Fact or Myth 1
Only boys have ADHD.
Myth!
Girls can have ADHD too! It just looks different for some people. Some girls might not be as hyper but may still have trouble paying attention.
People with ADHD can read minds.
Totally False!
ADHD doesn’t give anyone superpowers like reading minds. It just means their brain works a little differently, especially when it comes to paying attention or sitting still.
ADHD is not caused by eating too much sugar.
Fact!
ADHD is something you're born with, and it’s not caused by eating certain foods like sugar. Sugar might make some kids extra energetic, but it doesn’t cause ADHD.
People with ADHD can run faster than everyone else.
Of course not!
ADHD doesn’t make anyone faster at running! It only affects how people focus and stay organized, not how fast they can move.
ADHD means you're not trying hard enough.
Myth!
People with ADHD often try really hard, but their brains work differently. They might need extra help to stay organized and focused, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t putting in effort.
Some kids with ADHD might talk a lot or interrupt others without meaning to.
Fact!
ADHD can make it hard to wait for their turn to talk, so they might interrupt without realizing it. This happens because their brain is moving fast and they want to share their thoughts quickly.
ADHD is something you're born with, and it affects how your brain works.
Fact!
ADHD is part of how someone’s brain is wired, and it’s something that’s been there since they were born.
People with ADHD can’t ever pay attention.
Myth!
People with ADHD can pay attention, especially if they are really interested in something. It’s just harder for them to focus on things they don’t find as fun or exciting.
People with ADHD will always have trouble making friends.
Myth!
Some people with ADHD might find it hard to make friends, but with help and practice, they can learn how to build friendships just like anyone else.
ADHD is caused by watching too much TV or playing video games.
Myth!
ADHD is something you're born with; it’s not caused by what you do, like watching TV. Things like screen time don’t cause ADHD but might make focusing harder.
Kids with ADHD just need more discipline.
Myth!
ADHD isn't about being "naughty." More discipline won't fix it, but understanding and tools can help kids manage their ADHD.
ADHD can make some kids daydream a lot.
Fact!
Some kids with ADHD don’t move around much but instead might seem like they're in their own world, daydreaming and not paying attention.
People with ADHD are lazy.
Myth!
People with ADHD are not lazy. Their brains just need different ways to stay focused and organized, and they often try really hard.
ADHD can make it harder to finish tasks that take a long time.
Fact!
People with ADHD might start tasks but struggle to stay focused for a long time, especially if the task isn’t exciting or fun.
Some kids with ADHD might move around a lot because their brains are busy.
Fact!
Sometimes, kids with ADHD feel like they need to move or fidget because their brains are always active and it helps them focus better.
People with ADHD sometimes act without thinking first, like saying something too quickly.
Fact!
ADHD can make it hard to stop and think before acting or speaking, so sometimes people with ADHD might blurt things out without meaning to.
ADHD is just an excuse for bad behavior.
Myth!
ADHD is about how the brain works, not bad behavior. People with ADHD sometimes act differently because it's harder to focus or control impulses.
Kids with ADHD can still do great in school with the right help.
Fact!
Even though school might be hard sometimes, kids with ADHD can learn and succeed with extra support and strategies.
ADHD can make it tough to remember things, even if you try really hard.
Fact!
ADHD can affect how the brain organizes information, making it hard to remember things sometimes, even when someone is trying their best.
People with ADHD can be very creative.
Fact!
ADHD can make people’s brains think differently, and this can help them come up with creative ideas or solutions that others might not think of.
Everyone with ADHD is hyperactive.
Myth!
Not everyone with ADHD is hyperactive. Some people with ADHD might daydream a lot or have trouble paying attention, without moving around a lot.
Everyone with ADHD is different—what's hard for one person might not be hard for another.
Fact!
ADHD affects people in different ways. One person might have trouble sitting still, while another might find it hard to focus, but everyone is unique.
People with ADHD are just as smart as everyone else.
Fact!
ADHD doesn’t affect how smart someone is. It just means they might need to find different ways to focus and learn.
If you can focus on something fun, you can't have ADHD.
Myth!
People with ADHD can focus really well on things they enjoy. The hard part is focusing on things they don’t find fun or exciting.
You can outgrow ADHD.
Myth!
ADHD doesn’t just go away. Some things might get easier over time, but people can still have ADHD as adults.