Is ADHD a Superpower?!

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/