“A big misconception is that ADHD is always like BAHBAHABAH, but sometimes it is very quiet,” said junior Henry Wood, who has been diagnosed with ADHD.

ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is one of the most misunderstood and overgeneralized neurodevelopmental disorders. ADHD can greatly affect your ability to sit still, pay attention, and wait your turn, and can lead to more impulsive behaviors. However, this is not the case for everyone. Many assume ADHD is shown as very loud and noticeable, but this is not always the case.

ADHD is extremely prevalent in school-age children, roughly 11.3%, and the school environment is not always accommodating, with the eight-hour-long days, little movement throughout the day, and the pressure to stay focused throughout the entire week. This is hard enough for anyone, but ADHD hinders individuals by making it even harder to do these tasks. An ADHD diagnosis is only given to those who show signs of it, not just at school.

“When it comes to working at home, I procrastinate a lot, and I really have to work with time management; that’s been a big struggle for me,” said Henry.

Students can be envious of those with ADHD due to extra time during a test or other needed accommodations. Accommodations may be given to students, not to give them an advantage, but to even the playing field.

Morgan Pile, the Upper School Learning Specialist, compared it to “someone who needs glasses, not getting them during a test.” These education plans are also discussed with each student’s teacher to determine how best to teach them. Hackley teachers learn and adapt their teaching style to fit each and every student as best they can.

“The relationship I have with Ms. Pile, the support system Hackley has, and my network have been really helpful for me,” said Henry.

Many students’ ADHD is far more present in middle school and tends to die down throughout high school, possibly because of social pressures from peers. Not only is this expectation to sit still and not talk out of turn in school, but also for the rest of your life, whether it is at a family dinner or at your job. This social pressure can naturally lead those with ADHD to meet this expectation.

ADHD requires looking beyond the overgeneralization and recognizing that everyone has a different brain and that each student deserves “glasses” to ensure an equal education.