******Important announcement at the end. Don’t miss it!****** ADHD isn’t what a lot of people think it is. Even the name is misleading. So let’s clear up some of the common myths. Myth: My child can’t pay attention. Truth: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder makes it sound like your child can’t ever pay attention. It should be called Attention Regulation Disorder. People with ADHD can pay attention to certain things. In fact, they tend to hyperfocus on things that are stimulating to their brains like video games, reading, a project, etc. and they have a hard time switching their focus to something else. When you get frustrated because you see that your child can focus very intently on some things but not others, it’s not because they don’t care. They just aren’t as able to regulate what they pay attention to in the way a neurotypical person can. Myth: My child isn’t hyper so he doesn’t have ADHD. Truth: Hyperactivity isn’t always present in a child with ADHD. Typically, girls tend to have the inattentive type of ADHD and boys tend to have the hyperactivity. This isn’t always true though. As a kid, my husband wasn’t hyperactive but my daughter does have the hyperactive type, so just be aware it can go either way. Hyperactivity is one component of ADHD that may or may not be present. Myth: My child is smart, he’s just lazy. Truth: Maybe. Be aware though that this is a classic misconception by teachers and parents. It can look like laziness especially when you have observed them being able to pay attention to other things, just not their homework. Remember, regulating attention is the issue here. Myth: An ADHD diagnosis means my child isn’t smart. Truth: IQ isn’t a diagnostic criterion for ADHD. It can be present at any intelligence level. If your child has ADHD and is getting low grades it doesn’t mean they aren’t smart. Grades aren’t an indicator of intelligence either (that’s a whole other blog post.) My daughter who has ADHD is also gifted. My husband who has ADHD and did not get good grades in high school is now a doctor. Don’t make an ADHD diagnosis mean that your child isn’t smart. ADHD also comes with many of it’s own gifts. Myth: ADHD is just a name for kids who aren’t disciplined enough Truth: ADHD today is both overdiagnosed and underdiagnosed. Let me explain. There are other conditions that may cause problems with attention or mimic ADHD. Sometimes behavior looks like ADHD when the root cause is really something else. Disruptive kids often get labeled with ADHD. The opposite is also true. Sometimes ADHD doesn’t look like what we think ADHD looks like, so it goes under the radar and untreated. Sometimes ADHD looks like what some people call, “being an airhead,” but it isn’t disruptive so it’s written off as a personality trait. ADHD isn’t what we think it is. If your child has ADHD and you need more help understanding and coping with it, I have great news for you!! I’m creating an online class just for you. PARENTING ADHD WITH PEACE This class will be taught by me and my husband Karl Martineau, DO. Karl is in his fourth year of training to be a child psychiatrist (and has ADHD himself.) Lifecoach + child psychiatrist = best class ever for ADHD parents who want answers and peace in their home. The healthcare system isn’t set up to get you the support you need. It isn’t your doctor’s fault. Most doctors are frustrated by the way insurance controls how they care for you and your child. This class is designed to give you all the support you need. You will learn more about ADHD and the best ways to support your child and yourself. There will be a Q&A so you can come with any questions you have and ask them anonymously if you want. CLICK HERE NOW to sign up for the interest list and you’ll be the first to know when the class launches. *Fine print: TL;DR – In this setting, Dr. Martineau can be your teacher, but can’t diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Wordy version – The information in this email and the referenced class is provided for informational purposes only and does not establish a patient-doctor relationship or constitute medical advice; the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your own physician. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this email or class.