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Last updated March 22, 2024

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Blog > Common App , Essay Advice , Personal Statement > How to Write a College Essay About ADHD

How to Write a College Essay About ADHD

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University Admissions

Key Takeaway

ADHD and ADD are becoming more prevalent, more frequently diagnosed, and better understood.

The exact number of college students with ADHD is unclear with estimates ranging wildly from just 2% to 16% or higher.

Regardless of the raw numbers, an ADHD diagnosis feels very personal, and it is not surprising that many students consider writing a college essay about ADHD.

If you are thinking about writing about ADHD, consider these three approaches. From our experience in admissions offices, we’ve found them to be the most successful.

First, a Note on the Additional Information Section

Before we get into the three approaches, I want to note that your Common App personal statement isn’t the only place you can communicate information about your experiences to admissions officers.

You can also use the additional information section.

The additional information section is less formal than your personal statement. It doesn’t have to be in essay format, and what you write there will simply give your admissions officers context. In other words, admissions officers won’t be evaluating what you write in the additional information section in the same way they’ll evaluate your personal statement.

You might opt to put information about your ADHD (or any other health or mental health situations) in the additional information section so that admissions officers are still aware of your experiences but you still have the flexibility to write your personal statement on whatever topic you choose.

Three Ways to Write Your College Essay About ADHD

If you feel like the additional information section isn’t your best bet and you’d prefer to write about ADHD in your personal statement or a supplemental essay, you might find one of the following approaches helpful.

1) Using ADHD to understand your trends in high school and looking optimistically towards college

This approach takes the reader on a journey from struggle and confusion in earlier years, through a diagnosis and the subsequent fallout, to the present with more wisdom and better grades, and then ends on a note about the future and what college will hold.

If you were diagnosed somewhere between 8th and 10th grade, this approach might work well for you. It can help you contextualize a dip in grades at the beginning of high school and emphasize that your upward grade trend is here to stay.

The last part—looking optimistically towards college—is an important component of this approach because you want to signal to admissions officers that you’ve learned to manage the challenges you’ve faced in the past and are excited about the future.

I will warn you: there is a possible downside to this approach. Because it’s a clear way to communicate grade blips in your application, it is one of the most common ways to write a college essay about ADHD. Common doesn’t mean it’s bad or off-limits, but it does mean that your essay will have to work harder to stand out.

2) ADHD as a positive

Many students with ADHD tell us about the benefits of their diagnosis. If you have ADHD, you can probably relate.

Students tend to name strengths like quick, creative problem-solving, compassion and empathy, a vivid imagination, or a keen ability to observe details that others usually miss. Those are all great traits for college (and beyond).

If you identify a strength of your ADHD, your essay could focus less on the journey through the diagnosis and more on what your brain does really well. You can let an admissions officer into your world by leading them through your thought processes or through a particular instance of innovation.

Doing so will reveal to admissions officers something that makes you unique, and you’ll be able to write seamlessly about a core strength that’s important to you. Of course, taking this approach will also help your readers naturally infer why you would do great in college.

3) ADHD helps me empathize with others

Students with ADHD often report feeling more empathetic to others around them. They know what it is like to struggle and can be the first to step up to help others.

If this rings true to you, you might consider taking this approach in your personal statement.

If so, we recommend connecting it to at least one extracurricular or academic achievement to ground your writing in what admissions officers are looking for.

A con to this approach is that many people have more severe challenges than ADHD, so take care to read the room and not overstate your challenge.

Key Takeaways + An Example

If ADHD is a significant part of your story and you’re considering writing your personal statement about it, consider one of these approaches. They’ll help you frame the topic in a way admissions officers will respond to, and you’ll be able to talk about an important part of your life while emphasizing your strengths.

And if you want to read an example of a college essay about ADHD, check out one of our example personal statements, The Old iPhone .

As you go, remember that your job throughout your application is to craft a cohesive narrative —and your personal statement is the anchor of that narrative. How you approach it matters.

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162 ADHD Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for ADHD topics to write about? ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a very common condition nowadays. It is definitely worth analyzing.

🔝 Top 10 ADHD Research Topics

🏆 best adhd essay examples, 💡 most interesting adhd topics to write about, 🎓 exciting adhd essay topics, đŸ”„ hot adhd topics to write about, 👍 adhd research paper topics, ❓ research questions about adhd.

In your ADHD essay, you might want to focus on the causes or symptoms of this condition. Another idea is to concentrate on the treatments for ADHD in children and adults. Whether you are looking for an ADHD topic for an argumentative essay, a research paper, or a dissertation, our article will be helpful. We’ve collected top ADHD essay examples, research paper titles, and essay topics on ADHD.

