Debbie Phelps is the mother of three children, she is a middle school principal and a spokesperson for Johnson and Johnson. Debbie Phelps is also the mother of Michael Phelps, Olympic Gold Medallist.

Check out our exclusive interview with Debbie

Becoming a world class athletic takes drive and determination. It takes focus and concentration. Many of these are the very characteristics people with ADHD have difficult with. But somehow, Michael Phelps found a way to use the positive traits of ADHD help him in his journey to becoming the fastest swimmer in the world.

Michael was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of nine. His mother, as an educator, had heard of ADHD, but had not considered that Michael might be struggling with the symptoms of ADHD. He was overly active, always talking and asking questions, intensely curious and never seemed to stop. But Debbie Phelps thought of her son as a "typical boy." Her two older children were girls, more reserved and more mature. She noted the differences in behavior but chalked it up to the difference between girls and boys.

Teachers, however, brought Michael's lack of focus and inability to sit still to Debbie's attention. Teachers noticed Michael's wanting to be the center of attention and how he consistently moved on to the next task, before completing the one he was working on.

Debbie talked with the pediatrician and both Debbie and the teachers completed the checklists. After a thorough evaluation, Michael was diagnosed with ADHD.

Debbie accepted the diagnosis, began behavior modification strategies at home and Michael began medication, which helped increase focus and the ability to stay on task.

But when Michael entered middle school, he didn't want to take medication. He was embarrassed stopping at the nurse's office each day at lunch to take a pill. Debbie had concerns, after all, middle school was more demanding than elementary school. But, she also felt it important to listen to Michael and to include him in the decision making process. So it was decided they would discuss the matter with the pediatrician at their next office visit. The decision was for Michael to try not taking medication. If he was not managing his responsibilities, they could revisit the decision.

Behavior modification strategies stayed in place. Some of the ideas Debbie used were:

• Having a special place in the house to keep the school backpack
• Keeping a checklist on the refrigerator and providing incentives for completing tasks
• Having household chores to complete, developing a sense of responsibility
• Providing a place to complete homework
• Eating health snacks
• Maintaining a structured routine throughout the day

Michael has managed ever since without medication. Swimming has provided not only routine and structure but also an outlet for excessive energy and regular exercise. This may have contributed to his ability to compensate for symptoms of ADHD.