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News & Updates

ADHD Facts vs. Myths

All kids that have ADHD are hyper: Myth

FACT: There are 3 types of ADHD: hyperactive type, inattentive type, and the combined type. Not all kids with ADHD have hyperactivity as a symptom.

Only boys have ADHD: Myth

FACT: Boys are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD compared with girls. However, girls can have ADHD too! Girls are more likely to have the inattentive type of ADHD, so it can be more difficult to detect.

ADHD is the result of bad parenting or a child’s weakness: MYTH

FACT: ADHD is a biological disorder. There are actual, physical differences in the brains of kids with ADHD and neurotypical kids.

My child can concentrate when playing a game, so it can’t be ADHD: MYTH

FACT: In ADHD, kids have difficulty concentrating on tasks that require mental effort.

This child is running around a lot, so it must be ADHD: MYTH

FACT:

  • It’s not that easy to diagnose ADHD, so we should avoid labeling. It takes a process and a trained professional to make the diagnosis.

  • For it to be ADHD, the symptoms should interfere with or reduce the quality of social and academic functioning of an individual. Also, the symptoms must be inappropriate for a child’s age and must be present in at least two settings (ex. home and school).

ADHD is the result of eating too much sugar: MYTH

FACT: There is no evidence that any diet causes a child to develop ADHD. However, a healthy diet is best for all kids, whether or not they have ADHD (and a healthy diet shouldn’t have too much sugar).


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