Ben Glenn for ADHD Awareness Week Interview

Ben Glenn for ADHD Awareness Week Interview

October 16-22, 2011 is ADHD Awareness week

The CDC estimates that there are four million children and eight million adults living with ADHD in the U.S.
While the statistics are simple to grasp, understanding the intricacies of ADHD can be far more daunting.
Enter Ben Glenn, an ADHD expert (and diagnosed adult), Glenn speaks to ADHD with a revolutionary approach: It's easy to understand.

The author of three books on ADHD, he has traveled extensively throughout the country and the globe,
Explaining ADHD in a digestible manner to kids and adults
Dispelling myths and misunderstandings
Teaching students and educators alike how to best cope with ADHD in the classroom and at home.

For more information, visit www.SimpleADHDExpert.com

Interview with Ben Glenn

Question: What is ADHD?

Ben Glenn: At its simplest ADHD is the inability to sustain attention and the person who has it is generally restless, fidgety, impulsive and struggles with sustaining productivity. The deeper issue is that people with ADHD have problems with that part of their brain that controls executive functions (the pre-frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex), things like being able to initiate a task, knowing when to put on the brakes, being able to easily transition from one task to another, being systematic and able to maintain order, being able to self-monitor and control one's emotions and also, being able to hold onto information vital to completing a task. Personally, it also means I am really good at entertaining myself!


Question: Could you talk about the peaks and pitfalls of ADHD?

Ben Glenn: First the pitfalls. ADHD is the consummate disorder of time management. People who have it are time blind. Add to that impulsivity and distractibility and it's not hard to see why someone with ADHD is not able to complete a task without exerting A LOT of effort. Getting organised, prioritising their activities, being on time, and completing tasks is a constant struggle. In school children, hyperactivity is a great challenge in the classroom. Add to that extreme forgetfulness and you can see how frustrating this disorder can be. On the PLUS side, people with ADHD are usually amazingly creative. They are intuitive, and for the most part full of positive energy. When it comes to working on something that they are excited about, people with ADHD are almost superhero like with their 'hyperfocus". People with ADHD tend to be generous and compassionate. They often have a great sense of humor, and the ability to inspire others. With the right attitude, helpful accommodations, the right support system, these people can become very successful.

Question: What signs and symptoms can a parent look for to determine if their child may have ADHD?

Ben Glenn: It's a lot easier to spot ADHD if the child is hyperactive, but lots of kids are not. So look for consistent, chronic distractibility and forgetfulness. Does your child seem to not 'hear" you when you're talking to him? Is she always running late? Is he extremely messy, disorganised and never cleans up after himself without multiple reminders? Does she constantly interrupt you or blurt out things without thinking? Is he hard to get up in the morning and impossible to put to bed at night? Are teachers telling you that she could be a great student if only she paid attention in class? Does he seem to forget everything you tell him the second after you say it? Is she constantly losing things?

Keep in mind that in and off themselves, all of these behaviors can be exhibited by kids who do not have ADHD. HOWEVER, if your child displays MOST of these, MOST of the time, then it ADHD might be a very real possibility.


Question: Is ADHD over-diagnosed?

Ben Glenn: It 'feels" like it is, but then again there are statistics that show over AND under diagnosis. I personally, don't believe that ADHD is over-diagnosed. What has happened is that testing is more readily available now than ever and people are more aware of ADHD. Also, there have been several studies that have found statistical proof that a genetic link exists between parents and kids diagnosed with ADHD. And anecdotally as well, I have heard dozen of stories from parents in my audience who recognised ADHD in themselves once their kids were diagnosed. So parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD are now going out to get tested and see if they have it too. More people getting tested = more people getting diagnosed. Are some people mis-diagnosed? Sure! Is this a big pharma conspiracy? I don't think so. Is ADHD a real struggle and something that impairs the day-to-day lives of people who have it? Absolutely. And as such, if a diagnosis helps the person have access to treatment, then I'm all for it.


Question: Are you able to share you own experiences with Dyslexia and ADHD?

Ben Glenn: I've actually written a book specifically about that just because there is SO much to share. There is one thing that I do want to mention.