  • ADHD and its subtypes
  • The most common symptoms of ADHD
  • The causes of ADHD: genetics, environment, or both?
  • ADHD and the changes in brain structures
  • ADHD and motivation
  • Treating ADHD: the new trends
  • Behavioral therapy as ADHD treatment
  • Natural remedies for ADHD
  • ADD vs. ADHD: is there a difference?
  • Living with ADHD: the main challenges
  • Learning Disabilities: Differentiating ADHD and EBD As for the most appropriate setting, it is possible to seat the child near the teacher. It is possible to provide instructions with the help of visual aids.
  • Everything You Need to Know About ADHD The frontal hemisphere of the brain is concerned with coordination and a delay in development in this part of the brain can lead to such kind of disorder.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD / ADHD) Some critics maintain that the condition is a work of fiction by the psychiatric and pharmacists who have taken advantage of distraught families’ attempts to comprehend the behaviour of their children to dramatise the condition.
  • Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Real? In fact, the existence of the condition, its treatment and diagnosis, have been considered controversial topics since the condition was first suggested in the medical, psychology and education.
  • “Stress” Video and “A Natural Fix for ADHD” Article There certainly are some deeper reasons for people to get stressed, and the video documentary “Stress: Portrait of a Killer” and the article “A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D”.by Dr.
  • ADHD and Its Effects on the Development of a Child In particular, this research study’s focus is the investigation of the impact of household chaos on the development and behavior of children with ADHD.
  • The History of ADHD Treatment: Drug Addiction Disorders Therefore, the gathered data would be classified by year, treatment type, and gender to better comprehend the statistical distribution of the prevalence of drug addiction.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Recommended Therapy The condition affects the motivational functioning and abnormal cognitive and behavioural components of the brain. Dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex contributed to a lack of alertness and shortened attention in the brain’s short-term memory.
  • Rhetorical Modes Anthology on Attention Deficit Disorder It clearly outlines the origin and early symptoms of the disorder and the scientist who discovered attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Summary & Validity: This article describes the causes of hyperactivity disorder and the potential factors […]
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a Young Girl The particular objective was to assist Katie in becoming more focused and capable of finishing her chores. The patient received the same amount of IR Ritalin and was required to continue taking it for an […]
  • Similarities and Differences: SPD, ADHD, and ASD The three disorders, Sensory Processing Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, are often confused with each other due to the connections and similarities that exist.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Awareness According to Sayal et al, ADHD is common in young boys as it is easier to identify the problem. The disorder is well-known, and there is no struggle to identify the problem.
  • Assessing the Personality Profile With ADHD Characteristics On the contrary, the study was able to understand significant changes in the emotional states and mood of the children when the observations and the tests ended.
  • Aspects of ADHD Patients Well-Being This goal can be achieved through the help of mental health and behavioral counselors to enhance behavioral modification and the ability to cope with challenges calmly and healthily.
  • ADHD and Problems With Sleep This is because of the activity of a person in the middle of the day and the condition around them. The downside of the study is that the study group included 52 adults with ADHD […]
  • The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment It has been estimated that when medicine and therapy are applied as treatment together, the outcomes for children with ADHD are excellent.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Organization’s Mission Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is an organization that is determined to handle individuals affected by ADHD. The organization was founded in 1987 following the rampant frustration and isolation that parents experienced due to […]
  • Case Conceptualization: Abuse-Mediated ADHD Patient The case provides insight into the underlying causes of James’s educational problems and the drug abuse of his parents. The case makes it evident that the assumption from the first case conceptualization about James’s ADHD […]
  • Change: Dealing With Patients With ADHD In the current workplace, the most appropriate change would be the increase in the awareness of nurses regarding the methods of dealing with patients with ADHD.
  • Dealing With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Although my experience is not dramatic, it clearly shows how untreated ADHD leads to isolation and almost depression. However, the question arises of what is the norm, how to define and measure it.
  • Parents’ Perception of Attending an ADHD Clinic The main principles of the clinic’s specialists should be an objective diagnosis of the neurological status of the child and the characteristics of his/her behavior, the selection of drug treatment only on the basis of […]
  • ADHD: Mental Disorder Based on Symptoms The DSM-5 raised the age limit from 6 to 12 for qualifying the disorder in children and now requires five instead of six inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
  • Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Thus, the smaller sizes of the reviewed brain structures associated with ADHD result in problems with attention, memory, and controlling movement and emotional responses.
  • Effective Therapies for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder The problem at hand is that there is a need to determine which of the therapies administered is effective in the management of ADHD.
  • Participants of “ADHD Outside the Laboratory” Study The participants in the testing group and those in the control group were matched for age within 6 months, for IQ within 15 points and finally for performance on the tasks of the study.
  • Variables in “ADHD Outside the Laboratory” Study The other variables are the videogames, matching exercise and the zoo navigation exercise used to test the performance of the boys.
  • Different Types of Diets and Children’s ADHD Treatment The last factor is a trigger that can lead to the development of a child’s genes’ reaction. Thus, diet is one of the factors that can help prevent the development of ADHD.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children The consistent utilization of effective praises and social rewards indeed results in the behavioral orientation of the child following the treatment goals.
  • Reward and Error Processing in ADHD: Looking Into the Neurophysiological and the Behavioral Measures The study was mainly concerned with looking into the neurophysiological and to some extent the behavioral measures utilized in self regulation particularly in children suffering from attention – deficit hyperactivity disorder and those who are […]
  • Vyvanse – ADD and ADHD Medicine Company Analysis It is produced by Shire and New River Pharmaceuticals in its inactive form which has to undergo digestion in the stomach and through the first-pass metabolic effect in the liver into L-lysine, an amino acid […]
  • Dealing With the Disruptive Behaviors of ADHD and Asperger Syndrome Students While teaching in a class that has students with ADHD and Asperger syndrome, the teacher should ensure that they give instructions that are simple and easy to follow.
  • Behavioral Parenting Training to Treat Children With ADHD These facts considered, it is possible to state that the seriousness of ADHD accounts for the necessity of the use of behavioral parental training as the treatment of the disorder.
  • Current Issues in Psychopharmacology: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder This is the area that is charged with the responsibility for vision control as well as a regulation of one’s brain’s ability to go to aresynchronize’ and go to rest.
  • Cognitive Psychology and Attention Deficit Disorder On top of the difficulties in regulating alertness and attention, many individuals with ADD complain of inabilities to sustain effort for duties.
  • ADHD Symptoms in Children However, there are some concerns in identifying the children with ADHD.described in a report that support should be initiated from the parents in, recognizing the problem and seeking the help of the educational professionals.2.
  • Adult and Paediatric Psychology: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder To allow children to exercise their full life potential, and not have any depression-caused impairment in the social, academic, behavioral, and emotional field, it is vital to reveal this disorder as early in life, as […]
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Biological Testing The research, leading to the discovery of the Biological testing for ADHD was conducted in Thessaloniki, Greece with 65 children volunteering for the research. There is a large difference in the eye movement of a […]
  • Issues in the Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Concept theories concerning the nature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder influence treatment, the approach to the education of children with ADHD, and the social perception of this disease.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Care Controversy The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy, in terms of symptoms and function, and safety of “once-daily dose-optimized GXR compared with placebo in the treatment of children and adolescents aged 6 17 […]
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Interventions The authors examine a wide range of past studies that reported on the effects of peer inclusion interventions and present the overall results, showing why further research on peer inclusion interventions for children with ADHD […]
  • Sociodemographic and Cultural Factors of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children at this age have particular difficulties in retaining and concentrating attention and in controlling behavior, and this stage is sensitive to the development of these abilities. The general problem is the increase in prevalence […]
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a Child A child counselor works with children to help them become mentally and emotionally stable. The case that is examined in this essay is a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Drug-Free Therapy The proposed study aims to create awareness of the importance of interventions with ADHD among parents refusing to use medication. The misperceptions about ADHD diagnosis and limited use of behavioral modification strategies may be due […]
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Psychosocial Interventions The mentioned components and specifically the effects of the condition on a child and his family would be the biggest challenge in the case of Derrick.
  • The Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD Cortese et al.state that cognitive behavioral therapy is overall a practical approach to the treatment of the condition, which would be the primary intervention in this case.
  • The Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder in Education Since ADHD is a topic of a condition that has the potential to cripple the abilities of a person, I have become attached to it much.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Comorbidities Due to the effects that ADHD has on patients’ relationships with their family members and friends, the development of comorbid health problems becomes highly possible.
  • Medicating Kids to Treat ADHD The traditional view is that the drugs for the disorder are some of the safest in the psychiatric practice, while the dangers posed by untreated ADHD include failure in studies, inability to construct social connections, […]
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Signs and Strategies Determining the presence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a child and addressing the disorder is often a rather intricate process because of the vagueness that surrounds the issue.
  • Cognitive Therapy for Attention Deficit Disorder The counselor is thus expected to assist the self-reflection and guide it in the direction that promises the most favorable outcome as well as raise the client’s awareness of the effect and, by extension, enhance […]
  • Attention Deficit Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment The patient lives with her parents and 12-year-old brother in a middle-class neighborhood. Her father has a small business, and her mother works part-time in a daycare center.
  • Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism It is possible to state that the book provides rather a high-quality review of the issues about the identification, education, and upbringing of the 2e children.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder: Case Review On the other hand, Mansour’s was observed to have difficulties in the simple tasks that he was requested to perform. Mansour’s appears to be in the 3rd phase of growth.
  • Treatment of Children With ADHD Because of the lack of sufficient evidence concerning the effects of various treatment methods for ADHD, as well as the recent Ritalin scandal, the idea of treating children with ADHD with the help of stimulant […]
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medicalization This paper discusses the phenomenon of medicalization of ADHD, along with the medicalization of other aspects perceived as deviant or atypical, it will also review the clash of scientific ideas and cultural assumptions where medicalization […]
  • Medication and Its Role in the ADHD Treatment Similar inferences can be inferred from the findings of the research conducted by Reid, Trout and Schartz that revealed that medication is the most appropriate treatment of the symptoms associated with ADHD.
  • Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder The purpose of the present research is to understand the correlation between the self-esteem of children with ADHD and the use of medication and the disorder’s characteristics.
  • Psychology: Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder It is important to pay attention to the development of proper self-esteem in children as it can negatively affect their development and performance in the future.
  • Natural Remedies for ADHD The key peculiarity of ADHD is that a patient displays several of these symptoms, and they are observed quite regularly. Thus, one can say that proper diet can be effective for the treatment of attention […]
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Children With ADHD The study revealed that the skills acquired by the children in the sessions were relevant in the long term since the children’s behaviors were modeled entirely.
  • Is Attention Deficit Disorder a Real Disorder? When Medicine Faces Controversial Issues In addition, it is necessary to mention that some of the symptoms which the children in the case study displayed could to be considered as the ones of ADHD.
  • Foods That Effect Children With ADHD/ ADD Therefore, it is the duty of parents to identify specific foods and food additives that lead to hyperactivity in their children.
  • Toby Diagnosed: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder The symptoms of the disorder are usually similar to those of other disorder and this increases the risks of misdiagnosing it or missing it all together.
  • Identifying, Assessing and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder For these criteria to be effective in diagnosing a child with ADHD, the following symptoms have to be present so that the child can be labelled as having ADHD; the child has to have had […]
  • ADHD Should Be Viewed as a Cognitive Disorder The manifestation of the disorder and the difficulties that they cause, as posited by the American Psychiatric Association, are typically more pronounced when a person is involved in some piece of work such as studying […]
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Influence on the Adolescents’ Behavior That is why the investigation was developed to prove or disprove such hypotheses as the dependence of higher rates of anxiety of adolescents with ADHD on their diagnosis, the dependence of ODD and CD in […]
  • Stroop Reaction Time on Adults With ADHD The model was used to investigate the effectiveness of processes used in testing interference control and task-set management in adults with ADHD disorder.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Causes Family studies, relationship studies of adopted children, twin studies and molecular research have all confirmed that, ADHD is a genetic disorder.
  • Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD The diagnosis of ADHD has drawn a lot of attention from scientific and academic circles as some scholars argue that there are high levels of over diagnosis of the disorder.
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder As it would be observed, some of the symptoms associated with the disorder for children would differ from those of adults suffering from the same condition in a number of ways.
  • Working Memory in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Whereas many studies have indicated the possibility of the beneficial effects of WM training on people with ADHD, critics have dismissed them on the basis of flawed research design and interpretation.
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: The Basic Information in a Nutshell In the case with adults, however, the definition of the disorder will be quite different from the one which is provided for a child ADHD.
  • How ADHD Develops Into Adult ADD The development of dominance is vital in processing sensations and information, storage and the subsequent use of the information. As they become teenagers, there is a change in the symptoms of ADHD.
  • Medical Condition of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder A combination of impulsive and inattentive types is referred to as a full blown ADHD condition. To manage this condition, an array of medical, behavioral, counseling, and lifestyle modification is the best combination.
  • Effects of Medication on Education as Related to ADHD In addition, as Rabiner argues, because of the hyperactivity and impulsivity reducing effect of ADHD drugs, most ADHD suffers are nowadays able to learn in an indistinguishable class setting, because of the reduced instances of […]
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment Generally the results indicate that children with ADHD had a difficult time in evaluating time concepts and they seemed to be impaired in orientation of time.
  • The Ritalin Fact Book: Stimulants Use in the ADHD Treatment Facts presented by each side of the critical issue The yes side of the critical issue makes it clear that the drugs being used to control ADHD are harmful as they affect the normal growth […]
  • Behavior Modification in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Introduction The objective of the article is to offer a description of the process of behavior modification for a child diagnosed with ADHD.
  • What Is ADHD and How Does It Affect Kids
  • The Benefits of Physical Activities in Combating the Symptoms of ADHD in Students
  • The Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity as Intervention for Children with ADHD
  • What Are the Effects of ADHD in the Classroom
  • Are Children Being Diagnosed with ADHD too Hastily
  • The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on ADHD
  • Understanding ADHD, Its Effects, Symptoms, and Approach to Children with ADHD
  • ADHD Stimulant Medication Abuse and Misuse Among U.S. Teens
  • Severity of ADHD and Anxiety Rise if Both Develop
  • The Best Approach to Dealing with Attention Deficit/Herpactivity Disorder or ADHD in Children
  • An Analysis of the Potential Causes and Treatment Methods for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Young Children
  • The Best Way to Deal with Your Child Who Struggles with ADHD
  • Response Inhibition in Children with ADHD
  • Behavioral and Pharmacological Treatment of Children with ADHD
  • Symptoms And Symptoms Of ADHD, Depression, And Anxiety
  • Bioethics in Intervention in the Deficit Attention Hyperkinetic Disorder (ADHD)
  • The Effects of Children’s ADHD on Parents’ Relationship Dissolution and Labor Supply
  • The Effects of Pharmacological Treatment of ADHD on Children’s Health
  • The Educational Implications Of ADHD On School Aged Children
  • Differences in Perception in Children with ADHD
  • The Effects Of ADHD On Children And Education System Child
  • Students With ADD/ADHD and Class Placement
  • The Advantage and Disadvantage of Using Psychostimulants in the Treatment of ADHD
  • How to Increase Medication Compliance in Children with ADHD
  • Effective Teaching Strategies for Students with ADHD
  • Scientists Probe ADHD Treatment for Long Term Management of the Disease
  • Should Stimulants Be Prescribed for ADHD Children
  • The Rise of ADHD and the an Analysis of the Drugs Prescribed for Treatment
  • The Correlation Between Smoking During Pregnancy And ADHD
  • Exploring Interventions Improving Workplace Behavior In Adults With ADHD
  • The Promise of Music and Art in Treating ADHD
  • The Struggle Of ADHD Medication And Over Diagnosis
  • The Problems of Detecting ADHD in Children
  • The Harmful Effects of ADHD Medication in Children
  • The Symptoms and Treatment of ADHD in Children and Teenagers
  • The Impact of Adult ADD/ADHD on Education
  • The Experience of Having the ADHD Disorder
  • The Young Children And Children With ADHD, And Thinking Skills
  • The Use of Ritalin in Treating ADD and ADHD
  • The Ethics Of Giving Children ADHD Medication
  • The Importance of Correctly Diagnosing ADHD in Children
  • The Rise in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment within the United States of America
  • The World of ADHD Children
  • The Use of Drug Therapies for Children with ADHD
  • What Are the Effects of ADHD in the Classroom?
  • Does ADHD Affect Essay Writing?
  • What Are the Three Main Symptoms of ADHD?
  • How Does ADHD Medication Affect the Brain?
  • What Can ADHD Lead To?
  • Is ADHD Legitimate Medical Diagnosis or Socially Constructed Disorder?
  • How Does Art Help Children With ADHD?
  • What Are the Four Types of ADHD?
  • Can Sports Affect Impulse Control in Children With ADHD?
  • What Age Does ADHD Peak?
  • How Can You Tell if an Adult Has ADHD?
  • Should Antihypertensive Drugs Be Used for Curing ADHD?
  • How Does ADHD Affect Cognitive Development?
  • Is Adult ADHD a Risk Factor for Dementia or Phenotypic Mimic?
  • How Are People With ADHD Seen in Society?
  • Can Additional Training Help Close the ADHD Gender Gap?
  • How Does School Systems Deal With ADHD?
  • Are Children With Low Working Memory and Children With ADHD Same or Different?
  • How Does ADHD Affect School Performance?
  • Should Children With ADHD Be Medicated?
  • How Does Society View Children With ADHD?
  • What Do Researches Tell Us About Students With ADHD in the Chilean Context?
  • Why Should Teachers Understand ADHD?
  • Does DD/ADHD Exist?
  • What Are Some Challenges of ADHD?
  • Why Is ADHD an Important Topic to Discuss?
  • Is ADHD Born or Developed?
  • Can ADHD Cause Lack of Emotion?
  • Does ADHD Affect Females?
  • Is ADHD on the Autism Spectrum?
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

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is adhd a good college essay topic

How to Tackle an Essay (an ADHD-friendly Guide)

6 steps and tips.

is adhd a good college essay topic

Most of the college students I work with have one major assignment type that gets them stuck like no other: the dreaded essay. It has become associated with late nights, requesting extensions (and extensions on extensions), feelings of failure, and lots of time lost staring at a screen. This becomes immensely more stressful when there is a thesis or capstone project that stands between you and graduation.

The good news?

An essay doesn’t have to be the brick wall of doom that it once was. Here are some strategies to break down that wall and construct an essay you feel good about submitting.

Step 1:  Remember you’re beginning an essay, not finishing one.

Without realizing it, you might be putting pressure on yourself to have polished ideas flow from your brain onto the paper. There’s a reason schools typically bring up having an outline and a rough draft! Thoughts are rarely organized immediately (even with your neurotypical peers, despite what they may say). Expecting yourself to deliver a publishing-worthy award winner on your first go isn’t realistic. It’s allowed to look messy and unorganized in the beginning! There can be unfinished thoughts, and maybe even arguments you aren’t sure if you want to include. When in doubt, write it down.

Step 2: Review the rubric

Make sure you have a clear understanding of what the assignment is asking you to include and to focus on. If you don’t have an understanding of it, it’s better to find out in advance rather than the night before the assignment is due. The rubric is your anchor and serves as a good guide to know “when you can be done.” If you hit all the marks on the rubric, you’re looking at a good grade.

I highly recommend coming back to the rubric multiple times during the creative process, as it can help you get back on track if you’ve veered off in your writing to something unrelated to the prompt. It can serve as a reminder that it’s time to move onto a different topic - if you’ve hit the full marks for one area, it’s better to go work on another section and return to polish the first section up later. Challenge the perfectionism!

Step 3: Divide and conquer

Writing an essay is not just writing an essay. It typically involves reading through materials, finding sources, creating an argument, editing your work, creating citations, etc. These are all separate tasks that ask our brain to do different things. Instead of switching back and forth (which can be exhausting) try clumping similar tasks together.

For example:

Prepping: Picking a topic, finding resources related to topic, creating an outline

Gathering: reading through materials, placing information into the outline

Assembling: expanding on ideas in the outline, creating an introduction and conclusion

Finishing: Make final edits, review for spelling errors and grammar, create a title page and reference page, if needed.

