A Fresh Look at ADHD
The 2012 Lenox M. Reed Seminar featured Dr. Edward Hallowell, child and adult psychiatrist, who is a leading authority on attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Dr. Hallowell gave teachers and parents in our audience a fresh and optimistic view of ADHD by turning the last “D” for “disorder” on its ear. Dr. Hallowell has a modern view of children and adults with ADHD that differs from the historical theological view – “the child is bad and needs to be disciplined” – and the later medical view – “the child has a disorder, disability, dysfunction, that needs to be medicated and corrected.” Dr. Hallowell believes that both historical views are “bad news” diagnoses and we as teachers need to look at all students, including those with symptoms of ADD and ADHD, as children with special gifts. The gifts of creativity and an adventurous pioneer spirit are particular assets typical of children with ADHD which are foundational to careers such as trial law, surgery, and entrepreneurship. He believes that if teachers view all children with a focus on their strengths, then children, especially those with ADHD, will learn to view themselves that way too, avoiding what Dr. Hallowell views as the real disabilities: fear and shame.
A new learning series created by Dr. Hallowell gives in-depth information and guidance for classroom teachers for working with children with attention and hyperactivity issues called, Mining Magnificent Minds. Other information about ADD and ADHD can be accessed at Dr. Hallowell’s website, www.drhallowell.com, and www.adhdforteachers.com.