Spotlight On: Depicting ADHD (Exploring the Cause)

All too often the causes and symptoms of ADHD are misperceived, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. When depicting ADHD in your characters and storylines it is important to understand the reality that ADHD is not preventable and it is no one’s fault. The acceptance of an ADHD diagnosis can be difficult on any family and can present the opportunity for your characters to explore their family bonds and relationships. Consider the following suggestions when creating new storylines for your characters:

• The public may place blame or make inaccurate assumptions regarding those diagnosed with ADHD. When portraying this condition, it is important to understand that neither the individual nor the parent is at fault, and neither “caused” the disorder. A person is born with ADHD, even if he or she is not diagnosed until later in life.

• Research has shown that ADHD runs in families. When considering the genetic component of ADHD, it is important to resist depicting the “blame game” that often takes place in the doctor’s office, where parents argue over whose side of the family the condition came from. Instead, try to portray parents or relatives helping the child or adult to better manage ADHD using tools that they themselves have used, or perhaps that past generations of the family have used, to overcome some of the challenges associated with ADHD. Also, consider that these tips could help a family member with their own undiagnosed ADHD.

• Children and adults who are diagnosed with ADHD may be stereotyped as unintelligent. In reality, most individuals with ADHD are smart and often considered intellectually gifted. Consider portraying a character who naturally excels past his or her peers in specific subjects or tasks, despite–or possibly as a result of their ADHD diagnosis.