Step 4: Chunk it up

Now we’re going to divide the work EVEN MORE because it’s also not realistic to expect yourself to assemble the paper all in one sitting. (Well, maybe it is realistic if you’re approaching the deadline, but we want to avoid the feelings of panic if we can.) If you haven’t heard of chunking before, it’s breaking down projects into smaller, more approachable tasks.

This serves multiple functions, but the main two we are focusing on here is:

  • it can make it easier to start the task;
  • it helps you create a timeline for how long it will take you to finish.

If you chunk it into groups and realize you don’t have enough time if you go at that pace, you’ll know how quickly you’ll need to work to accomplish it in time.

Here are some examples of how the above categories could be chunked up for a standard essay. Make sure you customize chunking to your own preferences and assignment criteria!

Days 1 - 3 : Prep work

  • ‍ Day 1: Pick a topic & find two resources related to it
  • Day 2: Find three more resources related to the topic
  • Day 3: Create an outline

Days 4 & 5 : Gather

  • ‍ Day 4: Read through Resource 1 & 2 and put information into the outline
  • Day 5: Read through Resource 3 & 4 and put information into the outline

Days 6 - 8 : Assemble

  • ‍ Day 6: Create full sentences and expand on Idea 1 and 2
  • Day 7: Create full sentences and expand on Idea 3 and write an introduction
  • Day 8: Read through all ideas and expand further or make sentence transitions smoother if need be. Write the conclusion

Day 9: Finish

  • ‍ Day 9: Review work for errors and create a citation page

Hey, we just created an outline about how to make an outline - how meta!

Feel like even that is too overwhelming? Break it down until it feels like you can get started. Of course, you might not have that many days to complete an assignment, but you can do steps or chunks of the day instead (this morning I’ll do x, this afternoon I’ll do y) to accommodate the tighter timeline. For example:

Day 1: Pick a topic

Day 2: Find one resource related to it

Day 3: Find a second resource related to it

Step 5: Efficiently use your resources

There’s nothing worse than stockpiling 30 resources and having 100 pages of notes that can go into an essay. How can you possibly synthesize all of that information with the time given for this class essay? (You can’t.)

Rather than reading “Article A” and pulling all the information you want to use into an “Article A Information Page,” try to be intentional with the information as you go. If you find information that’s relevant to Topic 1 in your paper, put the information there on your outline with (article a) next to it. It doesn’t have to be a full citation, you can do that later, but we don’t want to forget where this information came from; otherwise, that becomes a whole mess.

By putting the information into the outline as you go, you save yourself the step of re-reading all the information you collected and trying to organize it later on.

*Note: If you don’t have topics or arguments created yet, group together similar ideas and you can later sort out which groups you want to move forward with.

Step 6: Do Some Self-Checks

It can be useful to use the Pomodoro method when writing to make sure you’re taking an adequate number of breaks. If you feel like the 25 min work / 5 min break routine breaks you out of your flow, try switching it up to 45 min work / 15 min break. During the breaks, it can be useful to go through some questions to make sure you stay productive:

  • How long have I been writing/reading this paragraph?
  • Does what I just wrote stay on topic?
  • Have I continued the "write now, edit later" mentality to avoid getting stuck while writing the first draft?
  • Am I starting to get frustrated or stuck somewhere? Would it benefit me to step away from the paper and give myself time to think rather than forcing it?
  • Do I need to pick my energy back up? Should I use this time to get a snack, get some water, stretch it out, or listen to music?

General Tips:

  • If you are having a difficult time trying to narrow down a topic, utilize office hours or reach out to your TA/professor to get clarification. Rather than pulling your hair out over what to write about, they might be able to give you some guidance that speeds up the process.
  • You can also use (and SHOULD use) office hours for check-ins related to the paper, tell your teacher in advance you’re bringing your rough draft to office hours on Thursday to encourage accountability to get each step done. Not only can you give yourself extra pressure - your teacher can make sure you’re on the right track for the assignment itself.
  • For help with citations, there are websites like Easybib.com that can help! Always double check the citation before including it in your paper to make sure the formatting and information is correct.
  • If you’re getting stuck at the “actually writing it” phase, using speech-to-text tools can help you start by transcribing your spoken words to paper.
  • Many universities have tutoring centers and/or writing centers. If you’re struggling, schedule a time to meet with a tutor. Even if writing itself isn’t tough, having a few tutoring sessions scheduled can help with accountability - knowing you need to have worked on it before the tutoring session is like having mini deadlines. Yay, accountability!

Of course, if writing just isn’t your jam, you may also struggle with motivation . Whatever the challenge is, this semester can be different. Reach out early if you need help - to your professor, a tutor, an ADHD coach , or even a friend or study group. You have a whole team in your corner. You’ve got this, champ!

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123 ADHD Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children and adults alike. It is characterized by symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Writing an essay on ADHD can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to choosing a topic. To help you out, here are 123 ADHD essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your writing:

The history and evolution of ADHD diagnosis and treatment.

The role of genetics in ADHD: nature vs. nurture debate.

The impact of ADHD on academic performance.

How ADHD affects social interactions and relationships.

The correlation between ADHD and substance abuse.

The challenges faced by adults with undiagnosed ADHD.

The effectiveness of medication in treating ADHD symptoms.

Alternative therapies for managing ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on the family dynamics.

ADHD and its association with comorbid mental health disorders.

The role of parenting styles in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of diet and nutrition on ADHD symptoms.

The influence of technology on ADHD prevalence.

The stigma and misconceptions surrounding ADHD.

The educational rights and accommodations for students with ADHD.

The long-term effects of untreated ADHD in adulthood.

How ADHD manifests differently in boys and girls.

The role of peer support in managing ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on self-esteem and self-image.

The link between sleep disorders and ADHD.

The role of physical exercise in reducing ADHD symptoms.

ADHD in the workplace: challenges and accommodations.

The benefits and drawbacks of disclosing ADHD in college applications.

The impact of ADHD on driving safety.

The relationship between ADHD and creativity.

The role of mindfulness and meditation in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on time management and organizational skills.

The importance of early intervention in managing ADHD.

The influence of environmental factors on ADHD prevalence.

The impact of ADHD on impulse control and decision-making.

The correlation between ADHD and obesity.

The role of executive functioning deficits in ADHD.

The challenges faced by college students with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on emotional regulation.

The link between ADHD and criminal behavior.

The impact of ADHD on career choices and job satisfaction.

The role of classroom accommodations in supporting students with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on learning disabilities and academic achievement.

The challenges faced by adults with ADHD in managing finances.

The correlation between ADHD and addictive behaviors.

The impact of ADHD on time perception and time management.

The role of neurofeedback therapy in treating ADHD.

The influence of sleep hygiene on ADHD symptoms.

The challenges faced by parents of children with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on risk-taking behaviors.

The correlation between ADHD and creativity in the arts.

The role of sensory processing issues in ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on college dropout rates.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in maintaining relationships.

The influence of ADHD on career success and job performance.

The impact of ADHD on emotional intelligence.

The correlation between ADHD and academic motivation.

The role of cognitive-behavioral therapy in managing ADHD symptoms.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing time-sensitive tasks.

The impact of ADHD on parenting styles and strategies.

The correlation between ADHD and sleep disorders in children.

The role of assistive technology in supporting individuals with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on impulse buying and financial management.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in maintaining healthy habits.

The influence of ADHD on social media use and internet addiction.

The correlation between ADHD and eating disorders.

The role of classroom design in supporting students with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on academic motivation and engagement.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

The correlation between ADHD and video game addiction.

The role of occupational therapy in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on self-advocacy and self-empowerment.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing transitions.

The influence of ADHD on body image and self-perception.

The correlation between ADHD and substance use disorders in adolescence.

The role of coaching and mentoring in supporting individuals with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on decision-making and risk assessment.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing stress and anxiety.

The correlation between ADHD and gambling addiction.

The role of assistive devices in supporting individuals with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on social skills development.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in maintaining healthy sleep habits.

The influence of ADHD on academic persistence and resilience.

The correlation between ADHD and self-harm behaviors.

The role of mindfulness-based interventions in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on emotional regulation in romantic relationships.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing sensory overload.

The correlation between ADHD and compulsive buying behaviors.

The role of coaching and organizational strategies in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on goal-setting and goal attainment.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing time pressure.

The influence of ADHD on body language and nonverbal communication.

The correlation between ADHD and internet gaming disorder.

The role of self-help groups in supporting individuals with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on academic self-efficacy and self-confidence.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing distractions.

The correlation between ADHD and hoarding behaviors.

The role of cognitive training programs in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on assertiveness and communication skills.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing impulsivity.

The influence of ADHD on conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

The correlation between ADHD and compulsive eating behaviors.

The role of mindfulness-based stress reduction in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on social anxiety and social phobia.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing time perception.

The correlation between ADHD and pathological gambling.

The role of vocational rehabilitation in supporting individuals with ADHD.

The impact of ADHD on emotional expression and emotional intelligence.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing hyperfocus.

The influence of ADHD on public speaking and presentation skills.

The correlation between ADHD and body dysmorphic disorder.

The role of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on assertiveness in the workplace.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing boredom.

The correlation between ADHD and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The role of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on social cognition and perspective-taking.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing multiple tasks.

The influence of ADHD on leadership skills and decision-making in teams.

The correlation between ADHD and trichotillomania.

The role of neurocognitive training in managing ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD on social skills in virtual environments.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing procrastination.

The correlation between ADHD and social anxiety disorder.

The role of mindfulness-based interventions in managing ADHD-related impulsivity.

The impact of ADHD on emotional empathy and perspective-taking.

The challenges faced by individuals with ADHD in managing interruptions.

The correlation between ADHD and kleptomania.

These essay topic ideas provide a wide range of possibilities for exploring different aspects of ADHD. Whether you are a student looking for inspiration or a researcher seeking a fresh angle, these examples can serve as a starting point for your essay. Remember to choose a topic that interests you, conduct thorough research, and present your findings in a clear and concise manner. Good luck with your ADHD essay!

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How to Apply to College When You Have ADHD

Applying to college is stressful for everyone — if your child has adhd, you’re probably concerned about finding a school that’s a great fit for his personality and academic performance. here, tips for putting his best foot forward during the application process..

Kay Goodstadt

As a teen with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you were able to take the SATs untimed and you earned a good score.

But academic challenges in high school have left you with a so-so grade point average. Now, wary of the college admissions process in general, you’re wondering whether or not to disclose the fact that you have ADHD.

Or perhaps you’re the parent of this teen. How do you begin this process? How can you help your child find the best school to fit his ADHD needs and personality?

Two words always apply to college planning: Start early. According to the HEATH Resource Center , the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team begin to consider post-secondary school goals when the student is entering high school! Even if your teen is further along in his high-school career, here are a number of cool-headed strategies you can employ when facing application time.

Create a Top List of Colleges

Talk with your teen and members of her IEP team to decide what level of services she’d feel comfortable with in college. If your teen was recently diagnosed, it will be helpful to compare semesters before and after interventions were in place — what made the biggest difference? Many colleges provide as-needed services for students with ADHD and/or learning disabilities while others offer structured programs.

Keep in mind that colleges are not obliged to alter their program requirements for students with learning disabilities once they have been admitted. Therefore, you’re advised to take a realistic view of your teen’s unique interests and abilities during the early stages of the decision process. The fact that your child may be admitted to a specific school doesn’t mean he will thrive there. Pursue colleges that will meet your child’s needs.

Develop a “hot list” of six to 12 colleges or universities that offer such programs and/or student supports. Find out the ranges of standardized test scores and GPAs for those admitted, keeping in mind that there’s probably a margin of flexibility.

After you’ve determined what your child needs in a school, refine your list by figuring out what she wants . Your teen should have a clear idea of her academic strengths and weaknesses. Students with ADHD tend to do better in subjects they enjoy, so this can be a clue as to a possible major in college. Highlight the schools on your list that offer a course of study in this field. Then consider extracurricular opportunities. Does your child play a sport or participate in drama club? Would he prefer to stay close to home or venture out to another state (or coast!)? Does in-state tuition make the most sense for your family? Contact the student activities offices to see what’s available outside the classroom, and talk to the offices of financial aid to see what type of package each school can offer.

Visit as many of the schools on your list as you can. In Learning How to Learn: Getting Into and Surviving College When You Have a Learning Disorder , Joyanne Cobb advises prospective freshmen that “College is not just a place to get an education, but a home and lifestyle for four years or more.” An afternoon or an overnight stay on a campus will give you a much better feel for the school than the colorful brochure you received in the mail.

