Is ADHD a Neurodivergent?

Some of the conditions that are most common among those who describe themselves as neurodivergent include: Autism spectrum disorder (this includes what was once known as Asperger's syndrome). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Down syndrome.

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Is ADHD neurodivergent or neurodiverse?

People with ADHD can experience impulsivity, hyperactivity, distractedness, and difficulty following instructions and completing tasks. Since 1994, experts have used the term "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder" to refer to neurodivergence that affects attention and concentration.

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Can ADHD be considered neurodivergent?

Yes. ADHD can be considered neurodivergent because it's a neurodevelopmental disorder that changes how you think and process information. Scientists believe these differences are due to the unique structure and chemistry of the ADHD brain.

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Is ADHD and anxiety neurodivergent?

“With this definition, anxiety can be considered a form of neurodivergence, although it may not be as commonly recognized as ADHD, autism, or trauma,” she says.

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Am I neurodivergent or just weird?

You absolutely are neurodivergent if you have been diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or Tourette's syndrome. You may decide to consider yourself neurodivergent if you have no diagnosis but think, behave, or interact in ways that are outside the norm.

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What Exactly is Neurodiversity?

29 related questions found

How can I tell if I'm neurodivergent?

Common signs and symptoms of being neurodivergent
  • Information processing variances. Neurodivergent individuals may process information uniquely, displaying strengths in certain areas and challenges in others. ...
  • Enhanced perceptual abilities. ...
  • Intense focus and attention.

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Do people with ADHD think faster?

Executive functions have other roles which affect how someone thinks. In people with ADHD, these executive dysfunctions impact thinking in numerous ways. People with ADHD don't really think faster than people without it, but it can sometimes seem like they do. People with ADHD do think differently though, in a sense.

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Do ADHD brains develop slower?

Brain Structure

The largest review ever of ADHD patient brain scans was carried out at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and published in 2018. Parts of the ADHD brain mature at a slower pace (approximately one to three years) and never reach the maturity of a person who does not have ADHD.

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What is ADHD brain like?

Research shows that in people with ADHD, some brain regions become “hyperactive,” whereas other brain regions are “hypoactive.” This suggests that there may be a problem with the brain's computing capacity to appropriately meet the cognitive demand of the task.

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Why are people calling ADHD neurodivergent?

It refers to the concept that certain developmental disorders are normal variations in the brain. And people who have these features also have certain strengths. For example, people with ADHD may have trouble with time management. But they often show high levels of passion, drive, and creative thinking.

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Are you born with ADHD?

Genetics. ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.

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Does ADHD count as a disability?

Yes, ADHD is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). There are several types of disabilities, including but not limited to: learning disability. cognitive disability.

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Are people with ADHD on the spectrum?

Autism spectrum disorder and ADHD are related in several ways. ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.

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What are the strengths of having ADHD?

People living with ADHD may have a variety of skills and abilities beyond those of their neurotypical counterparts. These may include hyperfocus, resilience, creativity, conversational skills, spontaneity, and abundant energy.

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Are people with ADHD messy?

They keep their things fairly organized and try to avoid making a mess. But many kids and adults with ADHD are the opposite — they're messy most of the time. And it can cause problems at home, school, and work. For example, kids might miss a field trip because the permission slip got lost in their overflowing backpack.

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Can ADHD hinder IQ?

Even though ADHD and high IQ do coexist, ADHD symptoms can interfere with IQ testing. A 2015 study of 4,771 pairs of twins demonstrated the connection between ADHD symptoms and lower IQ scores. ADHD can also interfere with individual areas of performance, such as executive functioning.

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What age is ADHD hardest?

Usually, the most difficult times for persons with ADHD are their years from middle school through the first few years after high school. Those are the years when students are faced with the widest range of tasks to do and the least opportunity to escape from the tasks that they struggle with or find to be boring.

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Are people with ADHD childlike?

That's because kids with ADHD are less mature than their peers. That's what ADHD is: an immaturity of the brain's infrastructure. That immaturity impacts a child's executive functions , including attention and self-control. If a child is much younger than others in his grade, he may appear even more immature.

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Do ADHD people have higher IQ?

However, there is no correlation between this condition and intelligence. In fact, according to one study , ADHD affects people in the same way across high, average, and low IQ score ranges. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can make it difficult for people to focus and to control impulsive behaviors.

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Do people with ADHD fall in love harder?

Falling in love can be an emotional roller coaster for most teens. But for teenagers with ADHD, symptoms like impulsivity or trouble managing emotions can make falling in love or starting a relationship an even bumpier ride. That said, not all kids with ADHD struggle in the same way, or to the same degree.

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Can a brain scan see ADHD?

Brain MRI is a new and experimental tool in the world of ADHD research. Though brain scans cannot yet reliably diagnose ADHD, some scientists are using them to identify environmental and prenatal factors that affect symptoms, and to better understand how stimulant medications trigger symptom control vs. side effects.

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Can I self diagnose myself as neurodivergent?

The vast majority of neurodivergent adults are self-diagnosed in the first instance: in other words, we figure things out for ourselves, do the research and then go looking for a professional to confirm it.

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Should I tell people I'm neurodivergent?

You want to prioritize your needs and comfort throughout your life. If you don't want to tell everyone you meet about your disabilities, that is totally okay, and no one is going to be upset. You come first in this conversation, so do what makes you happy. Neurodiversity can be a conversation in many people's lives.

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Why do I feel like I'm neurodivergent?

Neurodivergent is a non-medical term for when someone's brain processes, learns or behaves differently from what is considered “typical.” Neurodiverse people think, process thoughts and experiences, and interact with the world around us in a unique way.

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