Rethinking ADHD: More than meets the eye. | Kathleen Nadeau | TEDxLizardCreek

Shaping the Unseen - focusing on that which others cannot see - our hopes, dreams, fears, ambition, I will be talking about my journey as a professional in developing a very different understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, while, at the same time, I gradually gained a realization that I have ADHD as well. My presentation will focus on developing a very different understanding of ADHD, currently viewed as a “disability,” hoping to encourage the audience to develop a very different understanding of those with ADHD including their very real gifts that have already contributed so much to our American culture - gifts including creativity and entrepreneurial talents - gifts which today remain trepidation, joy unseen, but which I hope to help bring into the light.
Psychologist, Director of the Chesapeake ADHD Center, author
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@djamiljo93]

If you have adhd watch this at 1.5 speed

[@nevernotsnoozing6972]

djamiljo93 lol I did the same .. thanks!!

[@maxvahling3832]

I do that a lot with talks but this one was okay for me. Okay, I did some side fidgeting...

[@michaelplace]

You're AMAZING!! Thank you so much! Never knew that was an option!

[@Lt.WalterTull]

Haha. Thanks for this advice 😂 There are so many videos on ADHD which are 'Non-ADHD friendly' playing at 1.5x speed makes a massive difference

[@user-tn3es2yq9q]

WTTTTF i do how u know

[@attatudy]

Im reading comments while listening to this talk. lol. I can't stay focused enough to watch her but Im hearing her and writing this. I find procrastination is my worst ADHD symptom along with distraction .

[@goldenglowladore3842]

Reading comments while listening/watching videos are my norm. Often I turn up the video playback speed to 1.75x's.

[@lftd187]

I was on a string of ADHD videos when I landed on this one. I made it 5 minutes 8 seconds in before I had a thought about a song and that turned into an insatiable need to listen to music. I've done so probably for about an hour, I'm not too sure because I lost track of time. I'm back now after writing this comment. ADHD is frustrating but sometimes fun.

[@elizabethkelsey8087]

I so appreciate how she is able to reframe what society demonizes about us and instead shows how indeed, ADHDers have tremendous value to offer. We're just misunderstoond and not given the type of education and treatment that's right for us. It can be so isolating and demeaning to constantly be told by people you're a lazy slob that can't get it together. Maybe that's true for me on the one hand, but on the other, I devoted my life to traveling all over the world and learning as much as I could from the people I met, as well as being the best mother I can be to my daughter. Maybe I don't have a ton of money or a traditional job, but I'm fine with that.

[@MaddieFrankX]

I've worked as a music producer, male model, singer, performer, comedian, data analyst, programmer, salesman, travel agent, barista, bartender, and I was really good in all of them. I was only fired once because I was always late and my boss fired me with tears in his eyes because he didn't want to let me go but the decision had come from upper management, and in all my other jobs they tolerated my lack of punctuality because I was really good at them and I was the one who decided to quit and move on to another thing because I stopped felling comfortable in the environment I was, the job had got unbearably monotonous and boring, or simply I decided to pursue another career path that at that moment interested me more. Furthermore; I'm also an excellent home cook. Yes, we have a lot to offer and we can also be really fun to be around with. At some point in my life I decided that if success comes along it will be very welcome, but I won't destroy my own happiness in order to pursue it. As you said, maybe I don't make a ton of money, but I'm fine with that and I'm glad I had all these different experiences.

[@vonhummie]

Watching this makes me frustrated of all the unispiring people i've met in my life who do not understand this condition and misinterpret it completely. The list just goes on and on and on... :(

[@user-bz9le6yp9k]

As an ADHD, her enthusiasm looks great, even just from the thumbnail. I skipped too much, but I still appreciate this.

[@portland17A]

Several studies were done in the 70s and afterwards comparing kids in "open classrooms" (where kids get to move around and have more options for their activities, and are not told to start and stop nearly so often) with "normal classrooms," and "ADHD" diagnosed kids do WAY better in open classrooms. In one study, teachers could not identify the diagnosed kids in an open classroom, but were almost 100% accurate in identifying a matched set of controls in a regular classroom. So put an "ADHD" kid in an open classroom, and they look like any other kid! We did this with our kids, and both are successful adults who graduated with honors from their respective high schools, without a milligram of stimulants ever being administered. This talk is right on target. We're trying to have fish swim the 100 yard dash on land and feeling sorry for them that they're "disabled." Put the fish back in the water and see who wins the race!

