Thinking differently = trouble Presentation at Bristol MIND March 2012

ADHD, ADD,Dyslexia, Autism etc Developmental disorder or some kind of gift? We know they cause problems but we dont know if they are gifts in themselves.

Orchid Genes

Stress and vulnerability: the traditional view

Our view: maybe the graph actually just talks about negative stress??

And maybe there is a whole missing part!!

Anxiety and performance in tasks: The Yerkes-Dodson Curve

Maybe it’s different in ADHD?

You- before and after, diagram 1 Apparently struggling person, after treatment and help, to a much more content, well adjusted person. = Often seen in clinic

You- before and after- diagram 2 Apparently struggling person, to someone who not only adjusts, but appears to totally take off! = is sometimes seen in clinic. But not much research to explain it so far.

What’s going on? Born with it? Is positive variant ADHD the same genetic root as the negative variant? Developed it? Does PV-ADHD arise because people develop skill as a result of over- compensating against long-term disability? Freed it up? Maybe treating the negative variant ADHD helps reveal the positive variant sides without the bad sides getting in the way? Using it alongside something? Maybe it's just ADHD as normal but combines with some other talent to generate an unusual adantage? SO: In some cases, we notice some people have exceptional ability which is revealed through some kind of 'positive ADHD filter.'

What’s going on? Born with it…

What’s going on? Developed it?

Wha’s going on? Freed it up?

What’s going on? Uses it alongside some other skill? e.g combining with creativity or high IQ

So how did we find out? We created a questionnaire based on ADHD criteria. Every item has a ‘kryptonite’ opposite strength. The strength is either A) Directly related to the item e.g. distraction = love to notice what others don’t B) Compensating against the item e.g. forgetfulness-  being super-organised.

And what did we find out? Examples of positive variant factors in ADHD. Inattention behaviours 1d. Not giving close attention, or making careless mistakes 1s. Pays excess attention to abstract, creative or distal elements 1s. Preoccupied with novel or rapid solutions. 1s. Frequently shows good outcome using defiant methods. 1c. Checks things repeatedly, beyond completeness 2d. Trouble keeping attention on tasks or play 2s. Daydreams to find nuanced solutions to complex tasks 2s. Readily influences more attentive people to take on his/her work 2c. Maintains focus by multi-tasking

…and 34 other separate positive variant factors.

Categories of ability Deal: Thrive in Crisis Heal: Driven to reduce complexity and waste Zeal: Highly focussed on one thing Feel: Very expressive, communicative Steal: Able to borrow ideas from unexpected places

So we tested it on hamsters (= online survey, to the general public). Blinded purpose questionnaire 24 items 6 ADHD Screening questions

180 respondents over the past week

What do we know??? ADHD behaviours are associated with positive variant behaviour traits even in undiagnosed people: this is a definite trend.

More ADHD-ishness seems to predict even more positive behaviour in certain PVBs Up to a point- after this, maybe the ADHD negative sides are too strong to escape.

So….. It definitely helps to have some ADHD Maybe too much causes problems? Maybe treating the ADHD bad sides can liberate more of positive variant behaviours?? BUT……

..remember this?

So, about that battle... Maybe each side only tells half the story.

Neuroaffinity Maybe people with ADHD have the potential to be highly specialised into narrow, defined skill areas. Sometimes could these skills actually exceed those of other non-ADHD people?

Questions a) Why isn't there more research on the types of work where people with ADHD could thrive? b) Are there people with ADHD losing jobs, dropping out of school, who shouldn’t be? Answers: a) ADHD is a disability and there are only a few people who get to see this 'advantage' side of it. Maybe we need to look at getting more people to understand whether or where they could thrive. b) Yes. And we need to help stop this problem.

Hmmm…. look here. Specialisterne.com Specialistpeople.com Autistic people are useful to the computer business ?

What would an ADHD company do? Deal: Thrive in Crisis Heal: Driven to reduce complexity and waste Zeal: Highly focussed on one thing Feel: Very expressive, communicative Steal: Able to borrow ideas from unexpected places

Let’s do it then. Let’s form a founding team. Let's make it about people with ADHD, driven by people with ADHD. - Set duties, month to month. - Report back, talk, get more duties. - Develop the idea.

Ask yourself this: What skills or time do you have? What would you get out of it? What can you give or get? Money? Time? Space? Knowledge? Research? Contact: by See you next month