Make Your Child Smarter

Cure for ADHD?

Q: Is there already a "cure" for ADHD?

A: There is currently no "cure" for ADHD. It is an excellent question because it highlights a common myth about medications for ADHD. While it is true that these medication can reduce symptoms, medications do not cure ADHD, they manage symptoms. They typically only work while the child is taking them and they have many side effects. They also work to patch of weaknesses, rather than building on the strengths of the child.

I think the closest thing to a cure is for parents to find the gifts of their child and focus on those gifts. What you focus on you will get more of. Many times families narrowly and rigidly pay attention only to what the child doesn't do well, rather than what the child does do very well. Many times children with ADHD don't do well in school, but they are very creative and sensitive. In my book, The Gift of ADHD, I review the 5 gifts of ADHD: Creativity, Intuition, Emotional Sensitivity, Exuberance and Ecological Consciousness. If parents focus on these gifts, they will stay connected to their child and their children will live up to the positive focus by trying harder in all areas.

Sometimes I think the cure is for society and parents to value those children who are artistically oriented and stop trying to fit them into the mold of standard educational settings and unrelenting performance demands.

As a culture we need to strive for excellence, but allow excellence to be across many domains - including the arts and social and emotional arenas.

>> Back to Ask an Expert