ADHD: Is it really a problem?

[dougskiles]

I have long believed that our schools are biased toward the kids with longer attention spans.  The kids with the ability to rapidly change their focus and take input from many different senses are considered a problem.  We have even created a name for it, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  I know many kids with this diagnosis - and they are some of the most creative, intelligent kids I have the pleasure of being around.  They can also be some of the most frustrating kids to be around.

What concerns me though, is that we are trying to change who they are to fit the mold of the learning system we created.  I would like to see more effort changing the learning system to fit these amazing minds.  Some of these kids are the ones who will go on to solve some of our most challenging problems because of their unique ability.

Here is an article from the Wall Street Journal by Jonah Lehrer:

Bother Me, I'm Thinking
Why you should drop that espresso and bounce a ball instead

We live in a time that worships attention. When we need to work, we force ourselves to focus, to stare straight ahead at the computer screen. There's a Starbucks on seemingly every cornerâ€"caffeine makes it easier to concentrateâ€"and when coffee isn't enough, we chug Red Bull.

In fact, the ability to pay attention is considered such an essential life skill that the lack of it has become a widespread medical problem. Nearly 10% of American children are now diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In recent years, however, scientists have begun to outline the surprising benefits of not paying attention. Sometimes, too much focus can backfire; all that caffeine gets in the way. For instance, researchers have found a surprising link between daydreaming and creativityâ€"people who daydream more are also better at generating new ideas. Other studies have found that employees are more productive when they're allowed to engage in "Internet leisure browsing" and that people unable to concentrate due to severe brain damage actually score above average on various problem-solving tasks.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Memphis and the University of Michigan extends this theme. The scientists measured the success of 60 undergraduates in various fields, from the visual arts to science. They asked the students if they'd ever won a prize at a juried art show or been honored at a science fair. In every domain, students who had been diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder achieved more: Their inability to focus turned out to be a creative advantage.

And this lesson doesn't just apply to people with a full-fledged disorder. A few years ago, scientists at the University of Toronto and Harvard gave a short mental test to 86 Harvard undergraduates. The test was designed to measure their ability to ignore irrelevant stimuli, such as the air-conditioner humming in the background or the conversation taking place nearby. This skill is typically seen as an essential component of productivity, since it keeps people from getting distracted by extraneous information.

Here's where the data get interesting: Those undergrads who had a tougher time ignoring unrelated stuff were also seven times more likely to be rated as "eminent creative achievers" based on their previous accomplishments. (The association was particularly strong among distractible students with high IQs.)

According to the scientists, the inability to focus helps ensure a richer mixture of thoughts in consciousness. Because these people struggled to filter the world, they ended up letting everything in. They couldn't help but be open-minded.

Such lapses in attention turn out to be a crucial creative skill. When we're faced with a difficult problem, the most obvious solutionâ€"that first idea we focus onâ€"is probably wrong. At such moments, it often helps to consider far-fetched possibilities, to approach the task from an unconventional perspective. And this is why distraction is helpful: People unable to focus are more likely to consider information that might seem irrelevant but will later inspire the breakthrough. When we don't know where to look, we need to look everywhere.

This doesn't mean, of course, that attention isn't an important mental skill, or that attention-deficit disorders aren't a serious problem. There's clearly nothing advantageous about struggling in the classroom, or not being able to follow instructions. (It's also worth pointing out that these studies all involve college students, which doesn't tell us anything about those kids with ADHD who fail to graduate from high school. Distraction might be a cognitive luxury that not everyone can afford.)

Nevertheless, this new research demonstrates that, for a certain segment of the population, distractibility can actually be a net positive. Although we think that more attention can solve everythingâ€"that the best strategy is always a strict focus fueled by triple espressosâ€"that's not the case. Sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is surf the Web and eavesdrop on that conversation next door.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703584804576144192132144506.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

[simms3]

I guess there is apparently research here, but I'm not buying it.  I think creativity is such a broad word.  Different people will be creative with different types of tasks and different jobs, and creativity requires thinking, which requires concentration.  I always thought that ADHD and ADD were simple excuses, personally speaking.  I used to be jealous of all my friends on Adderall and my parents would never let me get a prescription myself, and now there is overwhelming evidence that Adderall actually has averse effects on creativity/thinking/the brain.  That, and looking back, I think my parents were right about many things regarding ADD.  For instance, when I was younger I was barely ever allowed to watch the TV.  I was made to go outside and I daydreamed plenty out there.  All my friends with ADD/ADHD were always the ones that had the tv in their bedroom, the personal computer before everyone else, etc etc.  Daydreaming?  It didn't seem like they much did.