After the data collection part of the application process, sit down with your teen and go over the “hot list,” which by now should include a range of significant factors (entrance difficulty, available majors, financial considerations, location, athletics, activities, and community resources). Evaluate the list and begin ranking the schools by desirability.

Should You Reveal Your ADHD Diagnosis on College Applications?

Before your teen begins to fill out applications, he needs to determine whether or not to disclose the fact that he has ADHD. If he’s applying to specialized schools for students with learning disabilities, or if a school requires documentation of ADHD or a learning disability before it will provide on-campus services, the answer is obvious. But if he requires only minor accommodations, he’ll want to give some thought to this decision.

By law, colleges and universities cannot deny entrance solely based on disabilities — but they are also, by law, under no obligation to alter their admissions standards. Translated, this means that students with disabilities must meet the same criteria established by admissions committees for all prospective students.

However, most colleges do take note of extenuating personal circumstances, such as ADHD. Colleges and universities often maintain some leeway with regard to the qualifications for prospective students. The staff at the HEATH Resource Center suggests that high school students with learning disabilities consider disclosure, in order to show how their academic strengths and personalities mesh with their chosen curricula. A savvy student is in a position to enhance his applications by making a statement of purpose. By putting the proper spin on his learning difficulties, a student can show how, through proper diagnosis and tenacity, he has turned setbacks into triumphs.

Keep in mind that your child’s personal statement, test scores, transcript, and recommendations are each just a part of the larger picture. A student with ADHD may have a high GPA, but low SAT scores, or vice versa, but neither situation need define him. By disclosing his disabilities and putting forth a detailed plan for managing his ADHD and/or learning disabilities at the college level, a student may tacitly amend discrepancies within his admissions packet. Unless admissions committees are aware that such schisms exist, the candidate may be summarily rejected.

Ready…Set…Apply!

A candidate must complete an application form for each school he wishes to apply to. Many institutions still use their own form, which you can request by mail, by telephone, or via the Web, but many schools now accept the Common Application . Submitted electronically or in hard copy, this is now the accepted application form for nearly 700 selective colleges and universities.

Most colleges expect their applicants to supplement their application with an official transcript of classes and grades, a personal essay, and two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other adults who can comment on the student’s scholastic ability. Additionally, colleges and universities may be especially interested in evidence of a candidate’s community service, extracurricular activities, sports participation, or other talents.

Successful Marketing

A vital part of the application process is distinguishing the applicant. Accommodative services granted by a testing agency to students with ADHD or learning disabilities are solely meant to give students equal footing in that section of the application process. From there, it’s up to the student to set himself apart, to highlight his assets and bring his top-notch qualities to the attention of the admissions team. If your teen’s SATs aren’t stellar, do all you can to help him play up his other strengths.

  • The importance of the on-campus interview cannot be overstressed. Role-play questions to get your teen’s confidence up before the appointment.
  • If your student has a mentor or a special relationship with a particular teacher, have him request a letter of recommendation from that adult. A heartfelt recommendation that comments on a student’s personality as well as his in-class performance can catch the eye of the admissions office.
  • Your child’s extracurricular participation can set him apart from the rest of the applicant pool. Remember to mention his activities that take place outside of school — Eagle-Scout status or a steady after-school job says a lot about commitment and responsibility.

Also, remember that a high level of interest in a particular institution is an attractive quality in an applicant. If possible, participate in formal activities for prospective students, such as overnight stays or campus tours. Applying for early decision or early action at her first-choice college also implies serious interest, and might give her a winning edge.

Final Thoughts

Parents, remember that your own network of contacts can be beneficial. The recommendations of relatives, friends, and alumni of your selected institutions won’t guarantee admission, but they may improve a student’s chances of acceptance. Students, remember that actions affect outcomes. Continue to play a proactive role in the high school-to-college transition — seeking out appropriate supports, assessing your growth — even after the application process is over and you’re finishing up senior year.

Most students with ADHD and/or learning disabilities have realistic concepts of their strengths and weaknesses and will be able to identify the school that seems “right.” In the end, trust your instincts about a school and about the focus of your application. Help your teen coordinate an application that zeroes in on who he is and what he has to offer, and prepare to find sweet surprises in your mailbox come spring of senior year.

Survival Guide for College Students with ADHD & LD (Magination Press), by Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D.

ADD and the College Student (Magination Press), by Patricia Quinn, M.D.

Learning How to Learn: Getting into and Surviving College When You Have a Learning Disability (Child & Family Press), by Joyanne Cobb

Testing Tips

Contact the PSAT, SAT, or ACT boards to secure a testing environment to meet your child’s needs for standardized testing. Accommodations may include:

  • Individual administration of the test
  • Computerized, audio, or large-print test editions
  • Extended testing time

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124 ADHD Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on adhd, ✍ adhd essay topics for college, 👍 good adhd research topics & essay examples, 🎓 most interesting adhd research titles, 💡 simple adhd essay ideas, ❓ adhd research questions.

  • The Influence and Effects of Colour on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children
  • Increase in ADHD Diagnoses
  • The Relation Between Attention Deficit Disorder and Colitis
  • Teaching Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • ADHD: The Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention Webpage
  • Hidden Dangers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medications
  • Theoretical Approach to ADHD: Case Study Analysis
  • Diagnosis and Treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder I have been having trouble coping with the fact that my son Ryan was recently diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
  • Impact of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on Students ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are experience challenges in managing high levels of energy, controlling impulses, and maintaining attention.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Students This paper reports the observation of a classroom with children with ADHD. It provides a brief overview of ADHD and summarizes articles regarding ADHD in children.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Nursing Intervention Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of children’s most frequent neurodevelopmental diseases.
  • Raising Awareness: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD is a widespread behavioral disorder, which can be considered a different cognitive ability with its benefits and disadvantages.
  • ADHD: Treatment and Over Medication When children have ADHD, it is possible to influence their symptoms by forging a special supportive bond between them, parents, and the education system.
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnostic Mood disorders are adjustment problems that come from stressors emanating from inside and which can be triggered by factors that cannot be controlled.
  • Is ADHD Genetically Passed Down to Family Members? Genetic correlations between such qualities as hyperactivity and inattention allowed us to define ADHD as a spectrum disorder rather than a unitary one.
  • Aspects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder The paper discusses attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a neurologic and developmental illness diagnosed in childhood.
  • Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity a Real Disorder? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most prevalent children neurodevelopmental diseases. It is identified during childhood and frequently persists into maturity.
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder The paper will try to explain why ADHD is serious, how it can damage a person’s quality of life long into adulthood, and how it can interfere with one’s communication ability.
  • Stimulant Therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Despite the potential for negative consequences, stimulant therapy is an effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder signs.
  • Pediatric Occupational Therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder This is a systematic review of quantitative research studies and occupational therapy interventions for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Behavior Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is a psychological disorder that causes a person’s brain to be abnormally hyperactive than usual behavior.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Fictional Case The current paper presents a fictional case of hyperactivity disorder that entails diagnosis, problems, and treatment recommendations.
  • Attention Deficit and Effective Treatment of Disorder Effective behavioral and pharmaceutical treatments help reduce the symptoms of ADHD. It can assist individuals in doing better at home, school, and in social situations.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD is a medical diagnosis that a neurologist or psychiatrist can make after a detailed examination of the child, questioning, and parents consultation.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment The Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder Therapy mechanisms include psychoeducation, where parents are encouraged to discuss the condition with their children.
  • Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder The discussion explains common learning disabilities and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder to kids attending the after school program.
  • Characteristics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder refers to disorders of the nervous system. Neurological disorders are based on prerequisites of a neurological nature.
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Prominent Aspects, Management, and Prevention Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a pattern of inattention or hyperactivity in a person.
  • A Counseling Theory for Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is usually spread among children and adolescents. Proper educational counseling can help students with ADHD to cope with the problem.
  • Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Though ADHD is not a very dangerous illness, it is better not underrate its effects. Many patients may feel rejected by society, and this alienation is likely to worsen the situation.
  • The Effects of Food on ADHD The issue of ADHD and its relation to food has been a concern for a while. According to the outcomes of the study, the daily intake of food must be controlled in ADHD patients.
  • Relationship Between ADHD-Inattentive and -Hyperactive The cause and effect relationship between ADHD-inattentive and ADHD-hyperactive-impulsive is conditional upon the former’s role in the latter’s emergence.
  • Evaluation Plan of Research Project on Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Formulated in this paper is a constructive and evidence-based plan that the author would use to evaluate the outcomes of his/her applied research project on ADHD.
  • Sugar: Does It Really Cause Hyperactivity? The popular myth contends that the more sugar-filled products children consume, the higher their activity drive is. But the sugar alone does not affect children’s behavior.
  • Mental Health and ADHD in Universities The issue of mental health in university learners is rarely brought up, yet it has a tangible effect on the target audience’s health and ability to learn.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis Controversy The article provides an overview of the factors that led to an increase in the number of cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • ADHD and Socially Constructed Impairment ADHD is responsible for many complications in the life of people suffering from it, including limited educational achievement, and low self-organizational capacity.
  • Sleep Disturbance and Neuropsychological Function Within ADHD Sleep disruption is an inherent behavioral feature in childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD.
  • Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Sleep Issues The document to be analyzed is “The moderating roles of bedtime activities and anxiety/depression in the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity” by Tong
  • The Phenomenon of the ADHD Disorder The paper analyzes the facts represented for whether or not attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is real.
  • Childhood Mental Disorders: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Description, causes, symptoms, discussion around possible treatment options for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Stimulants: Research Method The article that highlights the evaluation of study with regard to the Utility of illegal Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Stimulants among college students.
  • Critique of Articles on Parenting, ADHD, Child Psychology, and Development In this work, the author criticized articles on parenting, ADHD, child psychology, early adult romantic relationships and development.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Analysis ADHD, usually starts presenting it self during childhood, and is thought to be a continual chronic condition, and there is no medical cure for this disorder.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Identification The criteria for identifying students with the ADHD problem required identifying the essential patterns of attention exhibited by the patient.
  • Developmental Disorder Overview: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder One of the developmental disorders often diagnosed in the middle childhood years is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Attention Deficit Disorder and Colitis This discussion focuses on two conditions that tend to co-occur in both adolescents and children. These illnesses include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and colitis.
  • General Features and Etiology of ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that is expressed by extensive impulsivity and deficient attentiveness.
  • Child Psychiatry: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a childhood disruptive behavioral disorder that manifests in “inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity” and can persist into adulthood.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at School This work is observations of Jacob, a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which was made at Cornell Junior Public School.
  • Diagnostic Assessment of Children and Adolescents With ADHD The purpose of the study is to evaluate current clinical evidence on the value of different diagnostic tests of children and adolescents with ADHD in social and educational contexts.
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: Studies Analysis This paper analyzes five scholarly articles on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. The authors studied the effects and treatment of the disorder.
  • A Special Education Plan: Grade 1 Male Student With ADHD It is important to know the needs of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and make the necessary modifications to accommodate them in the classroom.
  • Co-Occurrence of ADHD and Bipolar Disorder The relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder has received a lot of attention.
  • ADHD and Its Effects on the Development of a Child‘s
  • How ADHD Medication Affects the Brain?
  • The Epidemiological Rates for ADHD
  • ADHD and Its Impact on Mainstream Schooling
  • Effective Teaching Strategies for Students With ADHD
  • The Debate Over Ritalin Use by Children With ADHD
  • ADHD Diagnosis, Diagnostic Tools, and Its Cultural and Ethical Implications
  • Dealing With Children Suffering From Add and ADHD
  • The Link Between ADHD and Electronic Stimulation
  • Affordable Non-Drug Solution to ADHD
  • Ten Positive Things About ADHD
  • ADHD and What Causes the Childhood Behavioral Condition
  • Treating ADHD Long Term Can Cause Harm by Creating Thoughts of Suicide
  • The Advantage and Disadvantage of Using Psychostimulants in the Treatment of ADHD
  • ADHD and Antisocial Behavior Juvenile Delinquency
  • Scientists Probe ADHD Treatment for Long-Term Management of the Disease
  • The Correlation Between Technology and Adolescent Mental Health Particularly ADHD
  • Over Diagnosis and Medication for ADHD
  • How Do School Systems Deal With ADHD?
  • Resting-State Brain Signal Variability in Prefrontal Cortex Is Associated With ADHD Symptom Severity in Children
  • Social-Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties Alongside ADHD Education
  • The Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Treatments for ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Comorbidity Between Reading Disability and ADHD
  • ADHD: Parents Should Use Alternative Treatments for Illness
  • Parental Income, Education and the Diagnosis of ADHD in Children and Adolescents: The Case for Germany
  • The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Treatments of ADHD
  • Twice-Exceptional Students With ADHD Characteristics and Strategies
  • Psychosocial Academic Interventions for Children With ADHD
  • Impact of Misdiagnosis and Overprescribing of ADHD Medications
  • The Relation Between Sleep, Memory Enhancement, Causes of Emotional Deficiency Among ADHD Patients
  • How Can You Tell if an Adult Has ADHD?
  • About the Controversies Between the Existence of ADHD, and the Different Viewpoints
  • The Effects of ADHD Pharmacological Treatment on Teens’ Risky Behaviors
  • ADHD Children and How Behavior Therapy Is Necessary With the Use of Medication
  • Effective Management Techniques for Children With ADHD
  • Side Effects ADHD Ritalin Symptoms
  • ADHD: The Serious Public Health Problem
  • Alcohol Abuse During Pregnancy and ADHD Symptoms
  • Should Children Diagnosed With ADHD Be Given Medication to Address Their Symptoms
  • The Young Children and Children With ADHD, and Thinking Skills
  • What Are the Effects of ADHD in the Classroom?
  • What Effect Does Being Identified With ADHD Have on a Child?
  • What Are the Nine Symptoms of ADHD?
  • What Are the Three Key Symptoms Used to Diagnose ADHD?
  • What Are the Seven Types of ADHD?
  • Is ADHD on the Autism Spectrum?
  • At What Age Can ADHD Be Diagnosed?
  • Can You Treat ADHD Without Medication?
  • Is ADHD a Serious Mental Illness?
  • Can You Have ADHD Without Being Hyper?
  • What Is Ring of Fire ADHD?
  • At What Age Does ADHD Peak?
  • Do ADHD Brains Look Different?
  • Is ADHD Classified as Special Needs?
  • Can People With ADHD Have Special Interests?
  • Can Additional Training Help Close the ADHD Gender Gap?
  • Can Sports Affect Impulse Control in Children With ADHD?
  • How Does ADHD Affect School Performance?
  • Should Children With ADHD Be On Ritilan or Similar Drugs?
  • Do People With ADHD Have Sensory Issues?
  • What Is the Most Common Treatment for ADHD?
  • Can ADHD Be Mistaken for Bipolar?
  • Why Is ADHD Not Considered a Disability?
  • Can ADHD Cause Panic Attacks?
  • Why Is It So Hard to Get Tested for ADHD?
  • What Foods Should Be Avoided With ADHD?
  • Can ADHD Be Cured or Grown Out Of?
  • Does Omega-3 Help ADHD?
  • What Is the Mental Age of Someone With ADHD?
  • Does ADHD Affect Intelligence?