ADHD is probably the most treatable of all psychiatric disorders and has one of the best outcomes if the person who has it gets the right kind of help. But because people who have it appear to be normal by most standards, they don't get the same understanding and sympathy extended to them as say people with depression or autism. The fact that some people, physicians even, still question that ADHD is real, in spite of multiple studies over many years, is a perfect example of that. Yet, ADHD is a real disorder. And it's absolutely no fun for the person who has it, especially to a child. I hated being labeled as Learning Disabled. I was teased and treated like a dummy. I struggled with things that were easy for everyone else and in no time at all, I was walking around feeling like a mistake, like a loser with no future. For a while there I really lost all hope. This is a terrible way to grow up. Thank God for teachers who 'get it!" I had a couple and that made a lot of difference for me.

All that to say, don't be quick to dismiss ADHD as a myth and to judge the parents, teachers and doctors who are part of the diagnosis/treatment cycle. If you really want to know the truth, go spend a week living in a house that has kids with ADHD.


Question: When is ADHD typically diagnosed?

Ben Glenn: ADHD seems to get diagnosed a great deal in the 3rd grade. I think this is because the academic expectation and the need for students to sit in one place for greater periods of time becomes more demanding at that point. However, just this past Sunday, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines for treatment and diagnosis lowering the age of diagnosis from 6 to 4. So we'll see what happens. And as I mentioned earlier, because of the kids getting diagnosed more, their parents and even grandparents are getting tested. I've met people who got their official diagnoses in their 60s!

Question: Can you talk about some of the misunderstandings often associated with ADHD?

Ben Glenn: There are people out there who don't believe that ADHD is a real disorder. And they like to play the blame game: It's the greedy drug companies wanting to make money, it's the neglectful parents that don't spend enough time with their kids or don't discipline them, it's the lazy teachers who don't want to keep up with their students, it's the ignorant doctors who'll can't tell a real disorder from an imaginary one. My personal feeling is that the folks who make these claims either 1. have never interacted for any meaningful amount of time with a family with kids who have ADHD or 2. have some kind of a chip on their shoulder either about drug companies or teachers or physicians.

All that a person who wants to know the facts needs to do is a little research and it becomes apparent that ADHD is not only based in concrete, scientific evidence, but that it's a real problem and that people who have it are really hurting.

The other misunderstanding about ADHD is that it's all about someone not being able to focus, which is a very shallow and narrow definition. The fact is that people with ADHD can focus supremely well, better than most 'normal" people except that it needs to be something they are engaged and stimulated by. THAT is why ADHD does not exist in front of video games.


Question: How can parents and teachers cope with ADHD?

Ben Glenn: 1. Stay Positive
2. Believe in your Child (student) and praise them often
3. Remember: that annoying, hyper, impulsive kid is not doing these things on purpose
4. You can't take care of them unless you take care of you
5. Create a reward system to counteract all the 'disciplining" you're doing on a daily basis
6. Keep it fun - make their tasks more 'sparkly" and you'll hang onto their attention longer
7. Educate yourself and really own your role as your child's advocate


Question: Can you share your revolutionary approach to ADHD that works worldwide?

Ben Glenn: I'm really passionate about encouraging parents and teachers to think outside the box. I believe that ADHD is a special disorder because it has so many positive characteristics to offset the negative ones. I tell my audiences that getting a diagnosis of ADHD is not the end of the road, it's the beginning of an amazing adventure. It's definitely not all fun and games, but with support, treatment and having people in your life who understand how the ADHD brain functions, anything is possible! All that to say, don't be afraid of being unconventional. Let your students sit on an exercise ball instead of a regular chair or stand at a tall table in the back of the classroom. Don't discount the dreams your kids might have of being artists or musicians or jugglers instead of doctors and lawyers and architects - they can be extremely successful doing something completely unorthodox with their lives. Getting As in school and a college degree is no longer the only road to success. And don't be afraid! Educate yourself, network with others in the same situation and stay strong. ADHD is one heck of a ride!

Interview by Brooke Hunter