Is ADHD A Disability? Know The Truth!

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, popularly known as ADHD, is a neurological developmental disorder typically diagnosed in children and persists well into adulthood. In simple words, and as the name suggests, it is a condition that affects the patient's behavior, making them react overtly to everyday situations. ADHD patients show signs of hyperactivity, short attention span, and inability to focus on one particular activity. They constantly find the need to switch between tasks without completing them. ADHD patients are also emotionally weak and often show signs of confusion, daydreaming, and an impulsive need to have their way in life, failure of which can also result in tantrums. Unfortunately, this condition can make it challenging for some to excel in certain careers because there are specific ADHD jobs to avoid. It is established that ADHD is a developmental disorder. However, Is ADHD a disability? Read along to find out more about this developmental condition.

What is ADHD?

• ADHD is a complex brain disorder that affects the behavior of an individual.
• It is characterized by being restless, having a short span of attention, being impulsive, and of course, being hyperactive.
• ADHD is a neuro-developed mental disorder that affects close to 11% of children and about 5% of adults and is, therefore, a more common condition observed in society.
• ADHD does not have a treatment. However, it can be successfully managed with the help of therapy.
• The symptoms of hyperactivity tone down as the age of the child progresses.

What is considered a disability?

To qualify as a disability, the person must find it difficult or impossible to perform any substantial gainful activity (such as earning or traveling) due to physical or mental damages that have lasted or will last for no less than 12 months.

• Physical disabilities include fibromyalgia, blindness, hearing loss, mute, etc.
• Mental or neurological disabilities include Asperger's syndrome, PTSD and Autism. These conditions make it impossible for individuals to carry out any task without support from family, friends, or government aid.
• Other aspects of disabilities include developmental disabilities that involve an impaired prefrontal cortex in the brain. This impairment causes the individual to process information slower or in a manner that is different from normal individuals. These include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
• Learning disability (LD) is a subset of developmental disabilities and involves a complete inability to learn and process new information. Some examples of learning disabilities include Dyslexia, language processing disorder, and Dysgraphia.

Is ADHD a disability?

ADHD is counted as a disability in the United States, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Social Security Association provides benefits to persons who have ADHD and who are declared as being disabled. However, ADHD is a protected disability which means that only when it can be proved that ADHD interferes with the ability to work in society and the regular functioning of daily tasks. ADHD may be deemed as a disability if,

• Having ADHD affects the way you learn things and process information.
• It makes it difficult for you to acquire a job or to stick to a job at a specific company.
• You find it challenging to complete your education at the same pace as your peers.

Which government bodies consider ADHD as a disability?

Is ADHD a disability? This is a long-standing, debatable question that must be addressed. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADHD is considered a disability, and patients with ADHD can avail of certain benefits from the US government. Another significant governing body, the Centers for Disease Control, also acknowledges ADHD as a developmental disability. However, few other governing parties do not consider ADHD as a disability.

Can we count ADHD as a developmental disability?

ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity in daily routine, inability to focus, and a constant urge to do something new. These symptoms are due to the various parts of the brain of an ADHD individual that is underdeveloped. Brain developmental issues can occur in a child if they are prematurely born (<37 weeks) due to a brain injury or genetic makeup. The behavioral and mental symptoms observed in ADHD are because of this impaired brain function, and the information processing capacity of these individuals is slower than that seen in patients without ADHD. While some individuals with ADHD may not be severely affected, other patients with ADHD suffer immensely in socializing, keeping a poised behavior in public, or even taking up a job with a good position. It is thus considered a disability that must be proved to the Social Security Association in America to avail of benefits commonly provided to care for disabled individuals.

Also Read:Brain Training for Children With ADHD: A Guide to an Alternative to Medication

Can ADHD be considered as a learning disability?

Learning disability (LD), a subset of developmental disability, is a condition wherein the patient cannot, by any means, learn or process new information. It is a severe condition, and patients with LD may be affected their entire lives. The different forms of LD include difficulty in Spoken language, Written language, Reasoning, and Arithmetic-calculation concepts. ADHD is not a learning disability; lacking attention or focus makes learning slower than usual.

Patients with ADHD can fully well learn and have the capacity to process new information. However, ADHD and LD often go hand in hand. This is because those diagnosed with ADHD are also commonly diagnosed with LD, making it a grievous condition for the individual. LD is a subset of developmental disability. Patients who have ADHD along with LD are often considered under the category of specially-abled.

Also Read:ADHD and ODD: What's the Connection?

How can you manage ADHD?

Most often, people having ADHD do not realize they are suffering from a brain disorder that affects their attention. However, family members of these individuals can support and train ADHD individuals and help them be more well-behaved with their surroundings. For ADHD persons who find it hard to sit still and be at rest, try these few tips that will help you in the long run:

• Always sit on the front row of a class, cinema, or gathering. This will help limit distractions.
• Switch off your phone or TV when performing a severe task such as work or homework.
• Use a daily planner. This can be shopping, a things-to-do list, or even keeping alarms for every task that needs to be performed during the day. This will keep your mind focused and less prone to losing focus.
• Go for a long leisure walk. Choose roads that have a scenic view, so focus on the good things in life. Exercise of any form keeps the mind running and keeps you feeling positive.
• Take designated breaks between activities. This will ensure that you remain focused during an incoming break period.

Also Read: ADHD Medications and Sex Drive: Help or Hurt?

Conclusion

ADHD is a developmental disorder that affects the neurological processing of an individual. Persons with ADHD often suffer while performing daily routine tasks due to their inability to manage time, multitask, and even have highly agitated moods. While ADHD may or may not be considered a disability, ADHD is a condition widely seen in children and must be addressed openly. ADHD does not have a medical treatment, but proper counseling for the patient and the family members can manage it. If you think your loved one has ADHD, contact our nearest psychologist or a cognitive therapist for therapy.

Also Read: Psychiatrists Vs. Psychologists - What Is the Difference?