Bottom line, there are lots of times when a kid is young that he needs to just sit down, chill out, and pay attention.  Those ADD kids maybe really can't do that, but I believe that it's a symptom of overstimulation at a young age and I can tell you my ADD friends weren't big "daydreamers" and nor are they top stars today (many of them at least...some "outgrew" the ADD).

And once again...that word creative is way too general.  Ask someone who is working in their dream field to brainstorm ideas for a new business plan or marketing or whatever and that person will come up with great, creative ideas whether or not that person is considered "creative" or improvisational or not.  Ask someone who hates their life or what they do to come up with ideas and you won't get far.  And in high school, I remember taking Studio Art throughout the school, and most of us wouldn't be considered "creative" by those who define that word as someone who is artsy/ADD/whatever they think that word means and everyone in that class was as creative as anyone I have ever met.  Some of the most "un-creative" non-ADD people came up with the coolest ideas for various projects.

Some examples of companies that require creativity for their job:

The Container Store: hires people who are organizers (ADD not required)
Google: hires computer geniuses who can sit down and concentrate for hours at a time as well as brainstorm in a group (ADD discouraged there, but they have free time for employees who need a break)
Apple: same as Google

I mean really, the bottom line is ADD is potentially real, but it ain’t a good thing.  Even daydreaming requires attention on one idea to let the daydream flow on, and people with ADD/ADHD can’t do that.  They need stimulation.  I mean if they get distracted by an AC unit or a bird chirping, how are they going to sit on the swingset for 30 minutes and dream about stuff without getting distracted?  Now that I have done some analyzing of this on my own just writing my thoughts, if I ever have my own company, people with ADD will not be allowed!  (barring any EEO statutes)

[Dog Walker]

I have a good friend who is now in his late forties.  He has had attention deficit disorder all his life; still does.  He is creative and intelligent and has had his own successful business for years.

We walked into Best Buy one day; into the noise and murmurer of a dozen different electronic devices all going at once.  He stopped and said, "That is what the inside of my head sounds like when I don't take my medication."  Scary!

[dougskiles]

As with everything, there are varying levels.  For some it so disruptive to them that they have difficulty with any basic task.  For others, it limits their ability to function in areas that require prolonged concentration.  But for many, it is a matter of finding a lifestyle that is suited to an ability to rapidly change focus.

Now that I have done some analyzing of this on my own just writing my thoughts, if I ever have my own company, people with ADD will not be allowed!  (barring any EEO statutes)

Simms3, I hope you become a little more tolerant of those with ADHD in the future.   I think your company would miss out on some very talented people.  But I understand where your general point of view is coming from; it is one I shared until family members were diagnosed with it and I began to see it from an entirely different perspective.  I'm still not crazy about using medication for treatment but I also recognize that there is so much about it that I don't understand.

It really goes back to my general frustration with our 'one-size-fits-all' education system and use of standardized tests as a means for comparing student/teacher performance.

[Springfielder]

Yes, ADHD can and often is a problem...it's not that the school system is biased when it comes to children that can stay focused and learn...which is a really odd thing to say. Yes, it makes it much easier to teach, when the student is actually focused and paying attention.

It's not just a kid being able to rapidly change their attention, as you suggest, it's more that they cannot stay focused long enough to actually learn. It's like a constant movement in fragments for many of these kids. It's not a positive, and if it's not controlled, it's a major hindrance. of course, there's varying levels, where one can learn to adapt and control on their own, to where medication is needed to help.

You're right, in that it's an over-stimulation...but it's from within the brain and not stimulation from ones home life or anything like that. That's why medication often helps tremendously, and quite often, those who take it can suddenly focus and most times become a more successful person. It's also known that many more or less outgrow the need for medication (not all) and as they mature, learn to control their impulsiveness.

[Garden guy]

I have a good friend who is now in his late forties.  He has had attention deficit disorder all his life; still does.  He is creative and intelligent and has had his own successful business for years.

