Debbie Phelps Answers Readers Questions

Question:

Did Michael have trouble finding/keeping friends?

Answer

Children with ADHD tend to gravitate toward children they can relate to. Many times this may be a younger child. Michael also played with children younger than him when he was young. He also, however, was on swim teams with children older than him. For example, when he was eleven, he might have been swimming with kids as old as 17 on the same team. He was able to get along with them as well.

So, although he gravitated more toward younger children for social activities, he also got along with his older teammates.

Question:

As an adult with ADHD who was not diagnosed until well past Michael's age, I fell upon coping skills that allowed me to be a high achiever in my own field. I believe there needs to be more publicity about the positives of ADHD to help ADHD people with positive self-image. In that light, what are a few of the strengths that you attribute to his ADHD and how did you help him build on those strengths?

Answer

Some of Michael's best characteristics are his compassion and empathy for other people. He is also very determined and creative. He has boundless energy. Children with ADHD are gifted, intelligent children.

Michael was also able to compartmentalize. He could hyperfocus on a race, allowing thoughts of past and future races to disappear. He would focus on one race at a time.

As a parent, it is important to find something your child enjoys and channel their energy into that. From there, you can build on their self-esteem.

Question:

I have a 10-year-old son with ADHD and ODD. Did your son Michael have any comorbid conditions, specifically ODD, and if so, do you have any advice as to how to distinguish between the "can't do" because of ADHD and the "won't do" due to ODD?

Answer

NO, Michael did not have any comorbid conditions. ADHD was the only condition.

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Related post:

The Many Faces of ADHD: Debbie Phelps

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