Dr Fleur-Michelle Coiffait
Consultant Clinical Psychologist Specialised in Neurodiversity
October is ADHD Awareness Month so we’d like to use this opportunity to challenge some misconceptions about ADHD.
ADHD is when someone can’t pay attention
Even the diagnostic term ADHD, which stands for ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ is misleading. ADHD is not a lack of attention, it is difficulty giving your attention to the things you need to, at the time you need to, for as long as you need to.
ADHD means you’re hyperactive
There are two types of ADHD, which means that you don’t necessarily need to be fidgety and struggling to sit still in order to be formally identified as having ADHD. Hyperactivity isn’t just moving around all the time, it also encompasses having a restless mind and an internal drive to be busy.
ADHD just affects kids
The proportion of children formally diagnosed with ADHD is higher than the figures for adults, however this is partly due to ADHD only being recognised as an adult diagnosis in the latest versions of the diagnostic manuals that were revised around a decade ago. More adults are realising that they may have ADHD and are seeking assessment for this.
ADHD appears to be a new trend
More people are talking about and becoming aware of ADHD, which we view as a positive change. A thorough, robust assessment of ADHD can help someone explore with an experienced practitioner whether ADHD is the best explanation for an individual’s experiences, or whether there is something else going on that makes more sense.
Our team of clinicians at Spectrum.Life are experienced and skilled in working with neurodiversity, including team members who have direct experience of neurodivergence through their own or loved ones’ neurodivergence. We are passionate about putting neurodivergent experiences at the heart of what we do and offer truly collaborative, neuroaffirmative explorations of ADHD and autism for children, young people and adults. We also offer wider solutions to help you understand, champion and promote neurodiversity and neurodivergence within your organisation.