We walked into Best Buy one day; into the noise and murmurer of a dozen different electronic devices all going at once.  He stopped and said, "That is what the inside of my head sounds like when I don't take my medication."  Scary!

i know exactly what hes talking about..i too am in my forties and have delt with this my whole life..i was just called hyper and i just deal with it..i got my ass whipped and had to be told over and over and over and pretty much nail to the chair but i survived and my mother who was tough and patient..i got no boo hoo my baby..she told me to stick at it and anything can be done.

[BridgeTroll]

Thanks for the insight...

[KenFSU]

Yes, it makes it much easier to teach, when the student is actually focused and paying attention.

It's not just a kid being able to rapidly change their attention, as you suggest, it's more that they cannot stay focused long enough to actually learn. It's like a constant movement in fragments for many of these kids. It's not a positive, and if it's not controlled, it's a major hindrance. of course, there's varying levels, where one can learn to adapt and control on their own, to where medication is needed to help.

My wife is a teacher, and I've spent much time helping in the classroom. Regardless of the cause (there have been some interesting new studies linking diet with attention deficit), a student with even moderate ADHD that isn't treated not only has a very tough time focusing and staying still, but also becomes a major distraction for the rest of the class. To answer the question posed in the post title, yes, it really is a problem. And it's a problem that effects everyone. I've seen firsthand how much these kids can improve scholastically when put on medication. And conversely, I've also seen how it can kind of turn the kids into zombies as well. It's not an easy situation, and personally, I feel like it does a major disservice to those suffering with ADHD to imply that it isn't a legit medical condition and/or problem. People try to do the same thing with conditions like depression and anxiety, which only serves to make people feel like there is something personally, rather than medically, wrong with them.

[Springfielder]

I've also seen first hand, the problems ADHD causes with a child. If the child is medicated properly, there's absolutely no reason to become zombie-like...and if they are, then the meds need to be adjusted. It's only supposed to help them focus.

[Shwaz]

Simms, the article isn't claiming that ADHD is an advantage for all that are diagnosed with the disorder...

Here's where the data get interesting: Those undergrads who had a tougher time ignoring unrelated stuff were also seven times more likely to be rated as "eminent creative achievers" based on their previous accomplishments. (The association was particularly strong among distractible students with high IQs.)

This doesn't mean, of course, that attention isn't an important mental skill, or that attention-deficit disorders aren't a serious problem. There's clearly nothing advantageous about struggling in the classroom, or not being able to follow instructions. (It's also worth pointing out that these studies all involve college students, which doesn't tell us anything about those kids with ADHD who fail to graduate from high school. Distraction might be a cognitive luxury that not everyone can afford.)

Maybe you got distracted while reading the article? 

[Jason]

I am experiencing ADHD first hand, as my 11 year old son was been diagnosed a few years back and is recieving medication.  He is quite sharp and learns extremely well, however, his focus in completing tasks is his weakness.  As a 6th grader in honors classes he has no problem learing the information fed to him.  He also has no problem daydreaming, doodling, playing with his eraser, etc instead of staying on task.  In the afternoons and evenings when its time to do homework it is a constant struggle to keep him on task (medication or not), though some days are a breeze depending on his mood.

He is a very bright young man and one of the more creative kids I've been around, yet we continue to have to pound in the work ethic and help develop his ability to focus.  I'm sure as he continues to mature and learns more about the consequences of laziness that he'll start to correct his focus issues on his own thereby eliminating the need for medication.  That is where our jobs as parents come into play.  There is nothing wrong with getting a little help from some medicine to ensure our children are prepared for life, however, it has to be supported by strong parenting and patience.

[Springfielder]

There is nothing wrong with getting a little help from some medicine to ensure our children are prepared for life, however, it has to be supported by strong parenting and patience.

Amen to that! I commend parents that take such an active role in rearing and guiding their children...thumbs up to you for this!

[Jason]

Thanks!  It is tough at times but my wife and I know it will pay dividends when he is out on his own versus mooching off of us until he is 30!

[cityimrov]

Regardless of the cause (there have been some interesting new studies linking diet with attention deficit), a student with even moderate ADHD that isn't treated not only has a very tough time focusing and staying still, but also becomes a major distraction for the rest of the class. To answer the question posed in the post title, yes, it really is a problem. And it's a problem that effects everyone. I've seen firsthand how much these kids can improve scholastically when put on medication.

Define "focusing" and define "major distraction".  What should they be focusing on that they aren't focusing on?  What are they being distracted by that they shouldn't be distracted by?  Are you basically saying that because a child cannot focus on the environment they are in at the moment, they need to be medicated to be able to be focused on the environment they are in?

