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1/ Is #ADHD a disability? 
No... But most people with #ADHD are disabled!
Let's talk about how the Social-Political Model of Disability can help us understand why it's so hard living with #ADHD!
#neurodiversity #neurodiversesquad @ADHDFoundation
No... But most people with #ADHD are disabled!
Let's talk about how the Social-Political Model of Disability can help us understand why it's so hard living with #ADHD!
#neurodiversity #neurodiversesquad @ADHDFoundation
2/ Is #ADHD a disability?
People with #ADHD have a different skill set to people who are neurotypical.
In some areas our skills are impaired far below 'normal' functioning. Eg We have very poor memory. The Medical Model of Disability considers this pathology. A fault or flaw.
People with #ADHD have a different skill set to people who are neurotypical.
In some areas our skills are impaired far below 'normal' functioning. Eg We have very poor memory. The Medical Model of Disability considers this pathology. A fault or flaw.
3/ Is #ADHD a disability?
These impairments make it very hard for people with #ADHD to behave or perform as society expects, & in turn to fully participate in society. Eg my poor memory might mean I forget an important meeting and get sacked from my job!
These impairments make it very hard for people with #ADHD to behave or perform as society expects, & in turn to fully participate in society. Eg my poor memory might mean I forget an important meeting and get sacked from my job!
4/ Is #ADHD a disability?
But is the flaw/fault with the person?
No! The Social-Political Model of Disability says it's societal. By setting inflexible expectations & demands, an unjust society imposes 'barriers' to a person with #ADHD being able to flourish.
But is the flaw/fault with the person?
No! The Social-Political Model of Disability says it's societal. By setting inflexible expectations & demands, an unjust society imposes 'barriers' to a person with #ADHD being able to flourish.
5/ is #ADHD a disability?
Society could remove these 'barriers' by changing its expectations (I.e. Tolerating different behaviours) or making adjustments (eg offering help and support). Eg Many workers with #ADHD can flourish when they have a PA to help them organise themselves!
Society could remove these 'barriers' by changing its expectations (I.e. Tolerating different behaviours) or making adjustments (eg offering help and support). Eg Many workers with #ADHD can flourish when they have a PA to help them organise themselves!
6/ is #ADHD a disability?
Therefore, people with #ADHD are disabled by an unjust society that disables, excludes and degrades them with unfair judgement and demands. No wonder we always feel so tired!
Therefore, people with #ADHD are disabled by an unjust society that disables, excludes and degrades them with unfair judgement and demands. No wonder we always feel so tired!
7/ is #ADHD a disability?
In fact, this unfair judgement & these unfair demands, means many people with #ADHD develop anxiety. Because the world is always criticising us for things we do not understand (eg social norms) or cannot help (eg forgetting things).
In fact, this unfair judgement & these unfair demands, means many people with #ADHD develop anxiety. Because the world is always criticising us for things we do not understand (eg social norms) or cannot help (eg forgetting things).
8/ is #ADHD a disability?
This exclusion & criticism also leads to depression. And a terrible sense of inadequacy. Because - and this is perhaps cruelest of all - society teaches we are all to blame for our 'mistakes'. So many people with #ADHD come to believe we're 'useless'.
This exclusion & criticism also leads to depression. And a terrible sense of inadequacy. Because - and this is perhaps cruelest of all - society teaches we are all to blame for our 'mistakes'. So many people with #ADHD come to believe we're 'useless'.
9/ is #ADHD a disability?
It's always easy and effective for the majority to blame the minority for being the problem. But here, as with so much else in our world, the problem lies with society. With an absence of justice, and a failure to celebrate our diversity.
It's always easy and effective for the majority to blame the minority for being the problem. But here, as with so much else in our world, the problem lies with society. With an absence of justice, and a failure to celebrate our diversity.
