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ADHD is not: innatention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and mood instability.
ADHD does not impair ability to think.
These are *distress symptoms* that occur in ADHD neurotypes.
(This is parallel to the idea that Autism is not: meltdowns, self-harm, and anti-social behaviors.
These are distress symptoms that occur in Autistic neurotypes.
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ADHD is: neural hyperconnectivity, monotropism, a neuroceptive need for novelty and variety, an interest-driven dopamine system, and varying processing styles (both bottom-up and top-down processing).
ADHD involves an abundance of attention, not a deficit of attention.
It is extremely hard to direct the attention of an ADHDer based on external expectations, but we easily hyperfocus on our own interests or more voluntary activities.
This is because our dopamine systems are interest-driven: our brains release dopamine only for things we are genuinely interested in, not for required school or work activities.
For externally required things, we tend to run on adrenaline instead.
The ADHD neurotype is genetic and involves differences in brain structure.
If the environment was absolutely perfect, with no trauma or overwhelm, an ADHD person would still be born with the ADHD neurotype.
ADHD people need supportive environments that consider the needs of their neurotype (such as more movement and more stimulation) and that provide opportunities for ADHD brains to operate from their strengths without shame and invalidation for not meeting cultural expectations.
These supports can include ADHD medication and a variety of other tools that may help an ADHDer to navigate society.
ADHD is a disability, not because ADHD is an impairment, but because ADHD neurotypes are not supported in our culture.
People with ADHD neurotypes need extensive help navigating a world constructed by neurotypical culture.
Being ADHD in a world designed for neurotypicals is extremely challenging and sometimes causes a lot of suffering.
Blaming our own brains amplifies this suffering.
Naming the source of our suffering shows us a path to relief: we need neurodivergent communities, we need neurotype friendly environments, we need liberation from systemic ableism.
Working towards these collective solutions is what the neurodiversity movement is all about.
By @traumageek , Janae Elisabeth
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