In addition to understanding the terminology around disability, your article made me reflect on how words are so interesting. There are times when we might not feel the need to be overly particular about the specific words used in a situation, as long as the overall idea or general message comes across. But there are other times when precise wording is of the utmost importance, in order to ensure precision of meaning with no ambiguity.
Thank you Shruti for your informative article. Given that we are just 2 days away from ADHD awareness month, it is also extremely timely. I've always found it somewhat ironic that out of all the positive terms that could have been chosen by the medical establishment, Attention "Deficit" Hyperactivity "Disorder" was the one they went with. Thank you, you are so correct. Not only should we make the effort to better understand terms before we use them, we should also consider the impact or stigma that might be created around the ones we coin.
As someone diagnosed in 1968 as Hyperactive (ADHD in today's terms), I have often heard the term disability used to describe those with the condition. ADHD people are neurodiverse, meaning that their brains work differently. Although they have different learning abilities which can make it difficult for them to function in a neurotypical world, they often have many strengths which if supported allow them to flourish in certain environments. These can include: fast-paced jobs like firefighting, structured careers like engineers, creative professions like musicians, designers or marketers, and care-giver roles such as doctors, teachers or counsellors. Far from necessarily being a "deficit or disorder," ADHD can be a benefit. When a supportive learning environment and a variety of teaching methods are utilized to accommodate their different learning styles, those with ADHD don't only flourish, their unique and varied ways of approaching things can become a superpower. Thank you Shruti for pointing out the importance of using appropriate terminology, and your implication as to its impact when we get it wrong.
Thank you Vernon, you always give me so much to ponder upon. TBH I am not a big fan of labels. They limit us. If you ask me, ADHD is nothing but an active child with a sharp and curious mind. What the society expects is the child to fit in, to loosen his or her own essence and when that doesn't happen we tend to berate by limiting them into boxes. You are bang on when you said that when nurtured with care and attention they bloom. A gifted child faces similar criticism or expectational turmoil imposed by the society. Its important we protect our children and let them embrace themselves wholly instead of fitting within the bell curve which in raw language is being part of a herd.
Thank you for this detailed breakdown, Shruti.
In addition to understanding the terminology around disability, your article made me reflect on how words are so interesting. There are times when we might not feel the need to be overly particular about the specific words used in a situation, as long as the overall idea or general message comes across. But there are other times when precise wording is of the utmost importance, in order to ensure precision of meaning with no ambiguity.
absolutely Susan. Thank you.
Thank you Shruti for your informative article. Given that we are just 2 days away from ADHD awareness month, it is also extremely timely. I've always found it somewhat ironic that out of all the positive terms that could have been chosen by the medical establishment, Attention "Deficit" Hyperactivity "Disorder" was the one they went with. Thank you, you are so correct. Not only should we make the effort to better understand terms before we use them, we should also consider the impact or stigma that might be created around the ones we coin.
As someone diagnosed in 1968 as Hyperactive (ADHD in today's terms), I have often heard the term disability used to describe those with the condition. ADHD people are neurodiverse, meaning that their brains work differently. Although they have different learning abilities which can make it difficult for them to function in a neurotypical world, they often have many strengths which if supported allow them to flourish in certain environments. These can include: fast-paced jobs like firefighting, structured careers like engineers, creative professions like musicians, designers or marketers, and care-giver roles such as doctors, teachers or counsellors. Far from necessarily being a "deficit or disorder," ADHD can be a benefit. When a supportive learning environment and a variety of teaching methods are utilized to accommodate their different learning styles, those with ADHD don't only flourish, their unique and varied ways of approaching things can become a superpower. Thank you Shruti for pointing out the importance of using appropriate terminology, and your implication as to its impact when we get it wrong.
Thank you Vernon, you always give me so much to ponder upon. TBH I am not a big fan of labels. They limit us. If you ask me, ADHD is nothing but an active child with a sharp and curious mind. What the society expects is the child to fit in, to loosen his or her own essence and when that doesn't happen we tend to berate by limiting them into boxes. You are bang on when you said that when nurtured with care and attention they bloom. A gifted child faces similar criticism or expectational turmoil imposed by the society. Its important we protect our children and let them embrace themselves wholly instead of fitting within the bell curve which in raw language is being part of a herd.