[@Hair-today]

do some more research, you are simply a wealthy idividual.

[@ernst2k]

As a guy with the diagnosis myself, I like this way of thinking about the condition. I'm sure that if more people would think about ADHD like this (seeing the possibilities, not the limits), that the world would be a better place -- and not just for us with the diagnoais, but for "ordinary" people as well. Great talk!

[@brandydinsmore8214]

Barkley is totally against positive attributes found through adhd and our ability to get around obstacles.

[@DR34DL0RDD43DRA]

I both laugher and cried watching this video. Thank you Dr. Nadeau; you have absolutely no idea how much I needed to hear what you had to say. (16-APR-2020)

[@entigostimecapsule.]

Where are you from?

[@ennov9349]

I see the positive aspects of having ADHD and I love them. I travelled the world and had great adventures, I am very creative and also have a masters degree. However I literally burned my research for the master thesis by accident, did not pay for internet so they turned it of just 3 days before my thesis was due. I almost burned down my house. And in addition I keep putting myself in very dangerous situations. I counted all the incidents were I almost died, and I had to sort it by country , event and by what. For example almost drowning in India , lost in the jungle in Indonesia, lost in snow on a mountain in Italy, almost getting ra.ed in a forest in Newzealand, kidnapped in Columbia. And I did not escape all of these Incidents unharmed. I have a messy house ... it was ok... until there were mice that I did not recognize until there were many. For me the downside of ADHD was traumatic. Now I take meds and I am relieved.

[@goldenglowladore3842]

I relate. I can't til we find a med that works for me. The med so far 3 haven't helped. Trying non-stimulant types next.

[@ennov9349]

@@goldenglowladore3842 Hey , I hope you find something that works soon. Wish you all the best.

[@davibramplin2671]

Excellent talk, very informative. I watched because I think I have it, I am 62 Yrs old. I am definitely Dyslexic, and that is my only gripe - the speed at which your text is taken down. One area that I have not seen any research done in is in "Older people", those for whom "Studying" or "Work" is in the past.

[@ObiWanBillKenobi]

14:25 “There are no rules here-we’re trying to accomplish something.” -Thomas A. Edison

[@Pouquiloury]

Yay!

[@sandhya1303]

Thank you for this video, I never thought of my brain like this until now. Focusing on the positives and trying to work with what you have is much better than always trying to change who you are

[@lidu6363]

I absolutely love this talk. I wish I would have found out about these informations sooner in my life...

[@fourocker]

Outgrow it LOL, I'm 55 years old and just diagnosed after a lifetime of struggle to conform, it's not a disability at all, I believe it's actually how we're supposed to be if we could have a truly free lifestyle, with all our own choices not having to be pigeon-holed and conform to what others say, we use both brain hemispheres at the same time ie: using logic with creativity, it's a lot to manage and no wonder we struggle to appear so called normal.

[@Megdracula]

Excellent point.

[@rsb67]

Perfect ending story to your talk!

[@annabeledwards1029]

Thank you Kathleen 💎🦋💜

[@coola5151]

I wish that all public school teachers were trained on teaching adhd kids. If you cant afford private schools...then what

[@idaklymr]

Many private schools can't afford a teacher specifically ADHD

[@connor863]

Teaching for ADHD should be part of every public school teacher's training!

[@notw7175]

Couldn't agree more

[@solomondomi102]

Of course

[@funemployed468]

I am from Switzerland. I have been to 13 different schools in my life. Believe me, private schools aren‘t better either, at least not in Switzerland, the United Kingdom or even in Spain. Yes, I am speaking from experience. The only thing that ever worked for me was to give me the curriculum and a deadline and to let me do it myself & even then, the motivation it requires to keep believing in such an archaic system and the things which are taught, is simply a pain.

