4 Things You Didn’t Know About ADHD in Honor of ADHD Awareness Month

In October, ADHD Awareness Month is observed as a way to bring attention to one of the most common mental health conditions impacting children and adults. According to the ADHD Awareness Month website, the event aims to address misconceptions surrounding ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and highlight the experiences of those living with the disorder.

According to CDC data from 2016-2019, 9.8% of children aged 3-17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. 4.4% of adults aged 18-44 have a current diagnosis of ADHD as well. That amounts to millions of adults and children nationwide. It is imperative that we understand this disorder and know the difference between the myths and the facts surrounding it. The more we know about this condition, the more we can destigmatize it and ensure more people receive the care they need.

4 Things You Didn’t Know about ADHD in Honor of ADHD Awareness Month

1. Parent Training is an Option for Families with ADHD Children

Many parents struggle to assist children who have been diagnosed with ADHD. This is because they don’t usually have the tools they need to be successful. In many cases, parents even fail to realize their child has a mental condition that requires treatment. While kids with ADHD need direct tools, medical treatment and therapy or coaching, parents also need resources so they can help their children thrive. The aim of parent training is to provide parents with the techniques and strategies they need to help their ADHD children lead a fulfilling life.

2. ADHD Can Run in Families

Individuals with ADHD tend to have a higher load of ADHD variants in their genes. The more variants both parents possess in their DNA, the more likely it is that their children will also have more. This means there is an increased chance that they’ll pass ADHD on to their children. However, it is important to note that ADHD is not only passed on genetically, and many parents do not transmit the condition to their kids.

3. It’s Incredibly Important to Receive Treatment for Adult ADHD

About 10 million adults have ADHD. Many don’t know it, so that number could be even higher. Unfortunately, adults with ADHD may dismiss their symptoms or attribute them to personal failures. They often struggle to maintain their jobs, complete daily tasks, and foster healthy, long-lasting relationships. For this reason, many adults with ADHD may also suffer from depression, additional disorders, or an addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Ultimately, being aware of ADHD is the first step to receiving treatment. This is why events like ADHD Awareness Month are so crucial. Adults need to be aware of the signs and symptoms so they can ascertain whether they need help.

Some adult ADHD symptoms include:

  • Difficulty focusing on tasks
  • Mood swings
  • Trouble managing time
  • Impulsive behavior
  • Unable to organize, plan and prioritize tasks
  • Getting frustrated easily
  • Difficulty dealing with stress

If you are wondering if you have ADHD, or you know an adult who is questioning their symptoms, get in touch with an expert. These challenges don’t have to be a part of your daily life. The majority of people who receive ADHD treatment learn strategies and methods to cope with the disorder and live healthy, fulfilling lives as a result.

Only a professional can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and ensure you receive the right treatment. However, the ADHD Awareness Month website offers an Adult ADHD Self Screener to help determine whether your symptoms may be ADHD-related.

4. ADHD Isn’t Only Caused by Genetic Factors

As we mentioned earlier, ADHD is genetically influenced, but there are other factors to consider. Today, there is still a lot of research being done to isolate the causes of ADHD, as it is a highly complex condition. In the end, the chief causes are unknown, but recent studies have provided some insight. Most researchers tend to agree that it is triggered by both genetic and environmental factors.

Some people are more at risk for ADHD than others, such as individuals who were born prematurely, those who have experienced brain damage or were exposed to environmental toxins, and people suffering from conditions like epilepsy. As the CDC states, some common theories such as eating too much sugar or watching TV are largely inaccurate. Data does not suggest that these behaviors are related to the development of ADHD.

Learn More about Programs Designed to Treat ADHD at Lead4Life, Inc.

At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources like mental health tips so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills. Visit our website or contact us at 240-499-8949 for more information about ADHD Awareness Month.

Benefits of Victim Awareness Programs

It’s natural to make mistakes when we’re young. In our youth, emotions run high, peer pressure is prevalent, and we’re learning that our actions have consequences. However, some mistakes have far-reaching consequences. In 2020, youth accounted for 1 in 14 arrests for violent crimes. Thankfully, this number is declining, but many young people still commit crimes that put their futures (and that of others) at risk.

Let’s say that some friends pressured you into stealing some items at a convenience store. Maybe you knew it was wrong, but you wanted to impress your friends or prove that you belonged in their group. Of course, you probably had to face some harsh consequences as a result. It’s likely that your parents were disappointed in your behavior at the least. If you were caught and charged with a crime, your snap decision might have come a much greater cost.

At Lead4Life, we believe first-time offenders deserve a second chance. Additionally, we make it our mission to help young people learn from their mistakes and build a positive future for themselves. That’s why we offer an exceptional victim awareness program for participants between the ages of 10 and 20.

What Exactly Are Victim Awareness Programs?

A victim awareness program is a service designed to provide first-time offenders of crime with resources, education and support. At Lead4Life, individuals who take part in our VA programs have access to a safe, judgement-free space that allows them to receive the help they need. Through victim awareness programs, participants also learn about the effect their crime had on others. By taking responsibility for their actions, they learn to move forward in a positive direction.

What Do They Accomplish?

  • Teaching accountability. Young offenders are taught to speak freely about their crime and its consequences. Through open conversations with a trusted specialist, individuals learn that blaming others doesn’t help. Even if your friends pressured you to steal something, for instance, you still made the decision to participate. In this situation, it’s important to face the consequences and accept your role in the crime.
  • Developing empathy. First-time offenders often don’t think about how their crime affected others. The threat of punishment is usually the first thing on someone’s mind.  Will they have to enter the juvenile justice system? Will this affect the rest of their life? Victim awareness programs teach first-time offenders to recalibrate their perspective. When they put themselves in the shoes of their victim(s), they learn to develop empathy and understanding. How did they make that person feel? How was the victim’s life affected?
  • Learning about the impacts of crime. Let’s go back to our group of friends who engaged in theft at a local convenience store. At the time, the young offenders were probably caught up in the moment. They may have even felt thrilled to do something that felt dangerous or forbidden. However, they probably weren’t thinking about the owner of the store, a struggling business owner who has four children to feed. They’ll not only have to pay for those stolen goods, but they may be fearful of future attacks. During victim awareness programs, offenders learn about the impact of their crimes and how harmful their actions were to others.
  • Making amends. Finally, victim awareness programs give offenders the chance to make amends with their community. Once as a first-time offender understands the effects of their crime, they often seek forgiveness. This might involve speaking with a victim if the other party is open to it. While offenders must still face the consequences, they can move forward knowing that there is always the possibility of a second chance. In many cases, victims are also appreciative when offenders apologize and attempt to right their wrongs.

Sign Up for Our Victim Awareness Program at Lead4Life, Inc.

At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources like mental health tips so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills. Visit our website or contact us at 240-499-8949 for more information about our victim awareness program.