This month, PATTERN has highlighted focus which naturally brings stories and experiences of those who have taken their ADHD/neurodivergence by the reins. We want to demonstrate that this is not a topic that needs, or benefits from, tip-toeing–and that it is precisely that: a topic, not a problem.
Let’s get real here for a second.
ADHD, undiagnosed and untreated, is nothing to be glorified. Inattention, impulsivity, restlessness–and the frustration and misconception that follow–are all characteristics of ADHD.
However, when diagnosed and treated, ADHD can be honed to function more as an asset than a hindrance…Otherwise known as the “superpowers” of ADHD: cue Hyperfocus (laser vision), Creativity (mega mind), and Intuitiveness (spidey senses)–also all characteristics of ADHD.
This article aims to set the record straight on ADHD–what it’s like working, living, excelling with it. And what it’s like to kick ass with the superpower that ADHD can be. To give it my best shot, I recruited the insight and lived experiences of:
Morgan Allen, entrepreneurial ecosystem manager at Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Ben Glenn (“The Chalkguy”), professional speaker and ADHD specialist with Chalkguy Media International
Edge, a creative of many talents and longtime friend of PATTERN
Avengers Assemble, amiright? I’ll let them tell you the rest…
Kate Nevers: What are your ADHD superpowers?
Morgan Allen: When I’m making a decision, my ADHD allows me to zoom out and understand how things are interconnected rather than be siloed into one thing. I’m able to think about so many different things at once and understand the implications of how changing one thing will change the rest.
Ben Glenn: The ability to hyper-focus. People with ADHD crave that. When we step into structure and hyper-focus, it’s a huge dopamine kick, so it gives us all the focusing power that most people have organically.
Edge: The ability to hyper-focus on details and tasks at a rate and level beyond the normal person. And now that I have found outlets for my ADHD and can “channel” it, the ability to control that focus is exponential.
KN: What does focus look like for you?
BG: There are different types of focus. Let’s say I have to do some type of admin work. I have to be strategic in recognizing that my focus is not going to be great–ADHDers are always going to gravitate toward the fun stuff. But that’s not always what needs to get done first.
So what I’ll do is get up super early in the morning, because that’s when my ADHD issues are at the lowest level (so there’s an element of self-awareness). I have more energy physically and mentally to combat the tendency to go off on those rabbit trails. If you set that structure up the night before and you step into it at a certain time, you’re great.
E: Focus is attention on varying degrees. Breaking it down into “Primary Focus”, “Secondary” and so on has really helped me understand how to categorize and allocate brain power. Stimulation is kind of the key here.. if a task is monotonous or consistent, it can be difficult sometimes to commit brain power or attention to. That would go into a “Secondary” focus category because I feel confident that I can “auto-pilot” that task or situation often. It has particularly been helpful during military work.
KN: How do you want people to understand ADHD? Feel free to name drop some misconceptions or pet peeves!
MA: I have two. One: ADHD isn’t a bad word. It’s just a different way your brain works. Everyone has different ways of tackling a problem or coming up with ideas; ADHD is just one way in which you can do that. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
My second one: ADHD is not a trend. I think TikTok, in particular, has made ADHD trendy. People are making a fad of it. I do think the awareness that has come along with social media is powerful, but when people self-diagnose based on TikTok, it’s an uncomfortable place to be in and also lends itself to people with ADHD thinking it’s fake. It’s more than a trend.
BG: ADHD has so many built-in stereotypes that you’re just not going to get around. If you go up to anybody and you ask them what they know about ADHD, they’re going to give you the standard Don’t know how to focus, can’t sit still, all over the place. But if you ask them about the great things about ADHD, a lot of them won’t know. They haven’t done that deeper dive. Understand that it’s a struggle, but it’s a struggle that comes with great rewards.
If you’re working with somebody or you’re in a relationship with somebody who has ADHD, do your homework to figure out what makes them tick. You gotta have somebody who’s willing to do that deeper dive.
E: Thinking it’s about someone being incapable of completing something due to lack of focus is false. Most of the time, providing the right stimulating and challenging tasks to those with ADHD will yield GREATER results than from a non-ADHD person. We’re the ace in the hole for daunting or complex things.
KN: ADHD in regards to creativity…Tell me about that.
MA: Creativity comes in many different forms. With my experience with ADHD, my creativity comes out in my ability to see how everything is connected. So ADHD lends itself to that creative piece as well.
BG: ADHDers are some of the most creative individuals you’ll ever meet. It’s teaming up on those creative juices with somebody who can help us create the structure that we crave. To my ADHDers, don’t feel like you have to do it on your own. Collaborating is such a huge part of the ADHD, and creative, world.
E: I’ve LOVED the results of my dancing and arts development thanks to being able sometimes to let my ADHD go free. From being in a practice session and having a “squirrel” moment to hyper-focusing on one specific nuanced movement of maybe a finger. It has helped with really shining a light on my particular brand of movement that is not replicable. It feels like cloud 9 when all of the music and movements ebb and flow in my mind during a solo or group session like an ocean. And selfishly . . . that, coupled with having crappy vision (I have like -7.5 in each eye), means I can let my brain run free and then take my glasses off and see the world in a crazy perspective. This has definitely resulted in some skewed and abstract movements and art that really speak “Edge.”