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StudyCorgi . "124 ADHD Essay Topics." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/adhd-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "124 ADHD Essay Topics." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/adhd-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on ADHD were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 5, 2024 .

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Psychiatry & Mental Health — Adhd

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ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Essay Examples

Adhd essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: understanding adhd: causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Thesis Statement: This research essay aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), including its possible causes, common symptoms, and various treatment approaches.

  • Introduction
  • Defining ADHD: An Overview
  • Possible Causes of ADHD: Genetic, Environmental, and Neurological Factors
  • Symptoms and Diagnosis: Recognizing ADHD in Children and Adults
  • Treatment Options: Medication, Behavioral Therapy, and Lifestyle Interventions
  • The Impact of ADHD on Daily Life: School, Work, and Relationships
  • Current Research and Future Directions in ADHD Studies
  • Conclusion: Enhancing Understanding and Support for Individuals with ADHD

Essay Title 2: ADHD in Children: Educational Challenges and Supportive Strategies

Thesis Statement: This research essay focuses on the educational challenges faced by children with ADHD, explores effective strategies for supporting their learning, and highlights the importance of early intervention.

  • Educational Implications of ADHD: Academic, Social, and Emotional Impact
  • Supportive Classroom Strategies: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans
  • Teacher and Parent Collaboration: Creating a Supportive Learning Environment
  • Alternative Learning Approaches: Montessori, Waldorf, and Inclusive Education
  • ADHD Medication in the Educational Context: Benefits and Considerations
  • Early Intervention and the Role of Pediatricians and School Counselors
  • Conclusion: Nurturing Academic Success and Well-Being in Children with ADHD

Essay Title 3: ADHD in Adulthood: Challenges, Coping Strategies, and Stigma

Thesis Statement: This research essay examines the often overlooked topic of ADHD in adults, discussing the challenges faced, coping mechanisms employed, and the impact of societal stigma on individuals with adult ADHD.

  • ADHD Persisting into Adulthood: Recognizing the Symptoms
  • Challenges Faced by Adults with ADHD: Work, Relationships, and Self-Esteem
  • Coping Strategies and Treatment Options for Adult ADHD
  • The Role of Mental Health Support: Therapy, Coaching, and Self-Help
  • ADHD Stigma and Misconceptions: Impact on Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Personal Stories of Triumph: Overcoming ADHD-Related Obstacles
  • Conclusion: Raising Awareness and Providing Support for Adults with ADHD

Behavioral Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Support

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The Effect of ADHD on The Life of an Individual

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How Fidgeting Actually Contributes to a Lack of Focus in Students

Diagnosing dyscalculia and adhd diagnosis in schools, the issue of social injustice of misdiagnosed children with adhd.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by excessive amounts of inattention, carelessness, hyperactivity (which evolves into inner restlessness in adulthood), and impulsivity that are pervasive, impairing, and otherwise age-inappropriate.

The major symptoms are inattention, carelessness, hyperactivity (evolves into restlessness in adults), executive dysfunction, and impulsivity.

The management of ADHD typically involves counseling or medications, either alone or in combination. While treatment may improve long-term outcomes, it does not get rid of negative outcomes entirely. Medications used include stimulants, atomoxetine, alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, and sometimes antidepressants. In those who have trouble focusing on long-term rewards, a large amount of positive reinforcement improves task performance.ADHD stimulants also improve persistence and task performance in children with ADHD.

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is adhd a good college essay topic

How to Write Your College Essay About ADHD

Writing About ADHD in Your College Essay

Before you begin writing about ADHD in your college essay, there are a few important details to consider about this strategy. Most people have a mixed experience with ADHD. Sometimes it affects their academics negatively, and sometimes it has a positive effect. It can even affect one’s social and personal life.

This makes ADHD an interesting college essay topic because it has such a diverse potential for unique stories and experiences.

Of course, there are some dangers to this essay topic. Thus, It’s crucial you know how to write the essay without falling for common pitfalls. This guide was made based on some of the tips and tricks we teach our clients who also wrote their college essays about ADHD.

Be sure to take careful note of each section, as we’ve catered these details to help you maximize your chances of getting accepted into your schools. If you have any questions or need help with your essay, feel free to ask our expert college admissions advisors and consultants .

Table of Contents

Is it Okay to Write About ADHD in Your College Essay?

Remember to focus on yourself., don’t be afraid to get creative., how does your journey with adhd make you a qualified candidate, don’t expect admissions officers to know what adhd is like. explain in detail, example college essay about adhd., final thoughts..

is adhd a good college essay topic

Writing about ADHD in your college essay is okay.

Well, sometimes it’s actually a great essay topic. It can even be a topic that helps you stand out amongst other competing applicants. There are a lot of unique attributes to ADHD that most people don’t know about; and, it can shed a better light on how you are a stronger applicant compared to others.

Writing a college essay about ADHD can also be a bad idea. Depending on your experience with it and, more importantly, how you describe it, the topic can actually be a disadvantage.

Most people who write their college essays about ADHD fall into the latter category. They don’t know how to capitalize on their condition because they only see the negatives that come with it. They also do not know how to demonstrate their learning condition is actually an advantage or how they can use their experience to show their strengths.

In the latter sections of this guide, we’ll cover just how you can write your college essay about ADHD in a way that helps your admissions chances.

How to Write About ADHD in Your College Essay.

Archery

It’s common for people to get too focused on the actual learning condition of ADHD instead of themselves. They’ll write about ADHD but they won’t discuss how their experience was and how they felt about it. The connection you have with your relationship with ADHD and its impact on your life is more important than the actual condition itself.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should only talk about what it was like without briefly elaborating on what ADHD is. After all, ADHD can manifest in different ways for different people.

Thus, it’s crucial that you briefly cover how ADHD manifests in your life in particular. If it made it easier for you to retain a large amount of information in a short amount of time, write about that. If it put a strain on friendships and establishing proper civil dialogue, write about that. If ADHD affected your ability to focus and therefore complete assignments in a punctual manner, write about that.

Be sure to make the majority of the essay about you and your character rather than the ADHD itself. You can think of ADHD as a sort of supplementary topic that leads up to the main character theme you want to demonstrate in the application essay. It serves the main topic, which is you. But, it is not the main topic.

Many college applicants are afraid to get creative. And, roughly speaking, this is for a good reason.

Most students don’t really want to write an unconventional essay that makes them stand out because standing out can be seen in a negative light. It’s possible for your creative essay to completely flop and not work.

However, we find that a lot of students with ADHD applying to college also happen to have a lot of creative ideas generated in their heads. They have a large pool of ideas to write about and they can afford to get creative since they already have a lot of creative ideas.

Remember, just because not all creative essays work doesn’t mean you still have to stick to it. If you write a creative essay and it doesn’t look impressive or seems too large a risk, you can always scratch out your draft and start anew. That’s the thing about being creative with your college essay: you can write content and let the idea die instead of your admissions chances. You can always start over.

If you need help drafting a creative ADHD college essay, or just want help writing about ADHD in your college essay as a whole, feel free to request help from our professional college admissions advisors and consultants .

This doesn’t need to be explicitly said in your essay. But, you should imply that your experience with ADHD at least in some way makes you a qualified candidate for the school you’re applying for.

When reading over your essay, think about what your experience and journey with ADHD felt like. Consider all of the possible characteristics that can be drawn and inferred from your writing. Then, think of how said characteristics would make you a qualified candidate and a good fit for the school.

Does your journey with ADHD and your ability to adapt to your learning style make you capable of overcoming overwhelming obstacles through time despite adversity? Does changing the way you approach your ADHD show you’re someone with the open mindset needed to think outside the box in university? Does your ability to keep up with other students despite your ADHD make you someone who is formidable in mental stressors?

These are all attributes you may infer from your experience with ADHD. They also show the admissions office that you are a qualified candidate for the school who will succeed on campus, which is crucial to maximizing your success.

This is a hard one, but we think this point is absolutely crucial to your application process.

Admissions officers are not omnipotent. They don’t know everything and they can’t read your mind. Thus, you need to show your readers what ADHD must be like instead of assuming they can infer your experiences for you.

Even if you detail what happened and the things going on in your essay on the surface, articulating the feeling and emotions you feel behind events is key. This is where things can get tough, as your unique experiences may be foreign to what people without ADHD must feel.

So, what do we do about this? How can we explain foreign experiences to others who have no knowledge of ADHD?

I recommend this.

  • List out your experiences with ADHD that you want to talk about.
  • Write down in broad terms what you felt and how it emotionally affected you.
  • Abstract the emotions you felt and find parallels of this emotion to other experiences most people feel in everyday life.

Okay, so here’s an example.

  • I struggled to communicate with people on the same wavelength due to ADHD because my attention would be easily distracted by far too many external stimuli in the outside world.
  • I would feel inexorably isolated during hangouts with friends.
  • The feeling of knowing you’ll get isolated or drowned out in a crowd is similar to the feeling of dread one feels before going to a party. Maybe things are okay for the first few minutes, but the dread of feeling like the awkward wallflower starts to creep forward. This is something everyone goes through when they enter a new place. Except, for me, it happens every day.

