Most people are neurologically equipped to determine what’s important and get motivated to do it, even when it doesn’t interest them. Then there are some, who have attention deficit disorder, and a totally different brain chemistry.

Attention deficit is a misnomer. ADHD doesn’t deplete attention. It scatters attention unevenly, and activates focus only under certain circumstances. That’s because the ADHD nervous system is interest-based, rather than importance- or priority-based.

People with ADHD often say:

“When I get in the zone, I can accomplish anything.” or “I’ll blast through it once I hit a groove.”

What they are describing is ADHD hyperfocus – intense concentration on a particular task, usually one of great personal interest. Hyperfocus is not like a faucet you turn on at will. This state of undivided attention is activated only by a fleeting sense of interest, competition, novelty and/or urgency. When these conditions are met, people with ADHD can focus — sometimes.

Parents and loved ones may interpret spotty, inconsistent focus as a sign of defiance or selfishness. It is not.

“People with ADHD need to learn to tap into the meaning, importance, or worth of the task at hand…The key to putting the meaning back in motivation is to let go of the way it works for everybody else.” – Laurie Dupar, PMHNP, RN, PCC

If you suspect that your child may have ADHD or another learning disability which impacts their academic achievement, do not hesitate to contact us to schedule your child for an evaluation so that you can be sure your child gets the help they may need.