Superpowers of ADHD

Whilst many children become frustrated at their ADHD traits, they also hold many positive qualities and abilities due to their brain’s unique patterns and reactions. Children and adolescents with ADHD have higher levels of energy and awareness than their peers. At the bottom of this, is an aversion to boredom. Simply, when bored their brains become understimulated and struggle to concentrate and focus. Therefore, we see an increase in fidgeting and impulsive movements. Thus, considering our expectations for sitting down for prolonged periods, or vast periods of being understimulated can be a first step to considering how we support children at home, or those that we work with.

However, we should not lose sight of the wide range of positive traits that are associated with ADHD, and look to spend time finding the unique and wonderful traits in the young people that we work with. We can meet young people who absorb information about areas of interest like a sponge, with high levels of empathy and care for others, those with incredible creative flair or who have tremendous scientific, our role is to help identify these and encourage them.

Reif (2003) identifies positive traits including:

Highly energetic

Verbal

Spontaneous

Creative and inventive

Artistic

Persistent / tenacious

Innovative

Imaginative

Warm hearted

Compassionate and caring

Accepting and forgiving

Inquisitive

Resilient

Makes and creates fun

Knows how to enjoy the present moment

Empathetic

Sensitive to needs of others

Resourceful

Gregarious

Not boring

Enthusiastic

Intelligent / bright

Humorous

Outgoing

Ready for action

Willing to take a risk and try new things

Good at improvising

Enterprising

Sees different aspects of a situation

Able to find novel solutions

Charismatic

Observant

Negotiator

Full of ideas and spunk

Can think on their feet

Intuitive

Good in crisis situations

Passionate

Consider:

What are the wonderful traits that the young person presents with?

Which traits do they receive most feedback about?

How can we increase their awareness of their positive traits?

How can we increase opportunities to tap into their positive traits?

How can we reduce understimulation and boredom to reduce the negative feedback, and increase their positive experiences?

 

Free Course

You can download our FREE 10 things you need to know about ADHD course HERE

 

Want to learn more? 

Are you looking for a deeper understanding of child mental health? Our Level 4 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Coaching Diploma takes you into an in depth dive of child mental health and how you can support.  You can join our Level 4 training (here).

 

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Further Support 

You can read more about by downloading our FREE Ebooks – HERE 

You can learn more about child mental health by visiting – HERE 

You can find therapeutic story books to support your child at – HERE 

You can find therapeutic stories and hypnotherapy audios to support children’s emotions – HERE

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