Note also that this is not the experience every person with ADHD goes through. Everyone’s personal experiences with ADHD are different. Thus, it’s up to you to articulate what it was like for you and translate it into something understandable and digestible for admissions officers.

is adhd a good college essay topic

” “I’m going to say some words to you. Then, you’re going to tell me the first thing that comes to mind? Does that makes sense?” “Yes.” “Mountain.” “Mt. Fuji” “Water.” “Lake.” “School.” “Learning.” In the middle of it, I notice the pen on the psychologist’s chest pocket was broken. The ink was leaking through the fabric, and the blotch grew wider in circumference in an assymetrical pattern. It resembled an elephant: those creatures of supreme strength. I can’t help but think of what ancient civilizations felt upon first witnessing a war elephant at battle. Charging tusks. Rope-like noses. Weird… trumpet noises? “Thank you! You did well!” A few months pass, and I would be transferred into a gifted and talented program where I learned… nothing. I would learn however how to capitalize on my “gifts” and regurgitate what I’ve heard in class to breeze through classes. Then, actual work. Then, I have to really study. Then, I realize I never learned how to study. Then, I fail for the first time. Then, my world view about myself shatters. Am I actually talented at all? Or, was that just fantasy? Then, I’d look up. It’s popcorn ceiling. White pebbles arrayed incongruently to make unusual patterns across the ceiling to distract my mind. One of them looks like a centaur shooting an arrow into the mouth of a snake. This is what ADHD was like for me. As someone who grew up not learning how to truly study for academics, I consider my background a disadvantage despite having been put in a gifted program. However, it’s not that simple. ADHD isn’t particualrly an advantage or disadvantage in that sort of monolithic manner. Instead, it’s a smorgasbord of unusual attributes which make studying in conventional learning environments unique to say the least. Nonetheless, I didn’t learn how to overcome ADHD. Instead, I learned to understand it; then, I learned to wield it to my advantage. As someone who struggled to stay focused on one particular event at a time, distractions were nightmarish. But, I came to terms with my proclivity to get distracted. I also came to realize that my mind was most productive and “fast” in processing information during the first 10-15 minutes of work. Then, my mental “processing engine” burns out. So, over the years, I’ve crafted my own work method that follows a rotation pattern. Instead of focusing on one task indefinitely, I would make a lists of tasks I need to complete for the day. Then, I would rotate between taks in 10-15 minute intervals to maximize my productivity whilst capitalizing off of my proclivity to be distracted. Having fought ADHD for quite a while, I realized that my condition is neither a curse nor blessing. Instead, it is a double-edged sword. It can be good, and it can be bad. However, its effectiveness does not depend on the sharpness of the blade; but, it is determined by the wielder behind it. At university, I hope to wield my ADHD with proper technique and care and, hopefully, not spill my ink blots all over my shirt.” Example College Essay About ADHD

Steps Stairs

When writing about ADHD in your college essay, understand that you have an interesting topic to write about. It’s easy to dismiss your experiences as something that many other students also struggled with. However, ADHD is a strange learning condition that affects people in many different ways.

Your experiences are unique. But, it’s up to you to articulate what those experiences were like to admissions officers. Perhaps more important than that is how your experience with ADHD shows you’re a strong candidate for the school.

Writing about ADHD in your college essay is no simple feat. There are many steps that need to be taken before the essay can be submitted. In addition, the topic demands a lot of brainstorming and introspection before it is ready to be written.

Know that the path will not be easy. However, it’s also no reason to give up on ADHD as a topic. If done properly, a college essay about ADHD can be very effective and even help admissions officers see you in a better light compared to the rest of the admissions pool.

Universities, especially those which are very selective such as those in the top 25 of the US News and World Report , are vying for the best backgrounds for their students. Strong topics like your struggle and adaptation to unfair disadvantages such as ADHD will give you a much-needed boost in your application.

If you are struggling with writing about ADHD in your college essay, we would highly recommend speaking with an expert college admissions essay advisor . Here at PenningPapers, we’ve helped countless students of all backgrounds write about unique topics in their college essays. These essays have also helped them get accepted into some of the most selective universities in the world.

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Applying to College: Use the Essay

2-10-13-college-essay

To Divulge or Not to Divulge

For students with learning disabilities, there’s the added challenge of whether or not to use the essay to divulge your disability. What if the essay reader has inaccurate notions about LD? Does talking about your disability look as if you’re making excuses?

There are no right or wrong answers. If there are inconsistencies on your transcript due to your disability, the admissions committee is going to notice. Your job as an applicant is to inspire confidence by showing that you are academically prepared and, if accepted, will be an asset to the incoming class.

One way to do that is by using the essay to address how your brain works to your advantage (see below for other alternatives); for example, relate how your dyslexia causes you to “think outside the box” using specific examples.

Should you discuss how you’ve overcome your challenges? Some admissions officers say this impresses them, others say it is hackneyed. Perhaps if you have a particular theme to your compensatory strategies, such as a combination of various technologies, it would make a favorable impression.

Obviously, if you’re applying to a school that specializes exclusively in students with disabilities, divulging your challenges in your essay is safe. Still, forget self-pity, excuses, doom and gloom; keep your essay upbeat.

Essay-Writing Tips

Colleges receive thousands of essays. Your goal is to distinguish yours from the pack. Below are some helpful tips from college admissions officers:

  • Formulate your essay long before the application is due. You don’t want the pressure of having to muster extraordinary creativity during a hectic school year. Always start with an outline, then write. Put it away for a few days then read it aloud from a fresh perspective. Now, either edit or re-write it.
  • Be honest. Taking an idea off the internet and tweaking it is not original, yet colleges frequently receive plagiarized essays. Many colleges use software to detect plagiarism.
  • Be real. Show your personality and passion.
  • Be sure your essay answers the question and has a strong thesis statement.
  • Make your essay so personal that no one could have written it but you. Its purpose is to allow the admissions committee to see beyond your numbers and get a peek at the positive qualities that make you a student they’d want to accept.
  • Use an opening paragraph that is unusual, humorous, or thoughtful—but not overly dramatic. Hook the reader and make her want to read more. Rather than using the concluding paragraph as a summation, show reflective analysis that tells the reader what you’ve learned.
  • Stay laser-focused on a particular topic. Admission officers don’t want to read a laundry list of accomplishments, most of which likely appear in other sections of the application.
  • Take a risk in your subject matter, but at the same time, make sure it passes the grandmother test: If it’s something you wouldn’t want her to read, don’t send it to a college!
  • Use ordinary language. Essay readers are proficient at sniffing out candidates who use the thesaurus to impress.
  • Proofread! Remember, you can’t always rely on software for grammar and spelling checks. Ask someone you trust to review your grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and tone.

Finally, while you want to submit your finest writing, know that even students with superb essays can be rejected. Remember, admissions officers are looking at an entire package, and a well-crafted essay can only exert so much influence.

is adhd a good college essay topic

  • Use the “Additional Information” section to address your disability and its impact on your grades. Discuss how the accommodations you’ve received, as well as the extra effort you’ve put forth, have helped you compensate. This avoids the scenario of having an essay reader unschooled in the field of disabilities hurt your admission chances.
  • Disclose your disability in an interview, assuming the college provides the opportunity.
  • Ask that your learning challenges be revealed in one of your letters of recommendation. Someone with whom you’ve worked closely and who has a longstanding relationship with you is a good person to ask. He can address your work ethic and can-do attitude in spite of your challenges, thus inspiring confidence in your application.

Joan M. Azarva is a college learning specialist who focuses on the transition from high school to college for students with LD and ADHD.

Related Smart Kids Topics

  • College Application: Choosing An Essay Topic
  • Demystifying the College Application Process
  • The College Interview

The Writing Center of Princeton

  • Writing Help for ADHD Students

Updated 2024.

Typically, students with ADHD produce a wealth of ideas about an essay writing topic. Yet over 60% of students with ADHD struggle to get their ideas down on paper.

For most students with ADHD, writing assignments are torturous.

Because students with ADHD often have trouble separating dominant (main) ideas from less dominant (subordinate) ideas, even starting a writing assignment can be an arduous and anxiety filled experience.

But none of these difficulties needs to keep your ADHD child from writing successfully in school. Use the eight strategies below to help your child write more easily and successfully.

is adhd a good college essay topic

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  • laurensevier
  • Mar 9, 2023

DO PEOPLE WITH ADHD STRUGGLE TO WRITE ESSAYS?

is adhd a good college essay topic

Today's topic is one that is very near and dear to my heart. One of the biggest obstacles I've overcome in my writing journey is my struggle with ADHD. I'm so excited to start this blog series where I'll talk in depth about different aspects of ADHD and writing, how ADHD can be the ace up your sleeve or the trap door beneath your feet in any creative endeavor but especially writing.

I was first diagnosed when I was four-years-old, which as a young girl, wasn't happening very often at the time. In fact, when I was growing up the medical world was still learning a lot about ADHD. The medications at the time were high doses of stimulants, one that had to be reformulated because it was found to actually cause Tourette's syndrome in small children. One of my earliest memories of taking ADHD medication were getting a Little Debbie cake each morning before school started. At the time, I thought I was getting a cool treat, but really it was the only way my mom knew how to give me a pill since I didn't know how to swallow them yet.

Over the years, I went through more medications than I can even list. Stimulants. Non-stimulants. Fast acting. Slow release. A combination of both.

But the thing is, I wasn't sick. The world around me was.

ADHD, as we've come to understand more about the condition, isn't a problem in and of itself. The problem comes from expecting people who are neurodivergent to operate in a neurotypical world as if they don't have executive dysfunction. ADHD can be incredibly limiting if you're trying to live up to expectations that were never meant for you in the first place. On the other hand, some of the world's most creative and critical thinkers were also neurodivergent.

Because our brains are wired to see and experience the world differently, we oftentimes are insanely good problem solvers and can think outside the box better than most. Oftentimes in social situations when it seems like we're 'zoning out' it's usually because we've anticipated the punchline to the joke a couple words in, and are already thinking of new stories for the conversation. This is a beautiful thing. And it can make you an exceptional writer, if you let it.

Our brains are like supercomputers. They work hard, fast, and have multiple tabs open... all the time.

Today, we're talking about writing Essays. Not creative fiction, but structured assignments for work or school. Although I love to write, and am always bursting with creative ideas... essay writing is one of the things I struggled with the most. Why? Why is essay writing more difficult for people with ADHD?

Well, there are a few different reasons that writing essays can be problematic for people with executive dysfunction. The first thing I think about when writing an essay is decision fatigue .

Picking a topic is truly one of the worst things about essay writing. When you get your assignment to write an essay you usually get a list of topics to choose from or EVEN WORSE your boss or teacher could be cruel enough to say write about anything . Remember those multiple tabs I talked about a few lines up? Imagine infinite tabs leading to infinite black hole google searches. Yeah, that's what my brain does when I have to pick my own topic.

Cruel, unusual punishment in 12 pt. Roman font, double-spaced, in MLA format.

I've wasted so much time on assignments over the years agonizing over topic choice. So, now what do I do to combat this, you ask? I make it fun. Either I do a topic draft, or mortal combat style determine which topic could beat the others in a back alley fight (which is super fun to imagine depending on the subject btw), flip a coin, or pull a topic from a hat. Making the decision tactile, silly, or just plain interesting keeps me from overanalyzing each option, so I never freeze up. The beauty of it is, once the topic is chosen... it's done. I can get down to the real work of creating the essay.

Here comes our next obstacle: research, resources, and structure.

If structure was a person, it'd be a person attempting to murder me with a death laser in a creepy lair. My arch nemesis... who I sometimes flirt with.

Let's be honest, people with ADHD absolutely hate structure. It's almost a universal fact. Only, we don't really. In fact, structure is really good for us. What we really hate is that we're bad at implementing structure into our own lives. When it's forced on us, like regular work or school hours, we thrive. Our bodies get into a routine and then our brains know what to expect too. But implementing it ourselves can be really difficult. Why wouldn't it? We're constantly thinking about how to break the rules.

Don't lie. You're constantly thinking about how to break the rules.

When researching the topic, it's easy to start straying into other areas of research. Why? Well, because it's how we're programmed. We wander and consume knowledge, constantly trying to see a problem or topic from all angles. This isn't good for staying on task when researching something specific, but it's part of what makes us great problem-solvers and pretty great debaters too. (Or maybe I'm just argumentative?)

So how do you keep yourself on task? There's no real easy answer to this one I'm afraid. I still struggle with this and have to set timers to 'checkpoint' if I'm still on task or not when I'm working. I think being aware that this can be a problem is the first step. Then you just try to catch yourself when you're doing it and keep plugging ahead. If any of you have better tips on how to keep yourself from wandering down an alternate research-hole... I'm all ears. Comment below.

So, do people with ADHD struggle to write essays?

Short answer, I think most of us do. But, we also love a challenge and are capable of anything. Do we have to learn a few tips and tricks on how to work with our brains instead of against them? Of course. But that hasn't stopped any of us before, and it certainly won't stop any of us now. ADHD is a complicated, creative, beautiful part of who I am. One that I fought against for many years of my life, but I've learned to love the chaotic, quirky, formidable part of my brain. If you're reading this and also have ADD, ADHD, OCD, ODD, Autism, or any other neurodivergent disorder, I hope you love that part of yourself too. After all, it's what makes you... you.

