Thanks to the science of ADHD we have medication which is helping people cope day to day, and for some fortunate people medication has completely changed the way they live their lives for the better.
Without science ADHD would not be classified as a disorder and we would still be stuck in the dark ages of ADHD, meaning ADDers are considered dumb, stupid, lazy, and unmotivated etc…
Without the science of ADHD some may still be spanking and punishing children in ways that are unhelpful and destructive. Science has pointed out that such corporal punishment can be detrimental to a child’s intellectual and emotional development. I may never be able to put into words how thankful I am for this type of research.
We now know that the symptoms of ADHD can be quantified, thanks to scientific research and accordingly diagnosed by qualified professionals.
I am extremely thankful to the science of ADHD!
However, I think it is very easy to get carried away with it. Some are letting the science of ADHD limit them; they insist that ADHD is what the science says it is and that’s it, that we are doomed, so get used to it. I do not agree. I believe science has moved us forward enabling people to receive treatment to improve their lives beyond the science of ADHD. Scientific research is often funded to not only identify, but also help create or discover solutions to improve the lives of those with ADHD.
Do we think for a minute that employment laws, (Americans with Disabilities Act), or effective professional treatment would be available for people with ADHD without the scientific research to back it? I know I don’t. Let’s give credit where credit is due.
Let’s not knock the scientific research of ADHD! I really don’t know too many who do that anyway, but just in case. At the same time let’s not abuse it either. Scientific research is not meant to be a trap.
Science cannot quantify the human spirit and it cannot quantify emotions, it cannot quantify imagination, hope, love and happiness or intuition. I am just saying that science has limitations and if we base our life solely around scientific facts, we are limiting ourselves in ways I do not believe are intended by scientists.
Here are two of my favorite quotes by Einstein:
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” & “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
Albert Einstein
From time to time I receive an email that asks me to scientifically quantify positive thinking in relation to ADHD. The people asking me obviously already know the answer: impossible. However, that only means science is limited in what it can quantify.
Does anyone truly believe that positive thinking doesn’t exist or that people with ADHD cannot think positively or learn to lead successful, happy lives? We are humans and not robots, therefore we all possess the human spirit, which of course is not quantifiable by science either.
So we come to the “gift of ADHD”. Can science prove that ADHD is a gift? No, it cannot, it does not and it never will. The issue really isn’t whether ADHD is a gift or not, the issue has to do with the context involved in using the term ‘gift’ in relation to ADHD and, just as importantly, one group usually doesn’t like what another group believes, especially if it is working for them (I sometimes think that’s really at issue in the debate%2
