At a recent panel on diversity in digital media at NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute, I commented on having ADHD and how the insights from inhabiting multiple marginalized identities serve as motivation in my work to make organizations more equitable, accessible, inclusive, and just. As part of my journey, I’ve come to reframe my lived experiences as the source of my capabilities for being an inclusive writer and editor, making me more attuned to power dynamics, missing perspectives, and the people or groups most impacted by policies and decisions.
After the talk, some students approached me to share how much they enjoyed the panel with a few disclosing that they, too, had ADHD and were inspired to hear me speak openly about the advantages of being neurodivergent. ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is defined as a chronic brain condition that disrupts executive function and affects an estimated 3.1% of adults or more than 8 million in the United States. The fact that those diagnosed with ADHD can exhibit strong motivation and focus for some tasks and not others makes it commonly misunderstood as a lack of willpower or even stigmatized as laziness, when in reality ADHD is a condition resulting from involuntary changes in brain chemistry and neural communication.
With self-awareness, treatment, and support, living with this disability can be managed and its unique strengths harnessed, as evidenced by some of the famous careers of those with ADHD, from journalist Lisa Ling to Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles to talk show host Trevor Noah. As someone who is intentional in using asset framing to mitigate ableism and the harmful mental effects that can result from internalizing negative stereotypes about this condition, I’m here to honor those students I met at NYU and anyone else living with ADHD by sharing a list of strengths they can be proud of this Disability Pride Month — as well as year-round!
- We are natural innovators. Multiple studies point to the proclivity of those with ADHD for being outside-the-box thinkers, particularly when it comes to the trifecta of creative cognition: divergent thinking (the ability to brainstorm in many directions), conceptual expansion (thinking beyond the boundaries of established concepts to include novel associations), and overcoming knowledge constraints (the ability to override the influence of what is already known to allow for reimagining). Our brains are primed for original thinking, making us assets to any team looking to innovate.
- We can hyperfocus. When we are in a state of flow, we are unstoppable and can shut out distractions and maintain concentration for prolonged periods of time to get big assignments done. The key is channeling this gift toward projects that are high priority — or intentionally breaking up focus with an alarm or reminder so that you can tend to other important tasks.
- We are good in a crisis. Does your business need to pivot? Has a last-minute request come through that was needed yesterday? ADHD brains crave dopamine, a neurotransmitter and hormone that is a precursor to adrenaline. When it hits us, the effect can make us calm in intense situations and allow us to focus on problem solving, making us exceptionally responsive in emergencies.
- We understand the big picture. Due to stereotypes surrounding ADHD, many living with it have been subjected to a form of cognitive bias known as fundamental attribution error. This is the tendency to chalk up a mistake to someone’s personality or character (for example, labeling someone as “unreliable”) while underestimating the impact of situational or systemic factors that one might take into consideration for themselves (such as arriving late due to a traffic jam). However, people with ADHD are less inclined to commit this type of error because 1) we know what it feels like to be on the receiving end and 2) we naturally consider many angles!
- We are primed for growth. Boredom is the enemy of the ADHD brain. This gives us an innate drive to constantly learn and seek out new experiences. By embracing this aspect of ourselves, we can’t help but become lifelong learners. This not only enables us to thrive, but can also affirm that we have valuable insights to share.
If the above list resonates with you, do come back to it whenever you need encouragement. Remember that you bring a perspective that is unique to you, and that is something you can be proud of every day!
