude Reader

“I saved a deadline once with my ADHD thinking. Pre-internet, my East Coast publishing company discovered that we forgot to fact check an important detail with a federal government bureau that had closed for the day. While my bosses pondered disaster, I realized that all we had to do was call other branches on Pacific Time that were still open, to get the info. We made our deadline!” —Dee

“At my first real job I was given a task that regularly took people three days to do. I found a different way of doing it that got the same results but took one day.” —Erin, Missouri

“At work, colleagues were attempting to reorganize a room so that a light fixture was not accessible when you stood on the bed. They were discussing moving wardrobes when I came in and said, ‘Why not cut the legs off the bed?’ So, we did, much easier!” —Lisa, Wales

ADHD & Problem Solving: Next Steps

• Free Download: Your Free Guide to All the Best Parts of ADHD
• Read: Who Says One Kind of Thinking Is Better Than Another?
• Quiz: ADHD Myth or ADHD Reality? Check Your Knowledge
• Read: How My ADHD Makes Me a More Dynamic, Resourceful, Passionate Leader”

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

“My ADHD curiosity sends me down rabbit holes that cost me on occasion but, wow, the things I learn.” — John, Florida

The ADHD mind is not satisfied with ‘what’ and ‘where.’ As one reader told us, “I am a solution detective, always driven by the ‘why’ and the ‘how.’” And that natural intellectual curiosity regularly unlocks innovation.

Here’s how ADDitude readers answered our question, “How has your (or your child’s) curious ADHD brain fueled innovation, exploration, and/or opportunity?”

Share your own stories of where ADHD curiosity has taken you in the comments section!

Intellectual Curiosity: ADHD and the Desire to Know

“My child’s curiosity has fueled her soccer progression. She wants to know the ‘how’ and ‘why’ for every play, making her the best strategist on the field.” — An ADDitude Reader

“I saw a queue of people with instruments in Glasgow, Scotland. I couldn’t not ask what was going on! Turns out it was open auditions for a TV show, which I joined and went on to win. Completely serendipitous, but that seems to happen to me a lot. I question if it is serendipity or my curious ADHD mind pushing me toward these things my whole life.” — Emma, Scotland

“My child, who has ADHD, once wondered what was the best-tasting sugar substitute, or if they even liked sugar alternatives. Within the hour, they had set up a taste test for the entire family.” — Sara, New Hampshire

[Get This Free Download: Secrets of the ADHD Brain]

“I have always wanted to know how, what, where, and why things work. Over the course of my life, I have learned how to restore and play old violins, sing, lead a choir, write music and poetry, sculpt, draw, paint, collect and categorize insects, ride and train horses, raise peafowl and chickens, grow a garden, grow trees, and the list goes on and on. I follow maintenance and engineers around at work asking endless questions on how and why something does what it does. Everything is fascinating! I want to know EVERYTHING!” — Kathleen, Arizona

“A curiosity about what lies beneath the permafrost has given my son a silver lining to climate change. His passion is for dinosaurs and other beasts of another time.” — Tara, Canada

“In my job, I help people with mental, emotional, and physical disabilities find long-term employment. As an evaluator, I am the ‘digger’ — I really get to know each person I work with on a deep level. I use a variety of assessments to determine a client’s interests, skills, and aptitudes. My ADHD curiosity also allows me to morph into the appropriate mental and emotional state to meet the client where they are and develop trust, which is what I need to be successful at my job.” — SolLuna, Nebraska

“I have cataloged more than 150,000 articles in my 12-terabyte drive of ‘Dirk’s Knowledge.’ It’s more than an obsession, it’s a severe case of e-hoarding. I know many things about just about everything, but not enough to be specialized in anything.” — Dirk, Australia

[Read: On the Awesomeness of ADHD Creativity]

“I always fact-checked everything before I even knew what fact-checking was. It turns out that collecting facts isn’t just for fun! It can also help you get into a fancy school.” — Ted, California

“In my retreat business, curiosity plays a crucial role in shaping unique and transformative experiences. My ADHD brain constantly asks questions like, ‘How can we make this experience different?’ and, ‘Why do people respond to certain activities in certain ways?’ This drive to understand and explore leads to the creation of retreats that are not only distinctive but deeply impactful.” — Jo, Australia

“My curious ADHD brain has me constantly questioning ‘why,’ ‘how, and, crucially, ‘what if,’ which helped me to better understand the subjects I learned in college. My line of questioning made me a bit of a leader amongst my peers, since I asked questions that hadn’t occurred to others, which helped us all learn. My ADHD also helps me see patterns and meaning in things that others often miss, which helps give more meaning and understanding in my life.” — Rebecca, Connecticut   

“It helps that I grew up reading Agatha Christie books. It taught me to look for creative ways to fix problems and solve mysteries. I have had pretty good luck using psychology to understand what someone was thinking, which helps with problem solving. (Mostly in the form of helping to find lost things at work.)” — Cecil, Minnesota

“My ADHD gave me a hunger to learn before I even entered preschool. Today, it’s a fantastic asset in my editing career. I bring to the job not just hyperfocused attention to detail but also the curiosity and healthy dose of skepticism needed to ask, ‘Is that right? Let me check that’ or, ‘I wonder what other style guides say. I want to do a deeper dive into this.’” — Heather, Alabama

“As a writer and comedian, I don’t just want to know how something is done, but why it’s done. I want to know who benefits from it being done that way, what its history is, the people who make it happen, and what choices were made to get there. My thought process can be distracting, but my curiosity makes me feel more connected to the people and things around me. When I get my questions answered, I’m left with a huge filing cabinet of info to rummage through when I have a problem to solve.” — Nicole, Ohio

ADHD Curiosity: Next Steps

• Get This Free Download: ADHD Empowerment Month Calendar
• Read: The Tower of Bottles in My Kitchen — and More Proof of Creative ADHD Problem-Solving
• Read: 17 Things to Love About Your ADHD!

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
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I have a pretty cool job.

A few years ago, I was sitting in an office at Velcro International. They needed a creative ad that would persuade their customers to stop calling their product Velcro.

Yes, you read that right.

I learned the product they sell is actually called Hook and Loop, not Velcro. If people kept calling their product Velcro, they could potentially lose their trademark. So they needed to reach millions of people with this habit-breaking message.

After dropping this bombshell, the executives talked for another 15 minutes about legal ramifications, but I was ZONED out. I know that’s a bad thing most of the time, but for my ADHD brain, it was amazing. My wandering went something like this.

Wait, how funny would it be to write an ad that begs people not to call Velcro “Velcro?”

This is a multi-billion-dollar company. We can’t have its lawyers in a stuffy office doing this ad.

This seems like a pretty ridiculous problem. What if we acted like it was a serious problem?

Oh my gosh, remember “We Are the World?” Everyone was so serious, you know, because it was about starvation in Africa. But what if we did an ad with that vibe, but about something that is clearly a first-world problem?

These lawyers could be making fun of themselves. They could be aware that this is, in fact, a ridiculous thing to ask people!

Ooooh, we could use real lawyers!

Oh boy, here come the lyrics….

It was like a brainstorm session inside my own head.

I am very lucky to have co-workers who have seen this happen to me. They explained to the nice lawyers that I had something cooking, so it didn’t seem rude.

Before I got back to my office, the song was already written in my head. Here’s the final product. (Parental alert: There are some bleeped-out potty words so watch before showing your kids!)

It went viral and got tens of millions of views worldwide.

Still, I know you are probably thinking, “C’mon, Penn. Are you telling me that SPACING OUT sparked the flame of this very good thing?”

