Famous People With ADHD - What You Can Learn About ADHD From Da Vinci, Disney, Einstein, and JFK

It is said that some of our most influential leaders,- Robin Williams
inventors, and other historical figures throughoutDoes ADHD Provide An Advantage?
history have either had ADHD or would have metOne close friend and colleague has been known to
the criteria for being diagnosed. To some people,say, "Letting people believe that there are
it is encouraging to know that an individual withadvantages in life just because you have ADD or
ADHD can accomplish great things. Yet for otherADHD is very misleading."
people, this can provide a false sense of hope andThis is not meant to crush dreams or hold people
even send the wrong message.back. Instead, it is to help people understand that
Why? There are those who want people toADHD alone does not make the person. ADHD is
believe that just because you have ADHD, youjust a part of who you or your child is, and it
have incredible advantages and talents. On theshould never be allowed to define an individual.
other hand, there are people who believe that weThe Real Takeaway
are sending a message of false hope.We may never know if the above list of historical
This point is up for debate, and if you ask me, Ifigures actually would have been diagnosed with
have always found that it is the individual personADHD. There is just no way to tell.
who has unique talents. I don't believe that ADHDYes, it's true, many of them were creative and
is an advantage nor a disadvantage.constantly thought "outside of the box." These
Famous People With ADHDare common characteristics associated to an
- Walt Disneyindividual with ADHD. However, it's an unfair
- Albert Einsteincharacterization. Not everyone with ADHD is
- John F. Kennedycreative or thinks outside of the box.
- Leonardo da VinciI believe the reason these people were successful
- Pablo Picassoin life has more to do with who they were as a
- Thomas Edisonperson and not a label, diagnosis, or untreated
- Benjamin Franklincondition.
Celebrities With ADHDTo truly inspire your children to greatness, it only
- Justin Timberlaketakes your belief that they can be,
- Michael Phelpsencouragement from you and others, and a
- Ty Penningtonwillingness to never give up.
- Howie Mandel