“My son was just diagnosed with ADHD. I am thankful to finally have answers and an explanation for a lot of the things his teachers and I were seeing, but I feel really down about this and worry that this will mean roadblocks for his future” – a concerned mother.

As an elementary school Social Worker, working at a public elementary school in New York, I have worked with many students who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

The first thing I tell parents is that the diagnosis of ADHD is not a behavioral problem or something a child can outgrow, but a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects brain structure and function, caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

You may notice that your child has trouble sitting still, remembering things, completing tasks, and following multi-step directions.

But, you may also recognize your child’s amazing ability to hyperfocus on preferred tasks and complete them with brilliance, or their many creative ideas, passion for things that excite them, or contagious energy that makes them likeable by many.

I think as a parent, it is important to recognize that although ADHD may seem like a daunting diagnosis, there are actually many incredible things that an ADHD brain can do and many famous and successful creatives and business leaders have also been diagnosed with ADHD.

Having a positive mindset as a parent can help you relate to your child and promote a “can-do” attitude, that will then transfer to their academic and personal successes.

Remember, impulsivity can be seen as creativity and hyperactivity is energy…

…and distractibility can be seen as curiosity!

Further Reading: ‘9 Ways to Focus with ADHD’ (Attention Deficit Disorder Association)

Author: Yuni Hahn (LMSW)