Yes, I am. Allow me to explain.

My favorite ADHD doctors are the ones who use creative metaphors to teach me more about my brain. It helps me truly “see” my ADHD. It’s also a fantastic way to explain ADHD to kids.

The Velvet Rope Metaphor

One of my favorite metaphors comes from Dr. Marcy Caldwell of ADDept.org. She was helping me understand how my brain works compared to the neurotypical brain. According to Dr. Caldwell, the neurotypical brain is like a VIP Club with a velvet rope and a bouncer. The bouncer does a great job making sure only elites gain access to the club, while carefully keeping out “less important” partygoers who don’t have a pass. The inside of the club is orderly, a little quieter, and much less cluttered.

The ADHD brain? Well, that is more like Coachella, and everyone gets in! There are countless different sights and noises. Laser lights and fog machines. You can feel the wind and the weather. Sometimes it rains. There are conversations all over the place. You can see, hear, and feel it all; your attention is pulled in countless directions.

[Get This Free Download: Unraveling the Mysteries of Your ADHD Brain]

Our ADHD brains can eventually learn to put up a velvet rope and a bouncer, but it’s not our default mode; it takes real work.

VIP Club vs Outdoor Festival

When it comes to trying to make breakfast, complete a job, or get through school, the VIP club sounds much better, right? That’s the battle we ADHDers fight every day; we try to get our brains out of the open air and into a room with more order.

But…. and it is a pretty big but… (it’s okay if you just laughed reading “pretty big but”) that Outdoor Festival is the perfect breeding ground for one of the most important qualities a human being can ever have: CREATIVITY.

When your brain feels, sees, and smells everything, it is more likely than the neurotypical brain to notice something no one has ever noticed before. It is more likely to go down a rabbit hole and discover a new path. It’s more likely to see something in a way no one has ever seen it.

Biographers speculated that Thomas Edison, one of the greatest creators of all time, had ADHD. Possibilities came to his Open-Air Brain and he was able to harness them by giving us light (yes, literally invented the lightbulb), sound (invented the phonograph), and sight (yep, the camera too!) He struggled just like we do.

According to thomasedison.com; At age seven – after spending 12 weeks in a noisy one-room schoolhouse with 38 other students of all ages – Tom’s overworked and short-tempered teacher finally lost his patience with the child’s persistent questioning and seemingly self-centered behavior. 

Sound familiar? Yeah, schools are mostly VIP Clubs, not Outdoor Festivals or Open-Air Concerts. You may not be Thomas Edison yet, but that same creativity lives within you.

My Open-Air Brain

My Open-Air Brain finds creativity through music. I studied music theory at a very early age, to the point that it became a second language for me.

I stopped learning after two years because my Open-Air Brain was much less interested in being Rachmaninoff and more interested in the brand-new notes, chords, and lyrics popping up in my head. I wasn’t writing Shakespeare; just lines documenting the countless things going on in my world, and in my family. Now just about everything I experience plays like a song in my head.

In the case of the Velcro ad, that Open-Air Brain quickly gave me access to a catalog of every melodramatic music video I’ve ever heard, every lawyer stereotype I’ve ever had, and every funny meme about first-world problems I’ve ever shared. All those ideas were welcome to the party.

Of course, there are times that this is frustrating – it can be hard listening to someone if the story they are telling is turning into a song. I’ve had to do some really hard work to find a VIP bouncer when what a person is saying is important, and I care about that person and their feelings.

But when there’s nothing else going on, no work to do, and no conversations to have, my mind wanders back to that Open-Air Concert. It happens on walks, at night before bed, in the shower, and sometimes in the middle of the day when I have a minute to just sit and let it happen.

Your Open-Air Concert isn’t just a distraction; it could be the key to your success. Now, we don’t have an excuse to get lost in thought all the time; we need to be respectful of our parents, friends, and teachers, and do the best we can to hear what they have to say. But don’t ever discount those wonderfully bizarrely random thoughts coming into your head. Those thoughts are yours and yours alone, they are enormously creative, and believe it or not, they could change the world one day.

The Creative ADHD Brain: Next Steps

• Get the Book! ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD
• Get This Free Download: ADHD Empowerment Month Calendar
• Read: “We Light Up the Room with Our Sparkles”
• Read: ADHD Self-Empowerment Begins With Finding Your “Right Difficult”

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

ADHD is not a coincidence among our greatest creative and artistic minds. From best-selling author Dav Pilkey and Grammy-Award winner SZA to Hollywood mastermind Greta Gerwig and YouTube gamer and animator Markiplier, the evidence of ADHD creativity dominates popular culture.

“ADHD creativity is natural in a brain that works uniquely,” says Kathleen, an ADDitude reader from Arizona who has had a prolific career creating model horses produced in resin for companies such as Breyer/Reeves International, Hartland Collectables, and Safari.

Michelle, an ADDitude reader from Mississippi, uses creative thinking daily as a professional writer, photographer, and graphic designer. “ADHD allows me to see the world differently, offer a fresh perspective, and connect ideas others miss,” she says.

“We light up the room with our sparkles,” says Sam, an ADDitude reader from the U.K. “I believe my ADHD helps me see the world in a kaleidoscope of color. I have a vivid imagination, which enables me to be creative. I can give the most amazing descriptions of things so other people can almost see, touch, and taste them. I love writing, drawing, creating music, dancing, and singing.”

[Download: Need Help Finding Your Passion? Use This ADHD “Brain Blueprint”

ADHD Traits That Foster Creativity

Some ADDitude readers credit the ADHD trait of hyperfocus with nurturing their creativity professionally and personally.

“Developing the skill of hyper-concentration makes it so I can practice and then play the piano longer and better,” says Anastasia from Nevada.

Hyperfocus enabled Mia, from New York, to excel as a student journalist “despite the strange and long hours required.”

Others say their creativity stems from insatiable curiosity, distinct viewpoints, and the ability to see obscure connections and solutions.

“ADHD has been a driving force behind my creating unique, fun, and inspiring wellness events,” says Jo from Australia. “I attribute much of the success of these retreats to the creative energy and problem-solving abilities that come with ADHD. It’s not just about being different; it’s about harnessing that difference to make something truly special. ADHD helps me see opportunities where others might see obstacles and turn them into unique and transformative experiences.”

Read on to learn about the creative successes that ADDitude readers ascribe to their (or their child’s) ADHD brain, and how they encourage their creative thinking to blossom.

[Self-Test: ADHD Test for Adults]

ADHD Creativity Is… Expressive

“I attribute my son’s writing ability and creativity to ADHD. He was able to complete two books and have them published by age 12!” — Carin, Ohio

“I wrote a newspaper column for 15 years about different aspects of my life that I thought were interesting or funny.” — Jen, Canada

“In the middle of COVID, I switched careers to become a writer. My ADHD gave me the creativity, the courage, and the tools to do it. Since then, I’ve published two children’s chapter books, which are loosely based on my life from childhood growing up with undiagnosed ADHD.” — Heidi, Washington

“I’ve written books, flash fiction, and poetry. I definitely attribute my ability to easily come up with imaginary stories or find new ways to describe things to my ADHD.” — Felicia

“When my daughter was in kindergarten, her teacher explained that it was hard for her to focus on her work because she was always paying attention to what the other kids were doing. Years later, she became an amazing writer. One of the things that makes her writing so compelling is her ability to describe characters and stories in detail. I think this ability comes from a lifetime of constantly observing people and details around her.” — Katie, Maryland

