There is a belief amongst the pro-neurodiversity promoters that ADHD is normal, doesn’t need fixing or treating, should be embraced by those who have it and by those who don’t, and is actually a Superpower!
The alleged Superpowers in ADHD can include the following (Attitude Mag, 2025):
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1. Hyperfocus – but this typically only works for things the person enjoys doing (especially computer games in children/teens!), or in emergencies or deadlines. At other times focusing on tasks is impossible
2. Problem solving – coming up with unusual solutions to problems, but for most people or children with ADHD, problems just cause an excessive stress response and meltdowns
3. Imagination and creativity – sure, for 5 minutes, then onto the next thing
4. Good memory and observation skills – really, most with ADHD usually have terrible memory and poor observations
5. Multitasking – and being productive doing multiple things at once. But doing the actual things they are supposed to be doing often get missed
6. Endless energy – let’s call it as hyperactivity! But the word “endless” is wrong, as they hit the wall soon enough and burn out
7. Acceptance of others – being more open to inclusivity and differences in others
8. Strong moral compass – knowing what’s right and wrong, really? ADHD is often used as an excuse for poor behaviour.

While I am all for being positive on the positives, you cannot be delusional about ignoring the negatives of ADHD too! The other issue is that these superpowers are not there all the time, but only occasionally or sometimes, or when the situation is needed or wanted.

In a large ADHD Facebook group, someone asked a question to the members, on whether they thought ADHD was a Superpower or not. I went through all the answers to classify them into the following 3 groups:
1. Yes (ADHD is a superpower)
2. No (ADHD is definitely not a superpower)
3. Maybe/Sometimes or both (ADHD can be a superpower sometimes but not at others).

For people who actually have ADHD, the summary of answers were as follows:
1. Yes – 26% (It’s a Superpower)
2. No – 40%
3. Maybe/Sometimes or both (Yes and No) – 34%.

So the largest percentage of respondents at 40% say that ADHD is definitely NOT a Superpower, and nearly 75% of people with ADHD believe that ADHD is NOT a Superpower all of the time!

These results should be a slap in the face to all the pro-neurodiversity people and practitioners who tell people with ADHD (and everyone else) to embrace the ADHD diagnosis, and that it doesn’t need to be treated or helped. Other studies show up to 25% of people with ADHD have it seriously affecting their daily lives, and even 10-15% with debilitating ADHD who need 24/7 care because they cannot function at all. These people would likely have not participated in this survey, otherwise the results would likely have been more in the “No” camp.

What was also interesting in the survey were the comments of those responding, which really hits home the impact that ADHD is not a superpower at all. Here’s some of the comments on whether ADHD is a Superpower:
It’s a f@cking miserable existence.
No I wish I was normal.
No it's a life ruining crippling mental illness that makes you think you can do anything if you just try a little harder, but you just fail time after time.
Oh f@ck off.
No. I don’t see any positives for me it just makes everyday life difficult and exhausting.
NO! Who bloody said it was a superpower? Someone who doesn’t have ADHD, possibly an “expert” in Neurodiversity.
Not in any aspect for me. I don’t mind having ASD (autism) but ADHD is killing me.
The superpower thing is some toxic positivity nonsense. I say this as a reasonably successful person. I'd be more successful without it.
It’s 100% a curse.
Not at all, it's paralysing most of the time. No get up and go. No motivation and crying a lot.
No its a living hell.
No its horrendous.
No ADHD for me is debilitating.
Not on this planet.

And many more comments like these. You get the idea…

You don’t have to live with ADHD, as symptoms can be reduced and reversed to improve your quality of life! This can be done by finding and addressing all the root causes of the ADHD in you or your children. There are ALWAYS root causes to ADHD symptoms, so finding and addressing these root causes will reduce symptoms and reverse the condition.

For more information on ADHD or how I can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in your or your children/family, please see my website here – www.rosswalter.com.au/adhd.html

References:
Attitude Mag. (2025). What I would never trade away. Retrieved 31st October, 2025 from https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/positives-of-adhd/

My goal in my clinical practice with children, teens and adults with Autism/ADHD conditions is to find all the root causes and factors in each person. There are always root causes and factors contributing to these conditions and their symptoms. When the root causes and factors are found, they can be treated, to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

One of the most common factors I find in most people with Autism/ADHD, is having anaemia. Anaemia is defined as having low red blood cells and/or low haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells.

