If they have fewer children, then adequate treatment prevents the disorder, and reduces it in a population.

It is already known that treatment prevents substance abuse, criminality, and disability.

But the future belongs to the genes of the guy who is impulsive without self-controlled who has rolled in the hay with 5 or 6 insipid girls of like makeup and gotten them pregnant.

I have long told my patients that is is not a curse, a disorder, or a gift—it is just a difference, a particular aspect of a person like being short, tall, smart, dumb, coordinated, or klutzy. It is not a reason to loath oneself, to expect accomadation, to be ashamed or or proud of, just something to acknowledge and cope with. That coping might or might no include drugs.

I think everyone should get individualized instruction to optimize learning–with or without a label. I have never agreed with the silly notion that ADHD “sufferers” should get any accomodation at all in testing situations which assess how successful that learning has been. I have yet to meet the aspiring law student requesting a note insisting that his school give him longer to take a test who would agree to a binding pledge in writing that he will agree to bill clients for only half his time, or to halve his hourly rates to equalize his productivity. Nor have I seen the aspiring anesthesiologist who requests the opportunity to take tests in special distraction free areas agree that he will inform all potential patients they are accepting an increased risk of subpar performance should any distractions occur in the OR.

ADHD has a reproductive advantage, as well as a survival advantage in hunter gatherer or even agricultural societies. The growth of ADHD may best be explained by the emergence of the information society, and the regression of the other two types around the world. The reproductive advantage stems from impulsive, promiscuous sexual activity.

In my utopian fantasy, though, schools (with adequately paid teachers…dare to dream!) could do more to accommodate all students. I wonder what our workforce and our culture would look like in 20 years if quick kids weren’t held back, slow kids weren’t passed over, ADHD kids and Asperger’s kids weren’t forced into structures intended for neurotypical kids, and kids without a healthy, responsible adult in the home received adequate psychosocial support and advocacy.

I think it’s important to people to understand that limitations that this disorder places. It’s important for a child to understand the symptoms so they can learn behaviors that will help them better adapt as adults. Let me tell you–it sucks having to relearn so many of the basics of managing my life such as teaching my mind to focus.

On the other hand, if kids are tough that this is a deficiency then yes, they are going to have low self esteem. I think helping the child understand that with the limitations come rewards.

Non-ADD kids my be able to focus and pay attention. But… do they have the imagination to change the world? Richard Branson, Ty Pennington, Michael Phelps, Charles Schwab, Whoopi Goldberg; CEO and founder of Kinkos and a whole list of other ADDer’s did!

That one made me smile – even if can also be said of the “ungifted”.

Having a “gift” does not always imply ease. And a huge portion of the “struggle” has to do with your outlook/understanding/point-of-view:

http://drjshousecalls.blogspot.com/2007/02/attention-mental-health-advocates-heres.html

Most people are groomed to be workers and take instructions without challenge since they step into a classroom. ADHD is not conducive to this.

If you start a business, are an athlete or do anything that isn’t mundane then yes it is a gift.

Sadly most are stuck at a desk screaming to be free.