ADHD Creativity Is… Making Unexpected Connections

“At age 12, I learned how to play chess. When I was 14, I won my first of several tournaments. I didn’t understand why I saw upcoming sequences that others could not — I assumed they weren’t trying. It wasn’t until I was in my 40s that a college president explained there was something about me that allowed me to see things others didn’t.” — John, Illinois

“In the engineering world, I can find creative solutions quickly by making uncommon connections in my head and working them out on the whiteboard with my employees.” — Celtic, Florida

“I am an engineer with ADHD, and I have invented several novel environmental technologies and have the patents to show for it.” — Victor, Mississippi

“As a psychotherapist, I see connections between things in my patients’ lives and internal narratives. I can articulate these insights, often in visual metaphors, in ways that immediately put my patients at ease. I credit my ADHD with giving me this expansive access to my mind and heart and the ability to connect powerfully with my patients in ways that help them let go of their suffering.” — Jennifer, Massachusetts

ADHD Creativity Is… Clarifying

“My son has a unique eye for street life. His ADHD has enabled him to capture people uniquely through his photography.” — Sara, New Hampshire

“When I take photos, I can see the picture in my mind. I often take close-up shots of nature with people saying, ‘What is that? It’s really beautiful or interesting, but I can’t tell what it is.’ Then, they are amazed to discover it’s just water photographed differently.” — Gina, Kentucky 

“My son takes the most amazing photographs. We can be looking at the same things, but he sees it in a different light and can capture that moment on film.” — Robin, Colorado

ADHD Creativity Is… Melodic

“My daughter always tapped and jiggled her legs and had to move all the time. I had her bang on pan lids and wooden spoons as a toddler. This evolved into her becoming a drummer. People with ADHD can make awesome drummers. The rhythm soothes mental restlessness, and the physical energy needed to play calms hyperactivity.” — Andrea, U.K.

“I could never read music because of my dyslexia, but I discovered I have an ear for it. My ADHD gave me the hyperfocus to teach myself how to play piano, drums, and guitar when music lessons failed me.” — Kerry, New Jersey

“I was a professional musician for 23 years and produced and released a CD/album of original music.” — Julia, Oregon

“My ADHD allows me to write and create music that emotionally resonates with others. I would not be as good a musician without it.” — Emma, Scotland

“I arrange and write music, and I intrinsically understand the mathematical aspects of it but could never explain it.” — Jennifer, Utah

“I’m currently finishing my 6th album, ‘Neurodivergent.’ Not only did I explore new musical territories, but I experimented with A.I. videos to build narratives around the songs. This track is very ADHD to me.” — Jon, Surrey, U.K.

ADHD Creativity Is… Well Designed

“I taught myself how to use multiple graphic design programs because I was determined to fix tiny photo errors, make my blog perfect, and have the best syllabus for a class I was teaching.” — Ted, California

“I make handmade birthday cards. It’s a great creative outlet, and I actually use the craft supplies I’ve hoarded over many years.” — Yvette, Canada

“I love design — making flyers with digital art or rearranging my living room 1,000 times to find the perfect Feng shui. I believe  my ability to hyperfocus makes me love those tasks.” — Oceann, Colorado

ADHD Creativity Is… In the Spotlight

“I’m a writer and performer. My talent derives from my unique way of conceptualizing and interpreting the world, plus my constant curiosity. That’s an ADHD brain specialty.” — Dee, Canada

“During COVID, my young adult daughter chose stand-up comedy to help her cope. She works a regular job and continues to perform on weekends, including hosting shows.” — Pat, Canada

“As a humor writer and comedian, it’s important to have an interesting P.O.V. ADHD allows me to focus on details others have missed and makes my writing more interesting and robust. Additionally, being very observant helps me gather information about my audiences very quickly and relate to them.” — Nicole, Ohio

ADHD Creativity Is… Hands On

“I renovated my bathroom and kitchen with zero experience — and they both look professionally done.” — Gretchen, Minnesota

“I refinish furniture to make extra money. It is fun and creative.” — Glenda, Alberta, Canada

“Our daughter fully renovated her home, only calling in plumbers and electricians for vital compliance tickets. She also completed the renovation of a friend’s caravan and is working her way through their home, all while completing a college degree in science communication.” — Anna, Australia

ADHD Creativity Is… Inventive

“I think of wonderful inventions to re-purpose everything I’ve purchased over the years. I’m designing and making self-watering raised flower beds and working on an idea for hidden drawers that can slide in and out from under my bed frame.” — Ruth, New York

“My 8-year-old son is amazing. He puts together LEGO kits by himself. Then, a few days later, he’ll take them apart and create something new with the pieces. He created an excavator from a Star Wars set, Godzilla, and several others.” — Meagan, Alabama

“I build websites. When I let my ADHD loose, I can devise incredibly creative ways to accomplish the tasks my clients want. If they want ‘x,’ I can sometimes deliver ‘x,’ and ‘y,’ and ‘z.’ It’s all a matter of using that ADHD focus.” — Andrew, New York

“When my son was 12, he created fidget objects from LEGOS and sold them to friends. My little entrepreneur.” — Tracy, Canada

ADHD Creativity Is… Illuminating

“I teach university students using rare books and archives. ADHD allows me to connect our collections and subject areas, which wouldn’t normally happen. I also love coming up with new lesson ideas others don’t consider.” — Jo, U.K.

“I’m a dynamic, fun, hardworking teacher. I’m the teacher I always needed. I’m always trying new things!” — Marla, New Jersey

“As an educator, I used my ADHD mind to create novel situations. I sponsored a banana-eating contest to help students understand how the economic system works for a social studies class. The kids had to find a banana sponsor, get contestants, decide the admission price, make advertisements, sell tickets, and determine the profit margin. We held the contest in the school auditorium. It was a blast!” — Jane, California

ADHD Creative Thinking: Next Steps

• Download: A Free Calendar for ADHD Empowerment Month
• Read: Inspiring Celebrities Who Harness Creative Thinking
• Read: ADHD Self-Empowerment Begins With Finding Your “Right Difficult”

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Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

Here, ADDitude readers share more stories of when they reaped the rewards of spontaneity. Read more.

“If you can tune into your voice and communicate your story, that’s when you’re going to create something nobody’s ever seen before.” — Hayley Wall

“I would not change my son or husband for anything. We’ll bundle up all the positives and challenges, stick them into our family jetpack, and navigate the steps, bounces, stumbles, and freefalls of this shared diagnosis together.” Read more.

“My creativity has blessed me at every stage of my life. My grandkids and I write songs or make videos, and I do sing-a-longs at my mom’s nursing home. Being ADHD is a rollercoaster ride, but I love the thrills along the way!” Read more.

Imaginative, resourceful, and fast-thinking ADHD brains can often solve problems that stump everyone else. Here, readers share their stories of seeing the solution everyone else missed.

Star of the stand-up comedy special “Big Guy,” Rachel Feinstein talks about her ADHD journey, from adrenaline highs to rejection lows (and how she’s always losing her passport). Meet Rachel

“When I get to engage in an adrenaline-filled experience, like jumping off a 40-foot cliff, I take it.” Learn more about the risky, sensation-seeking activities that ADDitude readers crave.

“I sometimes feel frustrated that the things that seem so simple (turning in homework, putting on BOTH shoes, turning off the stove) can be so hard for the ADHD brain. But the things my son’s brain creates leave me in awe.” _ Kim Holderness

Here’s how ADDitude readers answered our question, “How has your (or your child’s) curious ADHD brain fueled innovation, exploration, and/or opportunity?”

“The more I talk to colleagues about my fresh diagnosis (ADHD, inattentive type), the more I see that others grapple daily with different demons. And some of the things that frighten or frustrate them about teaching come as naturally to me as breathing.” Read this blog post.

