Imagine that Leonardo da Vinci was a child growing up in contemporary times and school authorities had to determine whether or not he should receive an IEP (Individual Education Plan).  Here’s what the meeting might look like:  Video Transcript Principal:  ”Okay, I think we’re ready to start.  Who wants to get the ball rolling?”‘...Read More

In this concluding video in my 12-part video series ”The Myth of the ADHD Child,” I examine the question ”Does ADHD even exist?” I approach this question from several angles, including the questions: ”Do ADHD symptoms exist?” (yes, they do), ”Does ADHD exist as a de facto disorder?” (yes, it does, it’s in the DSM),...Read More

This video – part 11 in my 12-part video series on The Myth of the ADHD Child – introduces the field of neurodiversity as a better way of thinking about children diagnosed with ADHD. It defines neurodiversity and discusses the problem in positing any kind of ”normal brain” in the general population. The video then...Read More

This video (and accompanying transcript below) looks at six ecological factors contributing to a diagnosis of ADHD including:     ultra-processed food, nature deficit disorder, the decline of rough-and-tumble play, the lack of adequate sunshine, the toxic effects of environmental contaminants, and inadequate sleep. It recommends that we not turn a blind eye to these...Read More

In this video (number 10 in my 12-part video series on The Myth of the ADHD Child), I provide a sociological interpretation of the disorder as a strong counterpoint to the usual depiction of ADHD as a medical disorder with a biochemical basis. I explain how the phenomenon of ADHD emerged over the past several...Read More