| Robbie Raffino used to rise every day like most | | | | does not assume there is something wrong with |
| eight-year-olds. He'd wipe the sleepiness from his | | | | the child who cannot write creative stories, paint |
| eyes, throw on shorts and shirt that don't match | | | | beautiful landscapes or lacks initiative to work |
| and eat cereal while watching cartoons. | | | | independently. So why do we assume children |
| But the innocence ended there. He'd swallow his | | | | with ADHD have a disorder because another part |
| Ritalin, hop on the school bus and enter a world | | | | of their brain is dominant? |
| where teachers, therapists and psychiatrists would | | | | Likewise, it seems absurd to state that children |
| try to "fix what is wrong" with him. | | | | with AHDH cannot focus. In fact, they display |
| Children like Robbie-who have tremendous energy, | | | | unmatched concentration when interested in a |
| don't respond to classroom lectures, prefer | | | | project or subject. |
| independent work and are natural leaders-are | | | | An inordinate amount of time, energy and money |
| often diagnosed with Attention Deficit | | | | is spent trying to change behaviors and qualities |
| Hyperactivity Disorder. | | | | that don't need to be changed-time that would be |
| Unfortunately, most "experts" begin with the | | | | better spent cultivating the child's natural gifts, |
| premise that these children suffer from a | | | | talents and passions. |
| disorder, meaning an "abnormal" functioning of the | | | | And this is the core of our philosophy. Work with |
| brain. This flawed premise leads to a natural | | | | the child's nature and wiring, not against it. Identify |
| conclusion-that society must change these children | | | | and then cultivate inherent strengths because this |
| to make them learn and behave like everyone | | | | is what successful people in every field do-they |
| else. | | | | focus on their strengths, not their weaknesses. |
| Parents Shelley and Andy Raffino of Chicago | | | | This philosophy leads to a different treatment for |
| express a common frustration. "We spent so | | | | children with ADHD. Don't try to change the |
| much time trying to fix our son's weaknesses | | | | children. Change the way you teach them. Change |
| that we never focused on his strengths. The | | | | their environment and expose them to |
| constant negativity, pressure and medication | | | | opportunities for success. Provide avenues for |
| destroyed Robbie's confidence." | | | | them to express their gifts, talents and passions. |
| Not surprisingly, children subjected to the endless | | | | This past summer, the Raffinos sent Robbie to |
| chorus that "there is something wrong with you" | | | | our Trailblazersâ„¢ Creativity Camp in the |
| often lack confidence. Even well-meaning attempts | | | | suburbs of Washington, D.C. Rather than spend |
| to medicate further erode their dignity-the kids | | | | our time figuring out ways to change Robbie, |
| feel powerless to succeed without the help of a | | | | Celebrate!ADHD collaborated with the Raffinos to |
| pill and just don't feel like themselves. | | | | develop a Life Success Action Plan that works |
| But what if there really isn't anything wrong with | | | | with Robbie's nature. The positive results have |
| these children? How would our attitudes, | | | | affirmed the wisdom of this approach. |
| treatment and children be affected if we | | | | Robbie no longer takes Ritalin. According to |
| recognized that these children are wired | | | | Shelley Raffino, "Robbie said he feels good, feels |
| differently for a distinct purpose? | | | | like himself for the first time in months." He's less |
| Ironically, the very society that has labeled and | | | | irritable and more relaxed with friends. And yes, |
| devalued these kids desperately needs the unique | | | | the increased energy level is back. |
| qualities that only children with ADHD possess. | | | | To provide a healthy outlet for Robbie's physical |
| Who else possesses the energy, creativity, | | | | and mental energy, the Rafffinos have provided |
| innovation, passion and persistence that lead to | | | | avenues for Robbie to express his creative gifts. |
| breakthroughs in science, the arts and business? | | | | He is taking guitar lessons and beginning to build a |
| New research suggests that up to 75% of | | | | small, online business selling hand-made crafts. He |
| entrepreneurs exhibit the classic symptoms of | | | | is putting his energy into activities which breed |
| ADHD. | | | | confidence. |
| Fortunately, organizations such as | | | | In the classroom, the Raffinos have partnered |
| Celebrate!ADHD, which equips children with ADHD | | | | with Robbie's teacher to accentuate his strengths. |
| for success, champion a more positive approach | | | | In order to more fully engage Robbie, his teacher |
| to ADHD that give families like the Raffinos new | | | | is incorporating more hands-on activities, enlisting |
| options. | | | | Robbie's help in class and focusing assignments on |
| Contrary to those who view ADHD through a | | | | subjects that interest him. |
| negative prism, Celebrate!ADHD enthusiastically | | | | Robbie still has his struggles-as all people do-and |
| celebrates the unique differences and | | | | his wiring presents challenges. But the Raffinos are |
| advantageous traits children with ADHD possess. | | | | thrilled with the changes. "It's like we have our |
| We believe that current treatments are based on | | | | little boy back. He's himself again, and that is |
| a flawed premise and false assumptions. Society | | | | priceless. |