“You can’t see my constant struggles to stay on top of employment, housework, and personal affairs; you can’t hear my every thought scream for my total attention as I fail to hold onto a single one; you certainly can’t feel the smaller effects of ADHD pile on top of each other to create a web of executive dysfunction.” Read this blog post.

25 positive affirmations to lift up ADHD brains

Rebecca Makkai is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than 20 languages. She is a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award finalist. She teaches graduate fiction writing at Northwestern University, among other places, and she has ADHD.

“When your brain feels, sees, and smells everything, it is more likely than the neurotypical brain to notice something no one has ever noticed before. It is more likely to go down a rabbit hole and discover a new path. It’s more likely to see something in a way no one has ever seen it.”

How to live better with ADHD, according to the experts.

ADDitude readers describe the undeniable signs, symptoms, and strengths of ADHD that may be invisible to others. Read more.

“These mottos have helped me practice self-compassion and affirm my own neurodiversity.” Read more.

From the pragmatic to the profound, readers offer up hard-won wisdom that they’ve found transformative, in the hopes you might benefit from it, too. Read more.

“What if my intense drive is because of — not in spite of — my ADHD?” asks Tracy Otsuka, JD

If you could pay a visit to your childhood self, what words of affirmation, advice, or messages of self-love would you impart? ADDitude readers respond here.

These insights on living and (mostly) thriving with ADHD from the Holderness Family will make you laugh, nod in agreement, and feel a little more understood.

Disorder. Condition. Impairment. These are the words commonly used to describe ADHD. Their accuracy is debatable. What’s for certain: they’re insufficient on their own.

What does ADHD mean to you? Adventure. Gift. Advantage. Creative engine. Superpower and kryptonite, all rolled into one. According to ADDitude readers, this is the essence of ADHD.

This October, we move beyond awareness and acceptance. As we step into ADHD empowerment, ADDitude will amplify the myriad voices comprising our community and share their powerful, telling stories.

What is ADHD? It’s whatever you say it is.

ADHD Is . . .

“. . . a kaleidoscope. I see, hear and think in stereo. The beauty of ADHD is how my mind endlessly sees and hears things others around me can’t.” — Jon, United Kingdom

. . .a different gameplay mode, enabled on some brains.” — Mia, New York

“. . . eye-opening.” — Zak, Florida

“. . . like a powerful wild horse — beautiful and strong but untamed. Imagine what it’s like to ride on its back and be taken where it wants to go. You just need to train your horse, and to develop your strength and agility and learn to hold on.” — Giedre, United Kingdom

“. . . complicated.” — Ava, Canada

[Read: Holderness Family Values – 9 ADHD Truths (with a Side of Laughter)]

“. . . an adventure. ADHD is curious. ADHD is playful. ADHD is a roller coaster.” — Emma, Scotland

“. . . exhilarating. There is always something new to learn.” — Erin, Missouri

“. . .wonderfully maddening. Wonderful because of the ability to focus intently on things that interest you and maddening because you’ll need to develop ways to complete tasks that don’t interest you. You have awareness, perspectives and abilities that are likely different from your peers and those skills make you exceptional.” —Becky, Indiana

[Read: 17 Things to Love About Your ADHD!]

ADHD Is . . .

“. . . hopeful. People with ADHD can help create a future that has justice, empathy, curiosity, and creativity as the guiding principles.” — Sara, Canada

“. . . liberating.” — Noreen, Oregon

“. . .an uphill and downhill battle.” —An ADDitude Reader

“. . .a horse without blinders. Someone with ADHD can see so many things at once.” —John, Illinois

“. . .both a superpower and kryptonite.” — Tyra, Arizona

“. . . a channel to dream big dreams.” — Tara, Canada

“. . . is the key that unlocks universes. Wanting to know more about topics I’m interested in is a gift.” — Nicole, Ohio

“. . . a hurdle — one that makes you more resilient.”  — An ADDitude Reader

ADHD Is . . .

“. . .being upside down in a neuro-normative world which is ‘right way up.’” — Rachel, United Kingdom

“. . . a new day every day, sometimes every hour.” — Jana, Tennessee

“. . . differently powerful.” — Betsy, New York

“. . . hyper-focusing.” — An ADDitude Reader

“. . . magical.” — Sam, United Kingdom

“. . . misunderstood.” — Jamie, Tennessee

“. . . multi-faceted and pervasive, affecting all aspects of one’s life.” — Kathryn, Michigan

“. . . something that gives you the energy to accomplish great things. It may be hard to sit in a class, but you are one of the greatest builders of society.” — An ADDitude Reader

ADHD Is . . .

“. . .a mixed bag. At times it really does feel like a superpower, like when I’m writing for fun; the metaphors and creativity flow like water. At other times, it really does feel like a curse, like when I lose what feels like the 50th pair of prescription sunglasses. My biggest asset is simultaneously my biggest struggle.” — David, Oregon

“. . . determination, focus, tenacity, and courage.” — Heather, Alabama

“. . . balance.” — Maggie, Michigan

“. . . a beautiful brain in a challenging environment.” — Dee, Canada

“. . . overwhelming — and empowering.” — Ariel, Wisconsin

“. . . something that can both control you, and be controlled.” — Andrew, New York

“. . . not good and not bad. It just is.”  — An ADDitude Reader

What Does ADHD Mean?: Next Steps

• Read: “ADHD Is Hard, But…” Crowdsourced Advice for the Newly Diagnosed
• Watch: “ADHD is Awesome: The Holderness Family Guide to Thriving with ADHD”
• Read: “The ADHD Characteristics I’m Most Thankful for Are…”

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

Wisdom is the hard-won result of experience; there are no shortcuts. But if you could time travel back to speak with your childhood self, what advice would you offer that tiny, still unformed version of yourself? What lessons about living and thriving with ADHD — school, work, relationships, self-love — would you impart? What words do you most wish you’d heard to avoid some headache and heartbreak, and to find more fulfillment and acceptance?

Here, ADDitude readers reflect on ADHD life lessons learned and offer everything from practical hacks to tender compassion. Threaded together, these words form a brilliant tapestry of self-advocacy, self-empowerment, and, above all, self-love.

“Oh, love, hi there! It’s me, your 34-year-old self. I just want you to know that you are wonderful. Absolutely wonderful! I know you feel like people don’t get you and that you have to be perfect to be liked. But, cute one, you are not weird, your brain is just different and you have something we call ADHD. It’s why you sometimes lash out and why you dream for hours. It’s also why you love so many different things. I know it feels safer to hide these things with your fears, but you are hurting yourself by doing that.” — An ADDitude Reader, Netherlands

“Be kind, be kind, be kind. Especially to yourself. It will feel rebellious, maybe even dangerous, to be kind to yourself, but you must try.” — Laura, Louisiana

“You are not lazy. You are not flawed. The world is just not ready for you yet.” — Adrienne, Virginia

[Read: Birds of a Feather – The Joy of Neurodivergent Friendships]

“Take notes, drink coffee.” — Courty, Pennsylvania

“You’re not crazy — you are different. There’s this thing called rejection sensitive dysphoria. It’s real, it explains a lot of what you feel all the time, and it really freaking sucks.” — Chiara, Oregon

“Post-It notes are your friend! Write things down so you remember to do stuff!” — Lisa, Ohio

[Read: Everyday ADHD – Quirky Productivity Hacks for Easily Bored Brains]

“Tell those you trust about how you feel. The sooner you tell someone, the sooner someone can help.” — Sarah, United Kingdom