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Thanks for the Memories: An Essay on Life with ADHD

thanks for the memories

  • Posted by ADDA Editorial Team
  • Categories ADHD in Real Life
  • Date November 3, 2022
  • Comments 2 comments

By Irene Grey

In a moment
it’s gone. The fully-formed sentence sprung from nowhere, a perfect start to a story that might unfold over hundreds of pages. By the time I found my pen, all that remained was a faint memory.

This is the downside of ADHD
falling in love with ideas, images, sounds, smells, and half-formed thoughts several times within one minute.

My thoughts are almost within reach, then slip somewhere I can’t access. As one thought slides away, it’s replaced by one, two or even three more, without order or sequence. The unease lingers.

As a self-employed adult woman recently diagnosed with ADHD, I consider myself moderately successful. I’ve started taking medication, which enables me to reach previously unknown levels of self-awareness.

Medication has given me a fresh perspective. There’s no prescribed way to live or think; it all depends on whom you ask.

The difficulties with ADHD come when you feel and act wildly out-of-step with the majority of society and can’t keep pace.

Originally published on July 13, 2016, this post was republished on November 03, 2022.

What’s It like to Have ADHD (for me):

is adhd a good college essay topic

I can relate to the impulsivity of the Road Runner cartoon. When the wolf runs off the cliff’s edge, his legs cycle rapidly while suspended mid-air. It’s only when he looks down and realizes the enormity of his situation that he plummets down the canyon.

I’ve always empathized with him. Propelling myself forward, and never looking back or down, probably saves me from descending permanently into my own canyon.

Having ADHD, energy, resourcefulness, and optimism fuel me, but mental chaos can overwhelm me, and I grind to a halt. Staring into space, dulled and unable to move without huge effort, the desire for order becomes as overwhelming as it is hopelessly unattainable.

It can last a few minutes, or occasionally all day. I really wouldn’t want it hanging around longer, as the more prolonged times reveal a bleaker view of life.

At least I can explain this now, after a lifetime of inarticulate thought. In the past, I’d try to rationalize what was happening, but if it didn’t make sense to me, what could I say?

I’d always assumed I was terrible at living a normal life. Teachers said, “Only boring people get bored.” They said a lot of other things which confirmed our suspicions I was rebellious, sweet, but slightly simple, and hopelessly forgetful.

I was eventually invited to leave school. The Girl Guides had extended the same invitation a couple of years prior. Friends say, “Remember when
?” I nod, but I don’t really remember.

Everything moves too fast. It’s one reason why I fidget. Trying hard to remember or prevent something which is slipping away is taxing.

I’d like to focus, hold some memories, and have the chance to reflect. These are the big things, although not without drawbacks.

Everyone has elements of their past they’d rather forget, but when you’ve never really learned from your mistakes, a glimpse in the rearview mirror at the mangled wreckage of destructive relationships, dreadful job experiences, and reckless choices can be shocking.

I’ll shift my viewpoint now to say ADHD can be fantastic. Every day offers endless possibilities. Life without self-imposed limits means freedom to go anywhere and speak to anyone.

It’s not so much fearlessness, as simply not considering possible consequences before plunging in.

I’m constantly amazed by what I find out and humbled by what people want to share. I’m trusted, probably because I’m non-threatening. Surrendering yourself, unwittingly or otherwise, to living in the moment attracts people who want to join in.

The irony is I’ve always been shy, so attracting strangers creates a tension that I struggle to overcome. It’s like having an all-access pass for life; it’s a gift you’re not sure you want.

On Relationships with Others:

Friendships are easily formed, and the tenacious ones survive. Constantly forgetting birthdays, meetings, and dinners takes its toll.

I always answer my texts, but often only in my head. It can lead people to think I don’t care about them or am shallow, selfish, and unfeeling. It’s an understandable impression, but couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I forgot” is met with instructions to get a diary (planner), set alerts on my phone, or find another way to get organised. After all, everyone forgets, so you can, too. You just have to focus, plan ahead, and generally get a grip.

How can you tell them you’ve lost your third diary (planner), and it’s only April? Your replacement phone is also gone and you thought today was Tuesday instead of Thursday.

Getting any kind of grip on the stuff sliding in and out of my head is quite tricky. So, to the people I’ve let down, I’d like to say, “It’s not you. It really is me.”

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this” has been screamed at me more times than I could obviously hope to remember. The last time was halfway up a mountainside, sheltering in a pine forest from driving rain. It probably wasn’t the moment to confess that my car keys seemed to have gone.

Everything would be ok, and if we just retraced the last 10 miles, we’d definitely find them. I did find them, inside the unlocked car, so everything worked out well.

To that particular friend, I’d like to say that you always complain about wanting more exercise and, as I pointed out at the time, human skin is waterproof, so can we please move on?

I get blamed for quite a lot. When you’re the forgetful, accident-prone one, it comes with the territory. It can’t always be your fault, and small doses of support and understanding go a long way with those of us who think and operate a bit differently in the world.

paragliding

I’m good at adventures and spontaneous decisions. I’m open to anything because I have few defenses. Although I generally believe what I’m told, which has got me into trouble.

Keeping secrets comes easily, but hiding my own is hard. I’m a magnet for children and animals and try to cherish and look after everyone around me.

Visitors are well-fed and listened to. I’m known for giving good, at times unorthodox, advice and cocooning those in need of understanding.

The problem comes when transferring this care to myself, or recognizing when I should ask for help. I’m not invincible, but the irrational, hopeful side still can’t quite shake the belief that I just might be.

Why not? I’ve been tremendously lucky so far.

On Seeking Treatment and Disclosing My Diagnosis:

I could continue living in the moment without planning ahead. Forgetting most of it, then starting over the next day.

It’s often great, but I’m tired of reacting and acting impulsively, searching for new ways to keep boredom at bay. I’m weary of losing track of time, thoughts, and people.

I want to build something solid that I can keep going back to. Seeing each day as a clean slate has got me this far, and it’s fascinating, if chaotic.

Endless curiosity feeds the cycle, but it’s all so temporary. I want to pick up where I left off.

These are the reasons why I wanted treatment. A bit of control over my rapid impulses, combined with the chance to focus and untangle the constant, shifting thoughts, has shown it to be the right decision for me.

I’ve told three of my closest friends about the diagnosis, and no one has been surprised, despite having the good grace to pretend otherwise. It seems each one suspected something wasn’t quite ‘right’ at times.

Realizing I’ve been quietly understood and cared for over the years is touching but also difficult to accept – especially as I like to believe I’m invincible.

My abrupt disappearances are par for the course, and those who know me well no longer expect an explanation. Instead, they gently inquire and don’t take it personally.

Like my diary (planner) and phone, I misplace my loved ones sometimes. They’ve all said they need me to stay the way I am, for the adventures and sheer living in the moment thing. Although I’ve always hidden the worst of it from them by retreating.

I’ve reassured them I wouldn’t take medication. It’s dishonest, but I didn’t want them to start preparing to miss the old me. What if I become unrecognizable, stunned into submission by a chemical taser?

The great news is they haven’t noticed anything different, although I have. I’m more focused, and my energy levels are now steady.

I no longer feel the sudden need to run down the street — something that can be alarming to other pedestrians, especially when you’re a grown woman in high heels. (It looks like you’re being chased.)

The sudden development of a verbal filter is a welcome relief after years of unintentionally insulting people who ask for an opinion. It turns out diplomacy doesn’t mean lying.

It’s more choosing words carefully that don’t eviscerate friends, family, or complete strangers. “But you asked me” isn’t a reasonable defense after all, especially for the many times they didn’t ask.

sleeping in the subway

Sleeping well in bed is a new treat. Funnily enough, for me, slipping into unconsciousness in cinemas, theatres, and on all forms of public transport was never a problem.

Most welcome of all the improvements is my memory. I’m forgetting less and thinking more clearly.

I’ll always be a more flawed, impulsive wolf than a perfect, predictable roadrunner, but that’s okay now.

Recently I was gripped by a sudden fear that controlling my symptoms would mean the saturated technicolour that life can be would drain into a perfectly pleasant, slightly dull, black and white. Like a rainy-day film without much pace or plot.

Fortunately, finding a balance between the extremes of falling in love with everything, or disconnecting completely, leaves scope.

Depending on when in the day you ask, I might say that ADHD has been a constant, invasive shadow, falling across every aspect of my life.

Ask me again, and I might say it’s been a brilliantly illuminating shaft of sunlight, throwing everything it hits into stark relief. It can be blinding, but more often reveals the perfect, glorious detail that might have been missed.

Life is enhanced, elevated, and made rather lovely. It depends on your perspective. Who wouldn’t want a little bit of that?

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Wishing I could share this family members! Hearing with sensitive ears of even the unspoken word, sends me in self defeating thoughts. Some of my high achieving family can’t understand all that I go though to be heard or being ignored feels. This is my battle at this time. My understanding is that many of us suffering with ADHD also have Dislexia which I experience as well of being Ambedextrious, with Major Depression. Thank you for this article, it that the wrong out of my life, even if a few understand!

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ADHD Essay Topics

is adhd a good college essay topic

10 ADHD Research Topics

  • ADHD and Its Subtypes
  • The Most Common ADHD Symptoms
  • Is ADHD Caused by Genetics, Environment, or Both?
  • ADHD and Structural Changes in the Brain
  • Motivation and ADHD
  • The New Trends in ADHD Treatment
  • Treatment for ADHD Using Behavioral Therapy
  • Natural Solutions for ADHD
  • ADD versus ADHD
  • The Main Difficulties of Living With ADHD
  • What Is ADHD and How Can It Influence Children
  • The Advantages of Physical Activities in Battling the Symptoms of ADHD in Students
  • Exercise and Physical Activity as an ADHD Intervention for Children
  • What Are the Impacts of ADHD in the Classroom
  • Is ADHD Being Diagnosed Too Quickly in Children?
  • The Efficiency of CBT for ADHD
  • Understanding ADHD, Its Effects, Symptoms, and Treatment Methods for Children With ADHD
  • ADHD Stimulant Medication Abuse and Misuse Among Teens in the U.S.
  • ADHD and Anxiety: Increase in Severity if Both Develop
  • The Best Way to Deal With ADHD in Kids
  • An Examination of the Possible Causes and Treatment Strategies for ADHD in Children
  • The Most Effective Way to Manage Your Kid Who Battles with ADHD

 Hot ADHD Topics to Write About

  • ADHD in Children: Response Inhibition
  • Behavioral and Pharmacological Treatment of Kids with ADHD
  • Symptoms of ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety
  • Bioethics in ADHD Intervention
  • How Children’s ADHD Affects Parents’ Relationship Dissolution and Labor Supply
  • The Impacts of Pharmacological Treatment of ADHD on Kids’ Wellbeing
  • ADHD’s Educational Impact on School-Aged Children
  • Differences in Discernment in Youngsters with ADHD
  • The Impacts of ADHD on Kids and Education System
  • Students With ADD/ADHD and Class Arrangement
  • Pros and Cons of Using Psychostimulants to Treat ADHD

 ADHD Research Paper Topics

  • How to Improve Medication Compliance in Children with ADHD
  • Effective Teaching Methods for Students with ADHD
  • Scientists Examine ADHD Treatment for Long Term Management of the Disease
  • Children with ADHD: Should Stimulants Be Prescribed?
  • The Ascent of ADHD and the Investigation of the Medications Recommended for Treatment
  • The Connection Between Smoking During Pregnancy and ADHD
  • Investigating Interventions for Improving Workplace Behavior in Adults with ADHD
  • The Potential of Art and Music in the Treatment of ADHD
  • The Battle Between ADHD Medication and Overdiagnosis
  • The Challenges of Diagnosing ADHD in Children
  • The Destructive Impacts of ADHD Medicine on Children
  • ADHD in Children and Teenagers: Symptoms and Treatment
  • ADD/ADHD in Adults and Its Effect on Education
  • The Experience of Having ADHD
  • Children With ADHD and Thinking Skills
  • The Utilization of Ritalin in Treating ADD and ADHD
  • The Morals Of Giving Kids ADHD Medicine
  • The Significance of Accurately Diagnosing ADHD in Kids
  • The Increase in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment in the United States
  • The World of Children with ADHD
  • The Utilization of Drug Therapies for ADHD Children

 Research Questions About ADHD

  • What Are the Impacts of ADHD in the Classroom?
  • Does ADHD Have an Impact on Essay Writing?
  • What Are the Three Primary ADHD Symptoms?
  • What Effects Does ADHD Medication Have on the Brain?
  • What Can ADHD Cause?
  • Is ADHD a Real Medical Condition or a Socially Constructed Disorder?
  • How Can Art Benefit Kids With ADHD?
  • What Are the Four Sorts of ADHD?
  • Can Sports Impact Impulse Control in ADHD Children?
  • What Age Does ADHD Reach Its Peak?
  • What Are the Symptoms of Adult ADHD?
  • Should Antihypertensive Medications Be Utilized for Treating ADHD?
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  • Is Adult ADHD a Dementia Risk Factor or Phenotypic Mimic?
  • What Is Society’s View of People with ADHD?
  • Can More Training Reduce the Gender Gap in ADHD?
  • How Does Educational Systems Manage ADHD?
  • Are Children With Low Working Memory the Same as Children with ADHD?
  • How Does ADHD Influence Academic Performance?
  • Should Kids With ADHD Be Medicated?
  • How Does Society View Kids With ADHD?
  • What Can We Learn From Research About ADHD Students in Chile?
  • Why Is It Important for Teachers to Understand ADHD?
  • Does DD/ADHD Exist?
  • What Are A Few Difficulties of ADHD?
  • Why Should We Talk About ADHD?
  • Is ADHD Hereditary or Acquired?
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is adhd a good college essay topic

ADHD is my superpower: A personal essay

Two kids with adult in front of mountain

A Story About a Kid

In 1989, I was 7 years old and just starting first grade. Early in the school year, my teacher arranged a meeting with my parents and stated that she thought that I might be “slow” because I wasn’t performing in class to the same level as the other kids. She even volunteered to my parents that perhaps a “special” class would be better for me at a different school.

