'ADHD Superpowers': The Benefits of ADHD

If you love someone with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) like I do, then you probably already know what "ADHD superpowers" are. People with ADHD think differently, and being close to them can be a unique experience full of laughter and unexpected blessings. So what exactly are the benefits of ADHD, and what do they mean in terms of raising a child with the condition?

What Are Some ADHD Superpowers?

According to several studies, the benefits of having ADHD superpowers include:^1,2

• Creative thinking
• Hyper-focus that results in timely, quality work
• A calm attitude during emergencies
• Intuitiveness; noticing things other people don't notice
• Initiative; stuff gets started
• Creative problem solving
• Courage; risks are taken
• The ability to see patterns where other people see only chaos
• The ability to talk about lots of things at once
• A limitless capacity to learn
• A willingness to always try something new
• Empathy
• Entrepreneurship
• The capacity to see situations from many angles
• Resourcefulness

The benefits of ADHD are obvious, but what does that have to do with raising a child who lives with the condition?

How Do ADHD Superpowers Shape How I Raise My Child?

Now that I know what the ADHD superpowers are, I can keep them in mind while I'm raising my little boy. For instance, I don't ever underestimate him. I think he's far more capable than people imagine. He notices everything, retains everything, and works everything over in his mind until it makes some sort of sense to him. It's a beautiful process to watch.

I also trust what he has to say. He perceives things I don't even know are there, so I trust his judgment when he has something to say about a situation. Chances are, he sees something I don't see, and I probably have something to learn.

I've learned to be grateful for how my son's brain works. I've learned how to enjoy him even when things aren't going exactly how I'd like for them to go. I'm excited to see what my kid grows up to become. He has so many strengths and interests, and I can't wait to see what he does with them as he gets older.

I'm proud of my boy's ADHD and all the benefits that come with it. Not everyone thinks the way he does, and the way he thinks is inspiring and eye-opening. Accepting the fact that he has ADHD really hasn't been difficult because I don't consider it a shameful burden. I think of it as a blessing I can't wait to share.

I encourage my child to be his creative, insightful, quirky self. Yes, ask those random questions no one else asks. Yes, play with that toy in a way no one else has ever thought of. He's fun and makes me look at the world in a whole new way. Why wouldn't I want him to be exactly who he is? Who he is is wonderful. 

Do you identify with these ADHD superpowers? What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments.

See Also

• "Did You Know That Having ADHD is Like Having Super Powers?"

Sources

1. Abraham, A. et al., "Creative Thinking in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)." Child Neuropsychology, April 2006.
2. Attention Deficit Disorder Association, "Top 5 Potential Benefits of ADHD for Employees." Accessed October 18, 2020.