“Honey, yes, you are different, but it’s a beautiful kind of different. Nothing great was ever accomplished under the umbrella of normalcy.” — Michelle, California

“Get diagnosed now.” — Karon, Colorado

“Never be quiet, keep taking up space until you get the help and support you deserve. It will be better when you’re allowed to make your own decisions.” — Mariah, Illinois

“You are irreplaceable.” — Remy, California

“Keep taking the next right step.” — Anne, Wisconsin

“You will be a great adult. Hold on until you get there.” — Michele, Texas

“Find whatever sparks joy and live your dreams as fully you possibly can.” — Deniz, Massachusetts

“Learn how to apologize.” —Paul, California

“Connect with those who thrill and want to be thrilled … then go home to calm. I have found that people like me are not the ones I like to live with.” — An ADDitude reader in New Zealand

“Don’t drink or do drugs to soothe, it makes things worse.” — An ADDitude Reader

“Choose a trade. You’re creative, enjoy working with your hands, and find satisfaction seeing the end product of your efforts.” — Matt, Canada

“There’s a reason why things that are supposed to be simple feel like they’re written in a foreign language. There are others out there who can understand, appreciate, and see the value in your own unique language.” — Jessica, Texas

“Don’t worry so much about fitting in with others. You will find your tribe along the way.” — Noreen, Oregon

“Bring a fidget everywhere.” — M., Virginia

“Become comfortable with being uncomfortable.” — Jamie, United Kingdom

“Oh, sweetheart, it’s not your fault. Your brain is built a bit differently from other people, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad student, or a bad person. It doesn’t mean that you’re a weirdo, or unlovable, or a problem.” — Peyton, Oregon

“It’s not you, it’s the world. Keep doing your thing. It’s going to get complicated and confusing but you will develop some amazing strategies and skills to manage it, without even realizing.” — Lucy, Australia

“Learn about your brain. Teach others!” — Wendy, Canada

“Trust your gut. Pay attention to your needs; they’re not lying to you.” — An ADDitude Reader

“God has a plan for you, sweetheart. You are teary-eyed and alone right now, but I promise a whole world of amazing, creative, heart-centered people across the globe will be at a finger tip’s distance from you in the future.” — Erin, Canada

“Work hard at making nutrition, exercise, and sleep as routine and automatic as possible, to serve as a good foundation.” —Beth, Texas

“Figure out what works and what doesn’t, and then design your life around your strengths. Find a job that fires your passions, which means you’ll work hard at it. Find friends who appreciate your spontaneity without punishing you for poor planning and communication. Find a spouse who pushes you to grow as a person and loves you for your good qualities.” — Josh, Utah

Words of Affirmation and ADHD: Next Steps

• Watch: “How to ADHD – An Insider’s Guide to Working with Your ADHD Brain“
• Read: You Are Not the Sum of Your ADHD Challenges 
• Read: ADHD at the Center – A Whole-Life, Whole-Person Condition
• Download: Rate Your ADHD Coping Strategies

Parent training didn’t prepare me for this. My husband and I stood there, quietly whispering to each other for an excruciating 20 minutes until our daughter finally calmed down. In that time, I was desperate for the screaming, the stares, and others’ well-intentioned, albeit unhelpful, suggestions (to give her a snack or a drink) to stop. This was not the highlight of my mothering career.

Eventually, all those things did (thankfully) come to a halt. My baby stood up quietly after her meltdown, looking disoriented. Then, she stumbled in my direction and finally held my hand instead of running ahead of us like we asked her to, which is what led to the whole fiasco in the first place.

Emotional Dysregulation: A Core But Overlooked Part of ADHD

Emotional dysregulation is not new — to my daughter or to any other person with ADHD. But it was an aspect of ADHD that took me a long time to fully appreciate.

The problem is that the diagnostic criteria for ADHD intentionally exclude emotion dysregulation, despite it being historically conceptualized as a crucial characteristic of the condition. Emotional dysregulation was written about as an issue related to ADHD symptoms as early as the 1700s up until 1968, when the diagnosis of hyperkinetic reaction of childhood was first introduced in the DSM-II. Around this time, emotion dysregulation started to become a forgotten part of the equation for ADHD, and public discussion of ADHD-fueled tantrums and angry outbursts all but halted.

[Get This Free Download: 9 Truths About ADHD and Intense Emotions]

This is why, despite my psychology graduate coursework and training in ADHD, my daughter’s behavior was still confounding. On the one hand, I knew that she struggled with ADHD from an early age because her symptoms were consistent with current diagnostic criteria. On the other, her obvious emotional challenges compared to other girls and children her age, were not reflected in the DSM.

Could My Daughter’s Intense Emotions Be a Sign of DMDD?

Adding to my confusion was the fact that emotion dysregulation isn’t exclusive to ADHD. For example, children with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) display irritable mood and emotional outbursts that could be verbal or physical and that occur at least three times per week. It is a condition that goes beyond temper tantrums.

DMDD was added to the DSM-5 because mental health professionals were over-diagnosing bipolar disorder, a condition that causes extreme changes in mood in children. DMDD was meant to account for children who didn’t quite meet criteria for bipolar disorder, and who presented with more general irritability.

Without much mention of emotion dysregulation’s connection to ADHD in my training and in what doctors told me, my daughter’s intense emotional responses made me wonder — could this be a case of DMDD, too?

[Self Test: Does My Child Have Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder?]

The Truth About ADHD and Intense Emotions

William French, M.D., explains that the key to differentiating between DMDD and emotion dysregulation as a part of ADHD is the child’s mood between temper outbursts. Children with ADHD (and adults, too, for that matter) experience emotions intensely, but these emotions are not all negative.

Individuals with ADHD can also be incredibly excited or calm between emotional outbursts. Russell Barkley, Ph.D., says the reason the negative emotions get so much attention is because they lead to obvious social and functional challenges. While someone with ADHD experiences various emotions between periods of intense negative emotional outbursts, a person with DMDD has more persistent irritable mood between episodes.

Without a shred of doubt, I understand today – though it took lots of time and headaches to get here – that my daughter’s intense emotions are part of her ADHD.

But in my own practice, where I see neurodivergent youth, I increasingly see patients come in with an ill-fitting DMDD diagnosis. As I’ve become more and more self-educated about ADHD and emotion dysregulation, I’m convinced that many clinicians, misled by current diagnostic criteria, may be readily misattributing this central feature of ADHD to DMDD.

This is a problem, for one, because inaccurate diagnoses delay access to life-changing treatment and can cause further health complications. In addition. whether we’d like to admit it or not, certain labels carry heavier stigma than do others. Before they see me, many children with the DMDD diagnosis are turned away from other private practices, deemed too “severe” to treat. Children can also be inappropriately judged by schools when they are given labels reflecting severely dysregulated mood.

It’s important to remember that the DSM, in general, aims to simplify. But, far from simple, human beings are nuanced, and so is the way ADHD presents.

If diagnosticians took a step back and actually looked at the ADHD brain and listened to the lived experiences of individuals, maybe then they could start to understand those who are so unnecessarily misjudged, like my daughter could have been.

