ADHD *ish…when the norm is too normalized

I didn’t intend to write a book on this subject matter, not to write another one of those types of books… you know, all of a sudden you exist because something gave the green light; ooh data.

Well, how does that work? Where was this information 30 and 40 years ago? Where was the validation and support acknowledging that people are diverse in their thinking processes.

Policies -the often silent, hidden influencer; social standards, and norms that underlie it all.

So, what exactly is the term ADHD*ish? Let’s break it down.

Developed through years of lived experience, it’s a term designed to put emphasis on the unique qualities of individuals like myself who share similar qualities of ADHD but without the diagnoses. These qualities extend beyond the paradigm of ADHD-

on its very own path of evolution, beyond the negativity of deficit and stigma associated with the medical term. Instead, it highlights unique qualities, a shift in paradigms to support individuals with diverse perspectives and interests.

As a kid, the process of processing information was exhausting.

It was less of the “firehose-to-the-mouth” feeling and more of a “firehose directly to my brain” . Not enough buckets in place to catch,sort, and store information.

Like a lifetime of information all at once pouring into my mind. like sticking my head in a lamp with hundreds of fire flies — rather moths, with their own agenda. School was like on-the-job training of constant sorting of relevant from irrelevant information, which then needed to be organized in a linear way. Meanwhile all eyes had to be on the teacher, “the teacher centered approach”. those were the times we were in.

With kids like myself with big personalities and big thoughts, it was like cutting off both of my arms to fit into a shirt.

That is pretty heavy stuff to sort out considering I didn’t even go through puberty yet.

My SAVING GRACE

growing up in a creative household where my mother, was progressive in her thinking, artistic approach to her problem-solving — -

She often encouraged me to figure it out and to just relax and be myself — it was painful at times — lots of anxiety.

sometimes it worked sometimes it didn’t,

Like the time I was in art class, I was about 7 years old. We were suppose to draw a picture of a house on paper. I decided to cut up the paper and build a house. My teacher leaned over to me and said,” next time- follow directions”. You win some — you loose some. It was a pretty cool house though-

I mean, I would have loved to live in it!

When I was about 10 or 11 years old and was pulled out of my class to take these — god awful specialized tests. My anxiety was through the roof. What were these test really confirming? How am I suppose to think under this pressure? If I fail these test, am I retarded? Will they put me in a HC class?

In our apartment in Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn NY

— behind closed doors I had more agency at home- I could do stuff, I felt valuable. I was a part of a team. I contributed to the team which comprised of my two older siblings (my younger sister wasn’t born yet) and mom. Mom was young — and very progressive. A social worker — and community advocate.

Mom believed in me when I didn’t know what to believe; I was grateful for my tribe. In our apartment was were I felt safest, and its where I began to sort through and often develop different paradigms that helped me ground and anchor my experiences more effectively. I mean — school was school, but their were other paradigms that were even more important. Not only was I street smart — but I began to build and test paradigms, different models — different perspectives. My instincts became a reliable superpower.

Black children historically were under the radar of concern in society.

Before cellphones (BCP) you would not catch me being lured in the back of no ones van — over no damn lollypop. EVER.

Another one of my superpowers is functionality over appearance. How something or someone functions is what stands out — not optics.

I had issues with teachers who were authoritarians and later on

BOSSES- WHO BOSSED.

Along the same lines, by the time I reached high school, I was popular, but I gravitated towards people who where not afraid to be themselves — and usually they were not the popular kids — but they were everything to me.

Crafting words and theories that resonate with functionality has always been second nature to me. This knack not only aids in anchoring information but also facilitates its integration, making it inherently true for me.

Subtitle:Disruptive, Holistic leadership for parents…

the word Disruptive in this context — functions more like the word interrupt- as in Interrupt old ways of thinking. The act of injecting new options into a situation, or creating a better situation entirely. Newer blue prints and frameworks-

It signifies the freedom to choose from a wider array of possibilities and the courage to add more options. It eliminates the notion of scarcity, offering alternatives beyond ‘this or nothing at all’.”

Integrity, like a table with four legs.

wellness and stability emerge from nurturing and balancing all facets of one’s being, fostering a sense of strength, resilience, and completeness.

LEADERSHIP FOR PARENTS

Parenting offers a gateway to entrepreneurship and forward-thinking, where you can innovate and leave behind outdated ideas. It’s about creating your own methods to nurture your children, disregarding traditional boundaries, and embracing entrepreneurial thinking. In parenting, you have the chance to uncover your children’s unique qualities and support them authentically, even when norms suggest limitations.

So what is ADHD *ish, Disruptive, Holistic, leadership for parents really about?

“ADHD-ish” is ultimately a book about options. Having more parts to choose from, hopefully turning information from non-usable to usable information — adding value -

how you see fit for however you choose to use it.

These beautiful qualities are on their own timeline — there on evolution, navigating from under the stigma umbrella and symptoms — -which in itself is defined by other paradigms. It’s not a bad thing — it’s just not the only thing. This is a deeper and greater discussion — the parts of the book are moving parts which can branch off into other areas, industries, genres — at least that is how I think of it. Sharing my expertise — my lived experiences.

Being the number one expert in these shoes. As you are in yours.

NEXT UP

Before the story begins ….

there is — — — — the front matter of the book.

This space always freaked me out.