Commentary Peer Review Worksheet

2

Avilina Brown

Eng-105

21 October 2020

Professor Bamba

The Reasoning Behind ADHD Awareness Week

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder that often begins in childhood and extends into adulthood (“What is ADHD,” 2020). Although, many people acknowledge that they or their children may have ADHD, their education on ADHD stops after being diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Learning about ADHD is an on-going educational experience. ADHD awareness helps to spread information and educate the public by exposing the misconceptions of ADHD, expressing the importance of early diagnosis, and recognizing the work that needs to be done to continue helping adults and families cope with ADHD (Low “The Importance of ADHD Awareness” 2019).

The most popular misconception about ADHD is that ADHD is not real. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web page shows data and statistics that prove ADHD is real and can affect anyone (“Data and Statistics,” 2020). Another misconception is that ADHD only affects boys. Although ADHD is more likely to affect boys, it also affects girls (“Guide to Debunking Annoying ADHD Myths,” 2020). The ADDtitude Mag website has a downloadable guide that touches more on the misconceptions of ADHD. The CDC web page also proves that ADHD does not just affect boys. There is a 7.3 percent difference in boys being diagnosed compared to girls with a 12.9 percent chance of boys being diagnosed next to a 5.9 percent chance of girls being diagnosed (“Data and Statistics,” 2020). Even though there is a smaller percentage of girls diagnosed compared to boys, ADHD does not show bias with its symptoms and does not make those symptoms any less difficult to bear for a girl.

Early diagnosis of ADHD can help a person go through life much easier than it would to go undiagnosed. Although there is still on-going research to find more causes of ADHD, genetics play a big part of the ADHD diagnosis (“What is ADHD” 2020). When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, a good way to see if it is genetic is to have parents and siblings checked for ADHD, too (Wright “A Brief History of ADHD” 2011). With early diagnosis, it is important to make sure that the medications prescribed work for the individual, especially children. There are several factors that could affect how a medication works from age to coexisting disorders. Early behavioral interventions have been designed to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and is an alternative for some medications (Insel “Attention on ADHD Awareness Week” 2010).

Moreover, the recognition of the growth of ADHD awareness and its advocacy is important to raising awareness for ADHD. It also important to recognize the work that still needs to be done to continue helping adults and children cope with their ADHD as they progress through life. Even though ADHD is the most common disorder in the United States, there is misleading information all over the internet and the media. The spread of false information and negative light being cast about ADHD prevents people from getting diagnosed and treated for ADHD, therefore leaving them to live a life with no help. One way to help stop the stigma of ADHD is by stopping nay-sayers in their tracks with being comfortable saying that one has ADHD or that someone in the family has ADHD (Low, “Importance of ADHD Awareness” 2019). Another way to advocate for ADHD is to continue educating others about the disorder. Education and learning about ADHD and other disorders can make identifying ADHD easier when someone needs help (Insel “Attention on ADHD Awareness Week” 2010).

Overall, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a common disorder that can affect anyone at any age. Raising awareness for ADHD is the best way to educate people on ADHD and get help for people who may need to be tested for ADHD. It is difficult for people to deal with this disorder because it is life altering and can have negative effects on a person’s life if left undiagnosed and untreated. There are many cons to ADHD that shine negative light and make people believe that it is not real. Raising awareness prevents this way of thinking and can change the minds of people who do not believe ADHD exists. ADHD awareness is meant to help people find diagnosis and treatments to help them live a better life and to educate others who may not know anything about it. Without the spread of awareness, people will continue to go untreated and education about ADHD will cease to exists.

References

ADHD Editorial Board (2020). Your Guide to Debunking Annoying ADHD Myths. Retrieved from https://www.additudemag.com/download/facts-about-adhd-debunking-myths/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2020). Data and Statistics about ADHD. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2020). What is ADHD? Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html

Insel, Thomas, (2010). Attention on ADHD Awareness Week. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/directors/thomas-insel/blog/2010/attention-on-adhd-awareness-week.shtml

Low, Keath, (2019). The Importance of ADHD Awareness. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-importance-of-adhd-awareness-20474

Wright, Sarah (2011). A Brief History of ADHD (& ADHD Awareness Week). Retrieved from https://impactparents.com/blog/adhd/a-brief-history-of-adhd-awareness-week/#:~:text=The%20mission%20of%20ADHD%20Awareness,remains%20poorly%20educated%20about%20ADHD.