ADHD and Intense Emotions: Next Steps

• Free Download: Scripts to Use When Emotionally Dysregulated
• Read: “Does ADHD Emotional Dysregulation Ever Fade?”
• Read: ADHD and Emotional Regulation — A Parent’s Guide
• Get the eBook: The Emotions of ADHD

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

“I attempted to pick up my son from school to take him to the hospital emergency room. The teacher said he had a seizure-like activity. When I arrived at school, he was restrained by two administrators as they escorted him to my car. He became very aggressive inside my car and hit me in the head so hard that I was bleeding. I attempted to call Crisis Response, but the operator said they weren’t available and dispatched police. Two officers arrived. My son has BFRBs (body-focused repetitive behaviors). One officer yelled at my son, ‘Look at me when I talk to you. You think it’s OK to just sit there and pick your nose and nails? You think it’s alright to hit your mom? Boy, if you were a little older, I’d lock you up right now!‘”

“I was arrested at age 21 for spray painting a small stencil of leaping wildebeests on a concrete overpass in broad daylight. I gave zero thought to the implications of spray painting in a public space. It was impulsive and creative. The consequences were huge. I wish that impulsivity were part of the conversation when educating public safety officials about ADHD.”

[Free Download: Common Signs of a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior]

“When my son was in high school, he had a giant meltdown after a peer incident. The police were called. He’s a large kid and started sobbing. The police told him to stop crying or he’d be handcuffed. Needless to say, he was handcuffed. I wish the police knew more about the mental health aspects of ADHD. It was a humiliating situation for all involved.”

“Before my diagnosis, I was a chronic speed demon. I would often bump into and scuff other cars… My inattention put me and others at risk for harm. I wish law enforcement knew about health care disparities and the under-diagnosis of ADHD. Criminalizing people for a disease is cruel behavior.”

“I was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in 1993 and 1994. We now know how PMDD can impact ADHD and how untreated ADHD can look like ODD or be comorbid. None of that was considered 30 years ago for a female. I also masked well and was considered a gifted student. I was very quick to challenge adults who I believed were wrong and I was quick to argue with anyone for anything. I got into trouble a lot. I wish law enforcement knew more about neurodivergent struggles with emotional regulation and utilized calm, compassionate methods before reacting.”

[Self-Test: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms]

Detained by Police? Follow These Steps

1. First, pause. It’s important to not say the first thought that goes through your mind.
2. Tell the officer you have ADHD. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you’re entitled to reasonable accommodations, including modified questioning, fidgets and frequent breaks, and access to your medication.
3. Before you answer questions, make sure to have someone you trust, such as a lawyer or a family member, with you to figure out exactly what happened. You must be truthful and accurate with police, so if you are forgetful and have time-blindness, it’s essential to have a lawyer or trusted person with you for support.

Police Training and ADHD Awareness: Next Steps

• Q&A: ADA Information for the Recently Diagnosed
• Read: Crime, Punishment, and Redemption for My Son with ADHD
• Free Download: An In-Depth Guide to Inattentive ADHD

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

“My autism is extremely invisible,” Lehmann says. “Society has more tolerance for a child having a meltdown but when an adult male who doesn’t look disabled does it, it comes across as very threatening.”

Recently on a work trip, Lehmann’s flight was delayed, causing his “Jenga tower of functioning” to come tumbling down. He kicked a trash can in frustration, attracting the attention of a heavily-armed police officer. Lehmann’s mother stepped in, explaining, “My son has autism. I’ve got this.” The officer took a step back, ready but waiting, as Lehmann calmed down.

Lehmann has had enough negative encounters with law enforcement — cornering him, cursing at him, shaming him — to know this was a best-case scenario. He’s terrified about what could have happened if he hadn’t had a traveling companion, or if the officer was more forceful. He wonders what the outcome might have been if he’d been Black.

The duty of law enforcement is to protect and serve, but when they encounter people with disabilities, too often the result is harm instead of help. Adults and teens with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders appear to be at a heightened risk for negative outcomes every step of the way in the criminal justice system, from first police contact to questioning and detainment, to jail, trial, and beyond. Mishandled interactions can result in everything from distress and humiliation to jail time, or even death.

[Read: What the Americans with Disabilities Act Means For You]

While no comprehensive data exists on the collective outcomes when people with disabilities encounter police, we do know that neurodivergent individuals are over-represented in the carceral system. Rates of ADHD are six times higher among inmates than in the general public,¹  and rates of intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism) are four times higher.²

Law Enforcement and the Neurodivergent: Unique Risks

Neurodivergent people face challenges with law enforcement as victims, witnesses, and especially as suspects. For individuals with autism, common behaviors like stimming, avoiding contact, or meltdowns arouse suspicion, which can lead officers to shout commands or make physical contact. This, in turn, intensifies sensory overwhelm and anxiety, making compliance less likely, not more.

Similarly, people with ADHD may have trouble following commands, because of impulsivity or distractibility, and this behavior can be viewed by police as uncooperative or disrespectful. An individual’s hyperactivity and restlessness, exacerbated by confinement to a chair in a small room, might be perceived as a sign of guilt. Working memory problems, time blindness, and memory distrust syndrome may cause a person with ADHD to have difficulty accurately answering questions or to reply, “I don’t know” to even simple questions such as: “Is this the road you live on?” Police may misinterpret this as evasiveness, another possible sign of guilt.

[Read About the Mom Spearheading Police Training on Autism]

In all these cases, what might have begun as a harmless situation can escalate quickly. “Officers that can’t identify the signs of disability may over-utilize force, may make an arrest for a situation that doesn’t call for one,” explains Texas Police Sergeant James Turner, who spent nearly a decade heading the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in Austin, Texas.

Heightened Threats for People of Color

For neurodivergent people of color, the perils of an interaction with police are even greater. Black Americans are killed by police at twice the rate of White Americans, according to the Fatal Force Database, which has been tracking deadly police shootings since 2015.

Stephon Watts, a Black 15-year-old with autism in Illinois, was one of these victims. Watts’ parents called 911 to help respond to their son’s meltdown, but the arrival of the police only escalated Watts’ distress. Police fired two shots, killing Watts in his own home. In 2021, Illinois passed the Stephon Watts Act, also called the Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA), which requires emergency responders to send mental health professionals to respond to mental or behavioral health calls.

Devastating stories like these keep Evelyn Polk Green, M.S., Ed., up at night. Past president of ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association) and CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), Green says that as a mother to Black sons with ADHD, she worries about all the things that any mother of a person with ADHD worries about in a police encounter. “It’s just multiplied exponentially by all the other things that we already have to worry about on top of it,” she explains. “Unfortunately, so often law enforcement is ready to jump to the absolute worst conclusion and with Black and brown kids, it’s even worse, because they often automatically assume they’re up to something.”

Disability Awareness Training on De-escalation Techniques

Experts agree: training is the essential first step in ensuring better outcomes. “Most people call 911 when they don’t know what to do. We have to be properly equipped in that moment to handle that crisis,” says Sergeant Turner. “We are problem solvers but we have to have the tools.”

Those tools are exactly what David Whalen, project director for Niagara University First Responder Disability Awareness Training (DAT), aims to provide. The DAT is an eight-hour comprehensive training that covers victimization, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, interface with CIT, interaction skills, proper language and specific information on identifying and understanding a dozen disabilities including ADHD, autism, Tourette’s syndrome, dementia, and epilepsy.

Sergeant Turner’s disability awareness training was received during a 40-hour CIT training, required for all cadets in Texas. CIT training addresses how to support people experiencing a mental health crisis, and Turner hastens to clarify: “People with disabilities are not mentally ill, though they can have that issue as well.” Because some of the techniques (including de-escalation) overlap, disability awareness is often folded into CIT training.

