Demystifying ADHD and promoting student resiliency.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is known as a chronic, neurodevelopmental condition that impairs one’s functioning and development. ADHD is believed to be one of the most common neurobehavioral diagnoses in childhood, affecting approximately 5% of children. ADHD is heterogeneous and intricate in nature and often overlaps with other disorders, which can complicate treatment. Overall, students with ADHD are at substantial risk for negative outcomes in all areas of functioning. Given the complexity of ADHD and its associated risks, professionals must have a thorough understanding of ADHD, along with its associated impairments and comorbidities, to create innovative, effective, quality, and individualized interventions to compensate for student difficulties and promote student resiliency. Understanding resiliency is important because, as the past fifty years of research has suggested, resiliency facilitates better adjustment than expected for individuals faced with significant risk factors, such as ADHD.