ADHD IS NOT A REAL DISORDER.

<u>FACT:</u> ADHD is a common neuro-developmental disorder. The prevalence of ADHD in India, has been reported to be 1.6–17.9%. Results of Neuroimaging studies have shown structural differences in the ADHD brain. People with ADHD have differences in areas of the brain in cerebellum that play a role in focus and attention for example, smaller prefrontal cortex.

ADHD ONLY AFFECTS BOYS.

<u>FACT:</u> Prevalence rate of ADHD is reported as higher in males compared with females. This difference cannot be evaluated as girls being less susceptible to the disorder. The problem lies in how the symptoms of ADHD are manifested in girls. In girls the symptoms tend to be subtle and hence it is hard to identify girls with this disorder. Girls with ADHD show internalized symptoms such as daydreaming, inattentiveness and low self-esteem. Boys tend to be more physically aggressive, while girls tend to be more verbally aggressive.

PEOPLE WITH ADHD ARE LAZY

<u>FACT</u>: One of the major symptoms of ADHD is difficulty completing tasks. Children with ADHD experience more stress than others which can lead to anxiety. If the task presented is perceived as stressful, their natural response is to want to avoid it. This is therefore not about laziness, but about self protection.

PEOPLE WITH ADHD CANNOT FOCUS AT ALL

<u>FACT</u>: One of the prominent symptoms of ADHD is getting easily distracted and not being able to focus on tasks. This does not mean the child does not have the ability to focus on anything. People with ADHD can pay great deal of attention to the few things they enjoy. Sometimes they may show a condition called Hyperfocus, a condition where a child finds it difficult to shift attention from one activity to another.

PEOPLE WITH ADHD ARE JUST HYPERACTIVE

<u>FACT</u>: ADHD is not just about not being able to sit straight for a long period or running around full of energy. Children with ADHD face issues such as inattention, stress, anxiety.

CHILDREN WITH ADHD WILL OUTGROW IT

<u>FACT</u>: About 70 out of 100 children with ADHD continue to have symptoms during their teen years and about 50 out of 100 have symptoms into adulthood. ADHD predisposes them to mood disorders, anxiety, and substance abuse in adults. They are also likely to experience career difficulties, legal and financial problems, and troubled personal relationships, if they do not seek help

IT IS CAUSED BY BAD PARENTING, THE CHILD NEEDS TO BE DISCIPLINED

<u>FACT:</u> Parenting does not cause ADHD. It is a matter of brain chemistry. Children with ADHD find it difficult to adhere to rules because they have difficulty controlling their impulses. Discipline and relationship problems are the consequences of ADHD behavior problems in the children, not the cause.