Key topics include:

• Recognition of Disability: Officers learn common signs and symptoms of disabilities. Not all individuals can self-identify, and some choose not to. Proper identification of disability prevents officers from jumping to erroneous conclusions, including that the person is intoxicated, and allows for ADA accommodations.
• De-escalation Techniques, including:
  • Giving the individual space and time to respond. Many encounters with disabled individuals take a tragic turn simply because of the speed at which they unfold, creating unmanageable (and often unnecessary) distress. “You don’t always need to rush up on them,” says Turner. “You need to ask yourself, what are the risks vs. benefits of delaying action?”
  • Appropriate communication is essential. If someone with autism is distressed or experiencing sensory overwhelm, for example, a loud, commanding voice may cause further overwhelm. Adjusting tone and pace of speech, or using a pad and pen or hand signals, might be appropriate. Sometimes, Turner says, the key might be to call a family member to ask for specific guidance about support.
  • When force is unavoidable, using less lethal tools like tasers and pepper spray can save lives.
• Connect with Community Resources: Often, Whalen says, it is invaluable for officers to help individuals pursue longer-term support. Turner agrees: “We are not the experts. We just need to know who the experts are.”

“Fighting for Crumbs of Funding”

It’s clear that training works to improve outcomes. Yet there’s enormous variability in how much, if any, disability awareness training police officers receive, since it’s largely determined on a local level.  Too often, Whalen says, training only happens as a term of a settlement after a person with disability, or their family, sues the police for wrongdoing.

This was the case in Maryland; the bill that now requires disability awareness training for all police officers — through the Ethan Saylor Alliance — was created only after a 26-year-old man with Down Syndrome was killed when sheriff deputies tried to forcibly eject him from a movie theater where he neglected to buy a ticket.

“It would be beneficial to have something mandated at the national level but you have got to have the funding to support implementation,” says Leigh Anne McKingsley, senior director of Criminal Justice Initiatives at The Arc. “This issue of disability justice has been bumped down the priority list, and we’re fighting for crumbs of funding to bring about the exposure and education we need.”

Beyond Training: Community Resources

Training is crucial, but McKingsley says: “You can’t just expect training to take care of everything,” This is why, as part of its training, The Arc’s Pathway to Justice program assembles Disability Response Teams (DRT). These are multidisciplinary planning teams that bring together law enforcement, people with disabilities, attorneys, victim advocates, and disability advocates to collaborate in an open dialogue.

“The mandate is, on the day of training, the DRT starts making a plan of action moving forward,” McKingsley says. That includes brainstorming how to address the most glaring gaps in support and services both short and long term, and figuring out how to expand disability training in the community.

Sergeant Turner, who served on a DRT in 2019, agrees that bringing together police officers and people with disabilities leads to better policing. “Anytime someone calls 911, well, it’s probably not the best day of that person’s life,” Turner says. “Showing what a person with a disability looks like when they’re not in crisis is important.” Lehmann agrees: “Get-togethers with fun activities allow police officers to see the human side of disability, and they give that context.”

On the flip side, Lehmann points out, these community events help people with disabilities familiarize themselves with police officers in a calm environment, alleviating anxiety and setting the stage for better outcomes.

To truly tackle the problem though, McKingsley says, we have to understand its contours more fully, and this requires research, which is currently scarce. “Data would help us better evaluate the training, to know what strategies work and why,” he says. “The more we can show how often these encounters are happening, the more we can bolster our ability to go to local and state entities for action.”

Detained by Police? Keep This in Mind

If law enforcement stops you with questions, remember these three key pieces of advice from Rosemary Hollinger, J.D., founder of Partner Up, LLC:

1. First, pause. It’s important to not say the first thought that goes through your mind.
2. Tell the officer you have ADHD. Under the ADA, you’re entitled to reasonable accommodations, including modified questioning, fidgets, frequent breaks, and access to your medication.
3. Before you answer questions, make sure to have someone you trust, such as a lawyer or family member, with you to figure out exactly what happened. You must be truthful and accurate with police, so if you are forgetful and have time blindness, it’s essential to have a lawyer or trusted person with you to support you.

ADHD and the Risk of False Confession

Susan Young, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in London, has conducted extensive research about people with ADHD in the criminal justice system. One study in which she was involved found that people with ADHD were at an increased risk of making a false confession, and the more severe the person’s ADHD, the greater the risk.³

If police don’t recognize that an individual’s difficulty following commands, sitting still, and answering questions is a result of ADHD, they may misinterpret these behaviors as evasive and guilty, explains Young. This may cause police to detain the person for even longer, which in turn exacerbates symptoms — particularly if the person’s ADHD medication has worn off. It’s a vicious, dangerous cycle which creates desperation.

“There’s all this anxiety; they want to get out,” says Young, who adds that sometimes, people with ADHD will choose to proceed without an attorney present, because they can’t bear to extend the process at all.

“They just want to leave,” Young concludes. “And they’ll say anything.”

The study concluded that safeguards for people with ADHD must be “put in place to prevent miscarriages of justice.”

Law Enforcement and Neurodivergent Justice: Next Steps

• Read: Crime, Punishment, and Redemption for My Son with ADHD
• Q&A: Recently Diagnosed, ADA Information
• Read: ADHD Clinicians Must Consider Racial Bias in Evaluation and Treatment of Black Children
• Upcoming Webinar: AuDHD Guidance – Why Autism Is So Difficult to Diagnose in Women and Girls with ADHD

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Sources

¹ Young S, Moss D, Sedgwick O, Fridman M, Hodgkins P. A meta-analysis of the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in incarcerated populations. Psychol Med. 2015 Jan;45(2):247–58. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291714000762

²   Bureau of Justice Statistics, Disabilities Among Prison and Jail Inmates, 2011-2012 (U.S. Department of Justice, 2015), tables 4 and 5, http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/dpji1112.pdf.

³ Gudjonsson, G. H., Gonzalez, R. A., & Young, S. (2021). The Risk of Making False Confessions: The Role of Developmental Disorders, Conduct Disorder, Psychiatric Symptoms, and Compliance. Journal of Attention Disorders, 25(5), 715-723. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054719833169

ADHD traits such as distractibility and impulsivity may have benefited our ancestors as they foraged for food, and they continue to play a crucial role in how people with ADHD adapt and survive, suggests new research published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences.¹

University of Pennsylvania researchers recruited 457 study participants to play an online virtual berry-picking game. The goal was to collect as many berries as possible within eight minutes by hovering their cursor over bushes. The players could stay at a bush or move to another, which would incur a brief timeout.

Slightly less than half (45%) of the participants screened positive for symptoms consistent with an ADHD diagnosis, though this did not constitute a diagnosis because it was a self-reported assessment. Those participants spent shorter periods in each patch and achieved higher reward rates than did participants who did not exhibit ADHD traits.

The results indicated that populations with nomadic lifestyles that benefited from exploring tended to have genes associated with ADHD. Those ADHD traits continue to serve a function today.

“We speculate that ADHD serves as an adaptive specialization for foraging, thus explaining its widespread prevalence and continued persistence in the human population,” the researchers said. “This tendency to explore while foraging might extend to other behaviors such as cycling more frequently between information sources in the classroom or sources of stimulation in the home environment.”

While the study had limitations, the theory as to why ADHD exists — and prevails — may be validating for people with ADHD. Could ADHD traits needed for exploration, such as distractibility, impulsivity, or restlessness, help adults or children with ADHD adapt and thrive? Might this research help educate others about the condition? We asked ADDitude readers for their viewpoints.

“There Is Power in Understanding”

“Yes! I love this theory. I can see how flitting from berry bush to berry bush with my ‘Oooh, look over there!’ brain could have helped my clan thrive.”

“I find it very validating that we are ‘wired for survival.’”