Why is anaemia relevant to Autism/ADHD?

Having anaemia reduces circulation of oxygen around the body, and especially to the brain. If the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen, it won’t be able to function properly, or to make the neurotransmitters for good mental health. Low oxygen to the brain will cause the common Autism/ADHD symptoms of poor memory and concentration, poor focus, headaches, brain fog, anxiety, depression, and more.

Anaemia isn’t all about iron, as there are many types of anaemia which are common in most people with Autism/ADHD, including macrocytic anaemia (from low vitamin B12 and/or folate), microcytic anaemia (from low iron and/or vitamin B6), and many more type.

Anaemia isn’t the only factor contributing to Autism/ADHD, but it is a major one at higher than 80% of cases in my experience! But I’ve never heard of a GP, paediatrician, psychologist etc, who diagnose and “treat” Autism and ADHD conditions, mention the word anaemia as a factor at all. And certainly not part of their treatment plans. In fact, I often get told by patients or parents of children with Autism/ADHD that they are shocked that they or their children have anaemia, or that it’s the first time they have ever been told how anaemia can contribute to the symptoms of Autism or ADHD.

Hence the importance of blood testing for Autism/ADHD to find nutrient deficiencies and causative factors! Addressing these issues can reduce the symptoms of these conditions. But it’s important to see a practitioner who can properly interpret your blood test results, such as an IIFP-trained practitioner, as I am! And see a holistic practitioner who specialises in mental health and Autism/ADHD conditions!
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ADHD is a common diagnosis for people to have, but there are many controversies about this condition and diagnosis.

Such as:

• In every condition or diagnosis, there will ALWAYS be causes of the condition, why do doctors or other practitioners never seem to try to find the causes of the ADHD, and just prescribe medications for it, forever?
• If ADHD is a real diagnosis, why are there not any biochemical, physiological or blood pathology tests available to prove you have ADHD? (ADHD is just a diagnosis of observation of behaviours, or ticking symptoms on a checklist, which isn't ideal nor accurate)
• Why are all the other symptoms and conditions which a person with ADHD has (such as anxiety, digestive issues, food intolerances, sleep issues, inflammation, oxidative stress, anaemia and others), ignored in the diagnosis and "treatment"? Or in other words, the ADHD diagnosis is based on analysing the "head" only, and ignoring all the symptoms of the rest of the body
• Why most people would be diagnosed with ADHD if they completed the diagnostic assessment in times of stress
• Many people with ADHD just say this condition is just "normal", and will take ownership of the condition and not treat it. However there are some serious long-term progressions of this condition if not treated
• Why does ADHD seem to run in families or in some ethnicities in many cases, but not in others?

Hence why I would question any ADHD diagnosis, and why I look into finding all the known root causes of this condition, as there are some known causes which can be easily treated to reduce symptoms and improve health, and not depend on long-term use of medications which cause a lot of side effects.

In this webinar, I will be looking into the details of ADHD, including:

• The problems with diagnosing ADHD, and whether ADHD is a real diagnosis or not!
• What is ADHD compared to other ASD or neurological conditions
• Symptoms of ADHD, including the whole body symptoms that are not taken into account in an ADHD diagnosis
• If ADHD isn't a complete diagnosis or a real condition, and cannot be tested, then what is it?
• Testing for ADHD, and the tests which SHOULD be done but are not typically done
• What are the root causes of ADHD. Yes there are known causes
• The complications or risks of not treating ADHD
• Treating ADHD naturally and holistically
• Research and published studies on ADHD
• And much more.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with ADHD, this webinar can help to understand the condition better, and help to reduce symptoms, improve health, and give long-term resolution for this controversial diagnosis. If you are a health practitioner (Naturopath, Nutritionist, Doctor, or other), this webinar can help you to better understand this diagnosis and other related conditions, and how to better help clients with ADHD. Please share this event to others you know who could benefit from this information.

Tickets: available through the booking link below, at $79 each, and family members can attend and watch together!

https://app.simpleclinic.net/patient/a#/course/view/MKm

The ADHD webinar was recorded from a recent live event and you can access the approximately 10 hours of education, along with other resources. You will be able to access the course for as long and as often as you need, and with no expiry!
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The details of how to access the ADHD training course will be sent immediately after you purchase your ticket!