Being an ADD/ADHD youth worker #2: A different definition

 Right off the bat I want to say that being ADD isn't the worst thing in the world. My father, an international corporation CEO, who was clearly ADHD and a nephew, a lawyer, who is clearly ADHD and I (only ADD), a minister, have done quite well, not only coping with our condition but making the most of it.

• I do not consider being ADD either being a “deficit” nor a “disorder”
• In fact, I feel that those people who only pay attention to one thing at a time have the attention deficit. If anything I have attention surfeit: I pay attention to way too many things – simultaneously. ADD people have a lot of attention.
• ADD is a condition, not a disorder. It is like being left-handed. It is also a continuum, with some being more ADD and others less so.
• ADD is a special condition which I consider to be a blessing although it sure can be annoying from time to time. But me and my nephew are grateful to my father for passing this on to us, genetically.

Bottom line, let's learn to accept ADD/ADHD and rather than trying to “Cure them” let's help them/us make good use of their special gift and minimize the down sides.