[@localbooking6350]

Thank you!

[@TaMarAaQ]

Whyyyy are people always only talking about CHILDREN with adhd like adults have it too I have it too and it's just as bad as other mental illnesses, please please please! don't treat it as if it is a thing only children have

[@DwayneCoates007]

I'm struggling with my job with it

[@Anexoticadventure]

ADHD is NOT a "mental illness". This is part of the problem in eliminating stigma. The brain difference is biological, not psychological.

[@connor863]

I 100% agree with you on the frusteration with everyone only talking about ADHD in children but ADHD is not a mental illness. Referring to it as a mental illness is scientifically inaccurate and is stigmatizing to ADHD.

[@elizabethkelsey8087]

I'm 37 and just now finding out I have it.

[@Dancestar1981]

@@connor863 it’s a neurological brain wiring difference

[@juliacrane3212]

wonderful!!!

[@jenniferhizzy6591]

Kathleen you are amazing

[@SmnthasRelaxingMusic]

Please, tell us more! Your presentation was informative and even comforting. Also, do you have links to the positive studies? Your forgetting the books had me laughing. Thank you, again!

[@duchessofdark]

Great🙏🏼❤️

[@Hair-today]

All you need to do to make a good case againsed the mismanagement of ADHD in our youth is look at the youth of today in 2022

[@peternorthrup6274]

I reached my limit with my son .I have to work all the time just to get by. He runs around like a normal young boy . Never listens to me. I took him to are doctor and after my 15 mins were up he diagnosed my son with ADHD. Got a prescription. Now I make sure he takes his pill everyday. Now he sits on the couch day after day just staring into space. I've never been happier. He very rarely talks Now. Just stares into space. Finally now I can get some rest. His grades dropped off a bit. That's OK. At least he does what I tell him now.

[@paulflute]

yes.. I've written books.. and many poems.. and composed and recorded much music.. and reams of ideas i've never heard ay body else even talk about.. there all on my computer..... some where... i think.. ????

[@aremedyproject9569]

At 7:15 and 7:38 I wondered why the audience's seats were being raised lol.

[@richardleetbluesharmonicac7192]

Adhd is God’s gift

[@Hair-today]

With the right medicine/no booze/reading non fiction books/sleep/solo time you can pretty much fix your brain.

[@irushakarki4406]

can anyone tell what name of the song is?? background music is good 👍👍

[@GeraldLewis-gy5vk]

I have ADHD and medication s in the works down the future

[@seldispat]

ADHDers' brain were wired differently, that's why our Attention Development History Differed(ADHD) from others.

[@aljonserna5598]

now I don't know but maybe the hikikomori of Japan or the recluse who doesn't want to go with the crowd are actually adhd people, not maybe the hyperactive but the inattentive or mixed type. Personally, I got diagnosed as a 20-year-old but I was told that if I knew it earlier then I could've managed stuff that it didn't offshoot into anxiety and depression. I was kind of laughing at myself like what's the issue, I didn't even know that I have anxiety but the symptoms of depression yeah because of living going with the crowd, achieve this achieve that in this age know this and that already but I couldn't keep up. So looking back, maybe if the Japanese can see that their cultures are some values that yeah they could live with, with topics of propriety, philosophical or moral stuff but in being a human we just sometimes or very often we are professional failures on what we have set up for ourselves as ideal or heavenly perfection that we strive towards to. And so maybe if Japan can be more adhd friendly then maybe they can tackle their hikikomori issue better

[@jennywrightson3755]

attention surplus disorder sounds like asd to me!

[@costicle123]

Kip school? Please can we have more information?

[@Hair-today]

I hope Pschologists of 2022 will realize they need a new tradgectory. and research

[@Leafjade]

my adhd fam can we get a tl;dr

[@hamzaalrifai5321]

yeah and it is so with schizophrenia its not a disorder its that there dreaming when they are awake while we dream when we sleep

[@Dancestar1981]

It’s not just boys either

[@sparky6086]

I thought, that American values were "Truth, Justice, & The American Way"?

