Heath Shaw's ADHD Experience AFL star Heath Shaw was diagnosed with ADHD in Year 8 after experiencing learning and behavioral issues. Shaw is also an Ambassador for ADHD Australia.
Nottingham-born ex-footballer Jermain Pennant has revealed that before his diagnosis with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) he feared for his relationship. The former Stoke, Birmingham and Liverpool player said that he was very difficult to live with.
A surprising number of professional athletes have attention deficit disorder (ADHD). In fact, an estimated eight to ten percent of all pro athletes have the condition, as compared to four to five percent of the general population of adults.
Mia Freeman, Em Rusciano and Abbie Chatfield are among a growing list of high profile women revealing ADHD diagnoses.
Around 1 in every 20 Australians has ADHD. While ADHD is more common in boys — it's under diagnosed in girls and adults.
ADHD: a disabling condition
It is recognized as a disability under the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act.
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.
These may include hyperfocus, resilience, creativity, conversational skills, spontaneity, and abundant energy. Many people view these benefits as “superpowers” because those with ADHD can hone them to their advantage. People with ADHD have a unique perspective that others may find interesting and valuable.
Bill Gates, born in 1955 is the founder of Microsoft, and has a net worth of $103.2 billion. He also chairs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest private charitable foundation which has so far donated $35.8 billion to charity. Bill Gates, is known to have ADHD.
“Basketball, hockey and soccer are sports where the athletes are almost always moving and there's very little idle time,” Dr. Pollack explains. “That constant motion provides a good outlet for the athletes to use their energy, and having less idle team means they are less likely to become distracted.”
“Common symptoms of ADHD may enhance athletic performance. Some athletes with ADHD naturally excel in baseball and basketball, which involve quick movements and reactive decision-making, due to these athletes' inherent impulsivity.
In fact, many experts believe ADHD to actually be an advantage in athletics. An easy time switching between tasks, strength in high-energy situations, an ability to thrive under pressure, high propensity for risk taking, and more can be seen as positives of the disorder, when it comes to sports.
'I left destruction in my path': Jermaine Pennant thought he was 'lunatic' and damaged his career and relationships before 'life-changing' ADHD diagnosis. Jermaine Pennant has revealed he felt like a 'lunatic' for making a string of destructive decisions before being diagnosed with ADHD.
Former Liverpool footballer Jermaine Pennant has opened up about his diagnosis with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and how it has helped his relationship, in a new interview.
ADHD Prevalence in Adults
The worldwide prevalence of adult ADHD is estimated at 2.8 percent, according to a 2020 study. Prevalence estimates for adult ADHD in the U.S. vary. One 2019 study estimates an adult ADHD prevalence of 0.96 percent – doubling from 0.43 percent a decade prior.
A popular misconception is that all children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are naturally smarter and have a higher IQ than children without ADHD. However, there is no correlation between this condition and intelligence.
The mind of a person with ADHD is full of the minutiae of life (“Where are my keys?” “Where did I park the car?”), so there is little room left for new thoughts and memories. Something has to be discarded or forgotten to make room for new information. Often the information individuals with ADHD need is in their memory…
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.
The five gifts of ADHD include creativity, emotional sensitivity, exuberance, interpersonal empathy, and being nature-smart (The Gift of Adult ADD, 2008).
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.
Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
People with ADHD will have at least two or three of the following challenges: difficulty staying on task, paying attention, daydreaming or tuning out, organizational issues, and hyper-focus, which causes us to lose track of time. ADHD-ers are often highly sensitive and empathic.