“I absolutely think this theory can help educate others about the condition. However, it’s important not to minimize the struggles that come with ADHD because our modern world is geared toward neurotypical individuals. Put the ADHD mind in an environment it was made for (i.e., foraging), and it will thrive! We need to have a more inclusive view of ADHD and acknowledge both the struggles and the strengths.”

“I find this so validating! Our society and culture make me feel like I’m never good enough. I wish it were the norm to celebrate our unique strengths. We still have a long way to go, but I feel there’s a shift in that direction.”

“As an end-of-career psychotherapist, I got so excited when I read this research. There is power in understanding that we did (and do) indeed belong in the human circle.”

“I loved learning about this theory and that we would have been the ones to think outside the box and find solutions.”

“ADHD Traits Help Me Adapt and Thrive”

“I do feel like my ADHD traits have helped me adapt and thrive. Because of my restlessness and distractibility, I keep up with the latest information in my career. My impulsiveness has allowed me to take risks in my job and other areas of my life, which have turned out incredible (e.g., finding the love of my life, ending up in a career I never imagined that I love, etc.).”

“I travel and have moved a lot for work. If it weren’t for my ADHD, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today and okay with constantly moving and changing my environment and structure.”

“Because of my ADHD, I have a much wider knowledge base on a self-reported assessment, which is useful when searching for an innovative solution to a problem. The downside is that my ADHD traits have hindered me from becoming an expert in a single subject.”

“Theories Are Great, But Attitudes Need to Change”

“I found the theory interesting and a little validating. I’d really like to see research on the potential evolutionary advantages of two other ADHD traits: hyperfocus and time-blindness.”

“I find it somewhat validating, but more often, I wish my brain would ‘get with the times.’”

“We live in a linear world. I’ve lost out on more jobs because I couldn’t give a linear answer in a job interview and seemed scattered and disorganized. Theories are great, but it’s the attitudes out there and stereotypes that need to change.”

“We Shouldn’t Have to Justify ADHD”

“Frankly, we shouldn’t have to justify ADHD based on a theoretical evolutionary advantage. I’m sick to death of having to sell the validity of disabled people as human beings to an uncaring mainstream. To be considered ‘fully human,’ the average neurotypical person does not have to demonstrate their utility (or the utility of people who shared their traits in the ancestral environment). I don’t think it’s great advocacy to lean on this stuff heavily today.”

“The theory sounds preposterous to me. Distraction, impulsiveness, and depression ruined what might have been a productive life worth living.”

“I don’t buy into the theory at all! Being distracted or impulsive while foraging for food means I’d get eaten first by the lion while those without ADHD would have run to safety.”

“This isn’t helpful. No matter what we tell ourselves to make us feel better, ADHD is not a positive trait. The people with ADHD that we see thriving in the media are the unicorns, not the norm. It won’t help educate others, but it will be a fun fact to tell my son, who has ADHD.”

“I don’t appreciate people saying that the things I struggle with daily are an evolutionary trait or ‘superpower.’ Living in the world with ADHD is hard, and it makes my life more difficult. I wish I didn’t have ADHD.”

“This theory is only validating if it leads to improvements or advances in treatment or ways to handle ADHD symptoms. Is it going to help me get stuff done? Will it help my child succeed in school, be a competent and caring adult, and have meaningful friendships? If not, it might be interesting to think about, but otherwise, it doesn’t matter much to me.”

Sources

¹Barack, D.L., Ludwig, V.U., Parodi, F., Ahmed, N., Brannon, E.M., Ramakrishnan, A.M., and Platt, M.L. (2024). Attention Deficits Linked with Proclivity to Explore While Foraging. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.2584.

Still, I ride a motorbike every day, knowing that the only laws that I cannot defy are physics and fate. One mistake and I’m injured — or worse. It may be a dark and uneasy truth, but it’s also quite liberating.

So why is a machine that I know may maim or kill me one day such a vital part of my life?

I think it has something to do with my ADHD. Riding gives me pure peace of mind, total focus, and a rush of adrenaline. There’s a single task and purpose: To get from Point A to Point B alive. It’s urgent for the sake of everything and nothing, making every journey and movement matter with an energy that defies fatigue. There simply is no room for error and no safety net beyond my reactions and skills as a rider.

I can feel the danger in the air pushing back on me as I choose to accelerate, a quiet demonstration of the immense power beyond my daring. Nothing else matters. No distractions, just me, a little music in my ears, and the ribbon of asphalt and the obstacles on it before me as I grip an explosive rocket nestled snugly against me. It puts me right there, right on the edge of oblivion. Every. Single. Time. (It makes grocery shopping rather dramatic, too.)

[Get This Free Resource: Secrets of Your ADHD Brain]

Love at First Bike

Something about me changed after I got on my first bike at age 14. I truly loved that feeling, the rollercoaster with no end. I needed it. I obsessed about bikes for seven years until I finally persuaded my parents to let me get one. They were beautiful and dangerous, like diving eagles. I’ve since ridden bikes through tropical storms and down hellish, tattered roads — never once wishing I’d bought a car.

When my last bike was stolen and destroyed, my heart shattered. I mourned her like a lost love. I felt naked somehow like the thieves had taken more than just a vehicle, but a part of me — a part that gives me license to feel really and truly free.

Risky Behaviors Help ADHD Brains Thrive

We live in a sensible society that can feel very restrictive for people with ADHD. Our society relies on rules and a degree of moderation to function. Everything is controlled, predictable, economically prosperous, safe, and in good order. I don’t have a big problem with rules; most make a lot of sense. However, this isn’t how our ADHD brains thrive. Rules discourage the risky behaviors that are like catnip for our dopamine-starved brains.

Every Sunday, I teach one-on-one swim lessons for children with autism and ADHD. In the two years I’ve been doing it, I’ve noticed that most of my neurodivergent students quickly outstrip their neurotypical peers once they’re allowed to skip ahead and face deep water directly. I’ve been tutoring a five-year-old girl with autism who now swims 25-meter lengths. She thrives because nothing I was trained to do in standard lessons worked, so I jumped in the water with her to keep her safe. With her mother’s consent, we bypassed the centre’s depth limit (The pool manager names his headaches after me!), and I gave her tasks to do while I followed her around the deep end. She instinctively adapts to mitigate the danger. She’s perfectly capable and happy, but if I teach her at the shallow end, it’s a completely different experience, and she won’t engage.

[Get This eBook: Emotions of ADHD]

Another time, I needed to teach a student with ADHD how to tread water to ensure he could survive out of his depth. After a few lessons together, I jumped into the deep end of the pool with a float and told him to fetch the rubber duck beside me. At first, he was a bit freaked out over the depth. Then he looked into the deep and said, “Give me a minute. I’ve not got Lord Duckington yet!” He got the duck, and he trod water for a full minute. Challenging him like that forced him to innovate, which he did successfully. He’s only eight years old, but what a man.

When the only real restrictions are the irrefutable, unforgiving, and yet totally fair and logical laws of nature, it puts everything else into perspective. The laws of nature are a beautiful thing for neurotypical minds. It’s literally sink or swim. Death, or the threat thereof, provides the ultimate boundary. In doing so, it simplifies things, making the often confusing (and sometimes trivial) reality of our broad social and economic structures so much easier to rationalize and understand.

Learn to ride a motorbike or swim (safely, with witnesses, please!) a little out of your depth (safely, or at least with witnesses, please!), and you’ll see what I mean.

Risky Behaviors and ADHD: Next Steps

• Free Download: Is It Adult ADHD?
• Read: Never Enough? Why ADHD Brains Crave Stimulation
• Read: ADHD Impulsivity in Real Life

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.