So if the child is looking at the chair across the room and is interested in learning about how that chair is built, how it's standing up, why it's there - they aren't doing as well as the kid who is listening to the teacher who is having the class do multiplication problems where they required to "show their work" to solve a problem the way the teacher wants and only that way the teacher wants?

I would propose a true education system would have the teacher ask the child what he's looking at (the chair) and then have the teacher talk about the chair thus allowing that child insight on why that chair can stand the way it does and why it doesn't fall over.  That would teach that child some math as well as physics!  If that child is pondering why that chair's design is that way, the teacher can then talk about design and artists around the world and the human eye and how it chooses symmetrical objects as beauty.  That would teach the child some art, psychology, and history!  

P.S. I'm sorry, this is a little pet peeve of mine.  I didn't mean to attack anyone.  There is literally, THOUSANDS of ways do math and there are THOUSANDS of ways to write a story and THOUSANDS of ways to do things in our world.  In our school system, we teach ONE method to do thing and only that ONE method and if you don't do that ONE method, your a complete FAILURE in the eyes of the system.  

It's hard to tell if ADHD is a problem when the way we teach our kids is a problem in itself.  The only way we can if ADHD is a problem is to fix the education system problem FIRST, then we can see how much a problem the ADHD is.  

My opinion my not matter much to anyone here but at least listen to this guy (Neil deGrasse Tyson) by watching these two videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCFWVocrnDA  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hig74yhS3SA

[KenFSU]

Regardless of the cause (there have been some interesting new studies linking diet with attention deficit), a student with even moderate ADHD that isn't treated not only has a very tough time focusing and staying still, but also becomes a major distraction for the rest of the class. To answer the question posed in the post title, yes, it really is a problem. And it's a problem that effects everyone. I've seen firsthand how much these kids can improve scholastically when put on medication.

Define "focusing" and define "major distraction".  What should they be focusing on that they aren't focusing on?  What are they being distracted by that they shouldn't be distracted by?  Are you basically saying that because a child cannot focus on the environment they are in at the moment, they need to be medicated to be able to be focused on the environment they are in?

So if the child is looking at the chair across the room and is interested in learning about how that chair is built, how it's standing up, why it's there - they aren't doing as well as the kid who is listening to the teacher who is having the class do multiplication problems where they required to "show their work" to solve a problem the way the teacher wants and only that way the teacher wants?

I would propose a true education system would have the teacher ask the child what he's looking at (the chair) and then have the teacher talk about the chair thus allowing that child insight on why that chair can stand the way it does and why it doesn't fall over.  That would teach that child some math as well as physics!  If that child is pondering why that chair's design is that way, the teacher can then talk about design and artists around the world and the human eye and how it chooses symmetrical objects as beauty.  That would teach the child some art, psychology, and history!  

My opinion my not matter much to anyone here but at least listen to this guy (Neil deGrasse Tyson) by watching these two videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCFWVocrnDA  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hig74yhS3SA

First of all, I'm a huge Neil DeGrasse Tyson fan. He just spoke in Jacksonville a few months back. It was awesome.

To briefly answer your question, when I say that students are distractions to the rest of the class, I don't mean that they are looking at chairs and wondering about how it is built. I mean that they are pounding on their desks, blurting out repeatedly, standing up randomly and walking around the classroom, singing during instruction, etc. I see it all the time when I help out in the classroom, year after year. It's weird too, almost uncomfortable, as I never saw anything close to this when I was in elementary school. It leads to real difficulty in keeping the rest of the class on task when one or two students literally cannot keep still.

Like I mentioned, there's no easy solution. I will say this though, as insensitive as it may sound, the needs of the many have to outweigh the needs of the few. When you're trying to teach kids to read and write, you can't bring the lesson to a sudden halt for 18 students who are on track so that you can explain how a chair works to a student who can't focus. At least not on a regular basis. It would be great for that one kid, but it would come at the detriment of 18 other students.

I'm definitely not suggesting that these children all need to be medicated. That is a DEEPLY personal decision that can rest only in the hands of the child's parents. I do think that teachers should definitely be part of the discussion, as they often spend more time with the child than the parents do, but at the end of the day, it's your kid, your decision.

It's a real problem that seems to be getting worse, and I'm not really sure what the solution is.