| Robbie Raffino used to rise every day like | | | | creative stories, paint beautiful landscapes |
| most eight-year-olds. He'd wipe the | | | | or lacks initiative to work independently. So |
| sleepiness from his eyes, throw on shorts and | | | | why do we assume children with ADHD have a |
| shirt that don't match and eat cereal while | | | | disorder because another part of their brain |
| watching cartoons. | | | | is dominant? |
| | | | |
| But the innocence ended there. He'd swallow | | | | Likewise, it seems absurd to state that |
| his Ritalin, hop on the school bus and enter | | | | children with AHDH cannot focus. In fact, |
| a world where teachers, therapists and | | | | they display unmatched concentration when |
| psychiatrists would try to "fix what is | | | | interested in a project or subject. |
| wrong" with him. | | | | |
| | | | An inordinate amount of time, energy and |
| Children like Robbie-who have tremendous | | | | money is spent trying to change behaviors and |
| energy, don't respond to classroom lectures, | | | | qualities that don't need to be changed-time |
| prefer independent work and are natural | | | | that would be better spent cultivating the |
| leaders-are often diagnosed with Attention | | | | child's natural gifts, talents and passions. |
| Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. | | | | |
| | | | And this is the core of our philosophy. Work |
| Unfortunately, most "experts" begin with the | | | | with the child's nature and wiring, not |
| premise that these children suffer from a | | | | against it. Identify and then cultivate |
| disorder, meaning an "abnormal" functioning | | | | inherent strengths because this is what |
| of the brain. This flawed premise leads to a | | | | successful people in every field do-they |
| natural conclusion-that society must change | | | | focus on their strengths, not their |
| these children to make them learn and behave | | | | weaknesses. |
| like everyone else. | | | | |
| | | | This philosophy leads to a different |
| Parents Shelley and Andy Raffino of Chicago | | | | treatment for children with ADHD. Don't try |
| express a common frustration. "We spent so | | | | to change the children. Change the way you |
| much time trying to fix our son's weaknesses | | | | teach them. Change their environment and |
| that we never focused on his strengths. The | | | | expose them to opportunities for success. |
| constant negativity, pressure and medication | | | | Provide avenues for them to express their |
| destroyed Robbie's confidence." | | | | gifts, talents and passions. |
| | | | |
| Not surprisingly, children subjected to the | | | | This past summer, the Raffinos sent Robbie to |
| endless chorus that "there is something wrong | | | | our Trailblazersâ„¢ Creativity Camp in |
| with you" often lack confidence. Even | | | | the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Rather than |
| well-meaning attempts to medicate further | | | | spend our time figuring out ways to change |
| erode their dignity-the kids feel powerless | | | | Robbie, Celebrate!ADHD collaborated with the |
| to succeed without the help of a pill and | | | | Raffinos to develop a Life Success Action |
| just don't feel like themselves. | | | | Plan that works with Robbie's nature. The |
| | | | positive results have affirmed the wisdom of |
| But what if there really isn't anything wrong | | | | this approach. |
| with these children? How would our attitudes, | | | | |
| 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, |
| differently for a distinct purpose? | | | | feels like himself for the first time in |
| | | | months." He's less irritable and more relaxed |
| Ironically, the very society that has labeled | | | | with friends. And yes, the increased energy |
| and devalued these kids desperately needs the | | | | level is back. |
| unique qualities that only children with ADHD | | | | |
| possess. Who else possesses the energy, | | | | To provide a healthy outlet for Robbie's |
| creativity, innovation, passion and | | | | physical and mental energy, the Rafffinos |
| persistence that lead to breakthroughs in | | | | have provided avenues for Robbie to express |
| science, the arts and business? New research | | | | his creative gifts. He is taking guitar |
| suggests that up to 75% of entrepreneurs | | | | lessons and beginning to build a small, |
| exhibit the classic symptoms of ADHD. | | | | online business selling hand-made crafts. He |
| | | | is putting his energy into activities which |
| Fortunately, organizations such as | | | | breed confidence. |
| Celebrate!ADHD, which equips children with | | | | |
| ADHD for success, champion a more positive | | | | In the classroom, the Raffinos have partnered |
| approach to ADHD that give families like the | | | | with Robbie's teacher to accentuate his |
| Raffinos new options. | | | | strengths. In order to more fully engage |
| | | | Robbie, his teacher is incorporating more |
| Contrary to those who view ADHD through a | | | | hands-on activities, enlisting Robbie's help |
| negative prism, Celebrate!ADHD | | | | in class and focusing assignments on subjects |
| enthusiastically celebrates the unique | | | | that interest him. |
| differences and advantageous traits children | | | | |
| with ADHD possess. | | | | Robbie still has his struggles-as all people |
| | | | do-and his wiring presents challenges. But |
| We believe that current treatments are based | | | | the Raffinos are thrilled with the changes. |
| on a flawed premise and false assumptions. | | | | "It's like we have our little boy back. He's |
| Society does not assume there is something | | | | himself again, and that is priceless. |
| wrong with the child who cannot write | | | | |