[@theguaable]

Yeah just because some countries might be more tolerant to some ADHD traits doesn't mean that they're ideal environments for people with ADHD

[@carlswanback7932]

You, like many others who think or have been labeled as ADHD you might actually be and Active-Alert: Here is the test: 1. Does you child have a seemingly endless supply of energy? 2. Can your child attend to a task, like being read to or playing a game with a parent? 3. Does/did your child wake up often throughout the night or have difficulty getting to sleep (often seen as fidgeting) 4. Does/did your child seem to need very little sleep as an infant or toddler? 5. Would the last words from your child’s mouth be, “I am tired”. 6. Does your child seem to “wind up” over the coarse of the day. That is, did their energy seem to build upon itself? 7. Does your child’s memory of details amaze you? 8. Is your child quick and bright in certain areas of learning? 9. Does your child seem to have an unending wealth of “good ideas”. 10. Does it seem as if your child tries to be the “boss” of your family or their friends? 11. Does your child want his/her own way most of the time and have difficulty accepting a “no” answer? 12. Did you miss the terrible twos in your child’s development because you never experienced anything different? 13. In new situations is your child more uncertain or fearful than others? 14. Is your child intensely emotional - very happy and or very sad with little in between? 15. Does your child experience a pattern of moods - from positive to negative and back again that seem hard for him/her to control? I.e. very upset they are unable to accomplish something, will have a tantrum or pout and nothing you say or do seems to help except for distraction) 16. Is it difficult for your child to play alone, especially up to age 6 or 7? (often they will want you as their playmate. 17. Is it difficult for your child to determine how to be a good friend, that is, she/he either sits and watches others or tries to be the boss? 18. Does your child think he/she is just terrific or totally stupid with little ability to believe that they might be just average or ok? A kind of all or nothing attitude. 19. Do other people say they have no difficulties with your child? 20. Do you sometimes wonder if your child has “read your mind? 21. Does your child use logic to reason with you? If you answered YES to a majority of these questions you are probably an Active Alert! Bonus: Ask the professional accessing you or your child to explain what an Active-Alert is. If they can't then they can't possible give you a diagnosis worth paying for!!! facebook.com/groups/ActiveAlert/

[@venetia658]

what does active alert mean

[@sunnyblue7800]

why is this only aimed at parents/children?Also hyperactivity can be heavily internalised and kids can seem to have low energy due to overstimulation and still have adhd (:

[@Hair-today]

ADHD need governace though.

[@jackieyeh9187]

The thundering cupcake reciprocally stain because powder indisputably whirl till a powerful lunch. upset, clear attack

[@robjarreau9147]

The tranquil pressure scully pass because sun comparably box following a miniature crop. quarrelsome, tangy glass

[@myxsys]

ADHD is a different type of brain. Most research on ADHD is funded by pharmaceutical companies!!!

[@michaelcollie6568]

The victorious wallaby multivariately regret because bear dolly peep than a pleasant airplane. imminent, jolly helicopter

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

Yes! Precisely!

[@richardleetbluesharmonicac7192]

Adhd are savant

[@goodyeoman4534]

there is no objective falsifiable test that I'm aware of which proves the presence of ADHD.

[@abhaykumartyagi2974]

It is neurological and genetic. You can compare brains with fmri

[@goodyeoman4534]

@Rick Dubert Not heard of it. Will have a look.

[@goodyeoman4534]

@Rick Dubert The Conner's Test is a series of subjective questions, for a condition that is presupposed. So not objective at all.

[@TheSpicehandler]

An fMRI of the brain shows clear, identifiable differences between ADHD and neurotypical brains.

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@TheSpicehandler Differing brain scans between people does not prove the existence of ADHD. Only an objective falsifiable test can do that - there is none.

[@adammaurice4801]

If she reads often and reads well she doesn't have adhd... it's almost impossible to read with adhd.

[@michaelstacie4249]

Sorry, that view is rather the opposite of the majority of ADHD people. Most have college reading levels by 4-5th grade. You may be thinking of Dyslexia.

[@trixisum]

Please don't confuse ADHD with Dyslexia. People with ADHD of course can read books, many books, they just have to be interesting enough.