When your child is diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a list of worries begins running through your head. How will other parents and kids react to my child? Will my child succeed at school and land a rewarding career?

While children with ADHD certainly face challenges, it is also important to recognize and share with your child the benefits of ADHD. Here are a few examples:

• Creativity — People with ADHD have been classified by some as visionaries because of their intense creativity and willingness to take on seemingly impossible tasks. A study in the Journal of Personality and Individual Differences found that people with ADHD scored higher on various measures of creativity than those without ADHD.
• Charisma – People with ADHD are often full of personality and wit, which makes them not only fun to be around but also great at stirring enthusiasm in others.
• Empathy – Many children with ADHD display an abundance of compassion for others and an ability to understand a variety of perspectives. This makes them great friends and companions.
• Energy – When given a project or mission they are passionate about, children with ADHD can have boundless energy and ambition. This can make them great problem-solvers and out-of-the-box thinkers.
• Humor – Everyone loves a good laugh, and this is particularly true of children with ADHD. Beyond enjoying a good laugh, children with ADHD often have an infectious sense of humor, making them a pleasure to be around.
• Resilience – Like other children who are “different,” kids with ADHD learn early on how to overcome challenges and manage criticism. Given a healthy support system, they can learn from their mistakes, embrace their differences and bounce back from hardship. They can also help others realize that it is our differences that make us strong.

A Bright Future for Children with ADHD

Because of their talents, children with ADHD often grow into accomplished photographers, artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers, chefs, sports coaches and salespeople. Examples of well-known achievers and pioneers who are rumored to have had ADHD include:

• Lisa Ling
• Walt Disney
• Bill Gates
• Steven Spielberg
• Mary-Kate Olsen
• Simone Biles
• Katherine Ellison
• Robin Williams
• Stevie Wonder
• Pablo Picasso
• Babe Ruth
• Thomas Edison
• Albert Einstein
• Abraham Lincoln

Help Your ADHD Child Be Their Best

While all of these positive attributes may be stirring deep within your child, they may need to be nurtured to fully develop. Specialized ADHD summer camps can help children with ADHD learn to direct their energies in positive ways and advocate for themselves to get their needs met. With help from ADHD specialists, your child can learn to harness their talents and improve in challenge areas, while building self-esteem.

ADHD is just one part of who your child is – a part that actually can be a great advantage. Rather than dwelling  on your child’s challenges, keep sight of your child’s many strengths and you and everyone around you may begin to see them through a new lens.