attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Last updatedWhat to know
Many in the educational community consider attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a disability, and it can affect an individual’s performance in school, but ADHD is not a learning disability like dysgraphia or dyslexia. It is a neurodevelopmental condition. ADHD falls under the neurodivergence umbrella alongside autism, Tourette’s syndrome, and other tic disorders.
ADHD was first described in medical texts in the late 1700s under names like “attention deficit” and “disease of attention.” Its presence in literature and art goes back even further, with Shakespeare describing one of his characters in King Henry VIII as having a “malady of attention.” “Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity” wasn’t used until 1980, when it appeared as ADD in the third edition of the DSM.
Many individuals do not show the obvious hyperactivity symptoms associated with the diagnosis. Instead, they may have inattentive-type ADHD, characterized by forgetfulness and difficulty focusing. Gender is a factor in ADHD diagnosis. Girls and women are less likely to get an ADHD diagnosis until they have reached adolescence or adulthood. Research suggests ADHD is also underdiagnosed among Black and Latino children.
ADHD involves difficulty directing one’s attention. People with ADHD are thought to have low levels of dopamine. Distractibility is the mind’s way of seeking rewarding stimuli from the environment. If an individual finds a task that is sufficiently engaging, then they may hyperfocus, a state of intense attention that can last hours, and it can be difficult to shift one’s focus away, even for necessary tasks.
The National Center on Disability and Journalism recommends asking individuals with ADHD how they would like to be described, as some use person-first language while others use identity-first language. People with ADHD can qualify for accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act. That said, some individuals in the neurodivergence community relate to ADHD as a disability and others do not, so it’s important to understand the terms the people you are writing about use to refer to themselves. Using ADHD as a noun (“X has ADHD”) rather than an adjective (“X is ADHD”) accurately portrays ADHD as a condition and not the sum total of a person or their experiences.
Additional resources
- How not to speak to someone with ADHD (Verywell mind)
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity. People with ADHD can qualify for accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act. That said, some individuals in the neurodivergence community relate to ADHD as a disability and others do not, so it’s important to understand the terms the people you are writing about use to refer to themselves. Using ADHD as a noun (“X has ADHD”) rather than an adjective (“X is ADHD”) accurately portrays ADHD as a condition and not the sum total of a person or their experiences.