Crime and ADHD are sadly linked. However, it does not have to be this way. There is a way to end the ADHD-to-prison pipeline. If we address ADHD in the criminal justice system and in the rest of the world, we can reduce crime and create more positive outcomes for those with ADHD.

In 2019, I wrote a blog post entitled “5 Things Every ADHDer Should Know to Avoid Despair.” In it, I listed 5 things to remember to help maintain a positive mindset. I would like to add 5 more to the list and inspire some hope.

Growing up, I always felt different, and I could never put my finger on why. It was not until I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 20 that I began to understand why I was the way I was. This realization has explained why I always felt different.

I am not someone who paints ADHD as a superpower. However, I am not someone who sees it as the worst thing in the world either. It simply is what it is. It can wreak havoc in your life, but the big three characteristics of ADHD have positive sides to them. Each one has a “flip side.”

This ADHD Awareness Month, I will be exploring different areas of ADHD awareness. Last week, I discussed a new book on ADHD. This week I will be discussing the faulty logic of comparing yourself to others, something we ADHDers should never do.

Last week, I discussed the troubles with impulsivity. This week’s blog post covers the flip side of that discussion. Yes, impulsivity can cause some troubles, but it can also be a fun side of ADHD as well. There are ways of harnessing your impulsivity and using it to your benefit.

The filter that tells you not to say something stupid, mean, or unnecessary does not operate as well when you have ADHD. This leads to saying something you later regret. I remember one time in the 7th grade, I was desperately looking for my homework from the night before. I was digging through my folder, trying to find it. My teacher was talking about the assignment, and I could tell it was getting close to where I needed to prove I had done it. Finally, my teacher reminded us that we should have just left it in our notebook, and I shouted, “Oh, that’s where I put it!”

The most obvious benefit of a reset is a fresh start. Things can get stale if you work at them for too long. Pausing and hitting the reset button allows you a fresh start. You can approach what you are working on with a new perspective and can have a better chance of success.