Myth: ADHD is an excuse for bad behavior

Transcript

 ADHD is an excuse for bad behavior. This is a super common myth, but the thing is, ADHD isn't about choosing to behave a certain way. It's about differences in brain development that affect impulse control, emotional regulation, working memory, attention, and more. When a student blurts out or leaves their seat or shuts down that isn't manipulation or defiance, it's often, uh, that their nervous system is overwhelmed and they don't have the tools to cope.

But here's the thing, an explanation is not the same thing as an excuse, and I think that's where a lot of educators got it wrong. Um, understanding ADHD doesn't mean that you have to remove expectations. It means that you change how you support students in meeting those expectations.

You still teach boundaries. You still teach accountability, and you still support students in learning from their mistakes. But you also teach skills, offer scaffolding and adjust the environment instead of relying on punishment. For example, if a student is, um, you know, acting out because they are overstimulated, then you can adjust the environment to reduce that stimulation some as opposed to punishing them for the way that their, uh, the way that their behavior communicated that they were overstimulated.

When we label ADHD behaviors as bad, we miss the opportunity to ask better questions, like, what skill is missing here? Do they need help with emotional regulation skills? If so, help with those kinds of skills. What unmet needs need to be addressed? Like the example about overstimulation. What support would help the student succeed next time?

These are the kinds of questions that help move from discipline and punishment to more of a supportive, neurodiversity affirming role. Social Cipher's professional development gives educators these practical tools so that you can understand the root causes of behavior and how to respond in ways that are neurodiversity affirming.

You can learn more at socialcipher.com.

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