Thankfully, my parents rejected the idea that I was “slow” out of hand, as they knew me at home as a bright, talkative, friendly, and curious kid — taking apart our VHS machines and putting them back together, filming and writing short films that I’d shoot with neighborhood kids, messing around with our new Apple IIgs computer!

The school, however, wanted me to see a psychiatrist and have IQ tests done to figure out what was going on. To this day, I remember going to the office and meeting with the team — and I even remember having a blast doing the IQ tests. I remember I solved the block test so fast that the clinician was caught off guard and I had to tell them that I was done — but I also remember them trying to have me repeat numbers back backwards and I could barely do it!

Being Labeled

The prognosis was that I was high intelligence and had attention-deficit disorder (ADD). They removed the hyperactive part because I wasn’t having the type of behavioral problems like running around the classroom (I’ll cover later why I now proudly identify as hyperactive). A week later, my pediatrician started me on Ritalin and I was told several things that really honestly messed me up.

I was told that I had a “learning disability” — which, to 7-year-old me, didn’t make any sense since I LOVED learning! I was told that I would take my tests in a special room so that I’d have fewer distractions. So, the other kids would watch me walk out of the classroom and ask why I left the room when tests were happening — and they, too, were informed that I had a learning disability.

As you can imagine, kids aren’t really lining up to be friends with the “disabled” kid, nor did they hold back on playground taunts around the issue.

These were very early days, long before attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was well known, and long before people had really figured out how to talk to kids with neurodiversities . And as a society, we didn’t really have a concept that someone who has a non-typical brain can be highly functional — it was a time when we didn’t know that the world’s richest man was on the autism spectrum !

Growing Past a Label

I chugged my way through elementary school, then high school, then college — getting consistent B’s and C’s. What strikes me, looking back nearly 30 years later, is just how markedly inconsistent my performance was! In highly interactive environments, or, ironically, the classes that were the most demanding, I did very well! In the classes that moved the slowest or required the most amount of repetition, I floundered.

Like, I got a good grade in the AP Biology course with a TON of memorization, but it was so demanding and the topics were so varied and fast-paced that it kept me engaged! On the opposite spectrum, being in basic algebra the teacher would explain the same simple concept over and over, with rote problem practice was torturously hard to stay focused because the work was so simple.

And that’s where we get to the part explaining why I think of my ADHD as a superpower, and why if you have it, or your kids have it, or your spouse has it
 the key to dealing with it is understanding how to harness the way our brains work.

Learning to Thrive with ADHD

Disclaimer : What follows is NOT medical advice, nor is it necessarily 100% accurate. This is my personal experience and how I’ve come to understand my brain via working with my therapist and talking with other people with ADHD.

A Warp Speed Brain

To have ADHD means that your brain is an engine that’s constantly running at high speed. It basically never stops wanting to process information at a high rate. The “attention” part is just an observable set of behaviors when an ADHD person is understimulated. This is also part of why I now openly associate as hyperactive — my brain is hyperactive! It’s constantly on warp speed and won’t go any other speed.

For instance, one of the hardest things for me to do is fill out a paper check. It’s simple, it’s obvious, there is nothing to solve, it just needs to be filled out. By the time I have started writing the first stroke of the first character, my mind is thinking about things that I need to think about. I’m considering what to have for dinner, then I’m thinking about a movie I want to see, then I come up with an email to send — all in a second. 

I have to haullll myself out of my alternate universe and back to the task at hand and, like a person hanging on the leash of a horse that’s bolting, I’m struggling to just write out the name of the person who I’m writing the check to! This is why ADHD people tend to have terrible handwriting, we’re not able to just only think about moving the pen, we’re in 1,000 different universes.

On the other hand, this entire blog post was written in less than an hour and all in one sitting. I’m having to think through a thousand aspects all at once. My dialog: “Is this too personal? Maybe you should put a warning about this being a personal discussion? Maybe I shouldn’t share this? Oh, the next section should be about working. Should I keep writing more of these?”

And because there is so much to think through and consider for a public leader like myself to write such a personal post, it’s highly engaging! My engine can run at full speed. I haven’t stood up for the entire hour, and I haven’t engaged in other nervous habits I have like picking things up — I haven’t done any of it! 

This is what’s called hyperfocus, and it’s the part of ADHD that can make us potentially far more productive than our peers. I’ve almost arranged my whole life around making sure that I can get myself into hyperfocus as reliably as possible.

Harnessing What My Brain Is Built For

Slow-moving meetings are very difficult for me, but chatting in 20 different chat rooms at the same time on 20 different subjects is very easy for me — so you’ll much more likely see me in chat rooms than scheduling additional meetings. Knowing what my brain is built for helps me organize my schedule, work, and commitments that I sign up for to make sure that I can be as productive as possible.

If you haven’t seen the movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” and you are ADHD or love someone who is, you should immediately go watch it! The first time I saw it, I loved it, but I had no idea that one of its writers was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult , and decided to write a sci-fi movie about an ADHD person! The moment I read that it was about having ADHD my heart exploded. It resonated so much with me and it all made sense.

Practically, the only real action in the movie is a woman who needs to file her taxes. Now, don’t get me wrong — it’s a universe-tripping adventure that is incredibly exciting, but if you even take a step back and look at it, really, she was just trying to do her taxes.

But, she has a superpower of being able to travel into universes and be
 everywhere all at once. Which is exactly how it feels to be in my mind — my brain is zooming around the universe and it’s visiting different thoughts and ideas and emotions. And if you can learn how to wield that as a power, albeit one that requires careful handling, you can do things that most people would never be able to do!

Co-workers have often positively noted that I see solutions that others miss and I’m able to find a course of action that takes account of multiple possibilities when the future is uncertain (I call it being quantum brained). Those two attributes have led me to create groundbreaking new technologies and build large teams with great open cultures and help solve problems and think strategically. 

It took me until I was 39 to realize that ADHD isn’t something that I had to overcome to have the career I’ve had — it’s been my superpower .

Published Jul 15, 2022

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What Happens When ADHD Goes to College?

Here's how to plan for success..

Posted June 24, 2022 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

  • What Is ADHD?
  • Find a therapist to help with ADHD
  • A UK group published a consensus statement with recommendations for supporting college students with ADHD.
  • The key points encourage adequate screening, assessment, and treatment and education of on-campus staff and educators about the nature of ADHD.
  • Existing medical and psychosocial treatments are increasingly targeting the unique stressors facing college students with ADHD.
  • Adult ADHD-focused therapies focused on the immediate goals of navigating college will generalize to later adult roles.

A group of colleagues in the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) recently published a consensus statement about supporting college students with ADHD. 1 The author list for the consensus statement is comprised mostly, if not completely, of researchers who also provide clinical services, and thus they know what university students with ADHD (and other young adults with ADHD) are up against as they assume adult roles.

Recalling the early days of the University of Pennsylvania Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program, I’d estimate that college students comprised two-thirds of our initial cohort of clients. These were students who were only identified with ADHD after facing significant difficulties in college far and above any typical adjustment issues. They often reported simmering difficulties in earlier levels of school that were masked by intelligence (combined with less demanding work), support of family who ensured homework completion, more structure at home and school, or simply doing enough in high school to get by. Once they got to college, however, many of these students faced newfound levels of stress and difficulty that shed light on these heretofore veiled difficulties that could now be understood as undiagnosed ADHD. (There were some other students with ADHD who had been diagnosed before college but sought services as part of their continuity of care in college.)

Source: Pixabay/Pexels

General Recommendations from the College Students with ADHD Consensus Statement

The main takeaways from the UKAAN review and recommendations are:

  • ADHD should be a separate category for disability determination, not as a learning or other difference.
  • Screenings for ADHD should be performed for students presenting for disability services with specific learning differences or autistic spectrum issues or who seek help for depression and/or anxiety with learning problems.
  • Staff training about the nature of ADHD and its assessment, treatment, and effects on learning is needed to heighten awareness and reduce stigma .
  • Rapid access to services is a serious issue in terms of long waits for ADHD-related services via the NHS that needs to be addressed.
  • Higher- education specialists also need training on the screen and diagnostic assessment of ADHD in college-aged adults in order to facilitate identification and referral for specialized treatments.
  • The use of evidence-supported, multimodal treatment options, including psychoeducation, environmental adjustments/academic accommodations, medication treatments, academic coaching , psychosocial treatments and counseling (cognitive-behavior/dialectical-behavior therapies), and mindful interventions are helpful for young adults.

Facing College With ADHD: It Is More Than Just the Classroom

Our program’s early experiences with college students with ADHD also shed light on the college transition being as much if not more of a test of students’ time management and organizational skills as it was about knowledge and intellect. Unfortunately, difficulties with the former often undermine abilities in the latter. What’s more, most college students move away from home to attend college and must take on many more roles and responsibilities for managing their affairs and dealing with various distractions, temptations, and the stress of emerging adulthood at the same time they face a new level of education.

Help for College Students With ADHD

Encouragingly, there has been increased awareness of the effects of ADHD in college students, as well as other learning and mental health issues. Ever more treatments for ADHD are being adapted to the unique needs of college students with ADHD. As always with ADHD, medications can be highly effective. To date, I don’t think there is a medication that will make you want to read Beowulf , though. Psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), are helpful for the implementation of coping strategies as well as dealing with stress and other emotional aspects of adjusting to and handling college. ADHD coaching is another option well-suited to supporting college students.

On-campus learning centers often offer support in the form of organization and time management strategies and other, more specific learning strategies in both group and individual settings. Targeted tutoring for particular subjects can also be helpful. Specific psychoeducation evaluations are required to petition campus disability services offices for formal academic accommodations based on documented learning disabilities, as the diagnosis of ADHD alone is not deemed sufficient justification, at least for schools that strictly follow Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for postsecondary education. Nonetheless, there are informal coping steps that students can take, such as sitting near the front in large lectures, making use of instructor and teaching assistant office hours, and resources and regular meetings at the campus learning center.

In addition to an evidence-based CBT program for college students 2 , rumor has it that several other respected clinician-researchers in the ADHD community are developing materials designed to support college students with ADHD. A benefit of addressing ADHD in college is that every day provides an opportunity to implement and practice the coping strategies with academics, but that generalizes to other areas of life. As I had said about our program’s clinical experience with college students with ADHD, we provided early intervention for adult ADHD.

1 Sedgwick-MĂŒller et al. (2022). University students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a consensus statement from the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN). BMC Psychiatry, 22 , 292. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03898-z

2 Anastopoulos et al. (2020). CBT for college students with ADHD: A clinical guide to ACCESS . Springer.

Russell Ramsay, Ph.D., ABPP

J. Russell Ramsay, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with an independent virtual practice. He is retired as a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

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should i write my college essay about going through high school with undiagnosed ADHD?

I have inattentive ADHD, but I wasn’t diagnosed until late into high school. I have struggled a lot with everything because of it, and it made everything a lot harder. I thought maybe I could write my college essay about living with it without the proper treatment, and overcoming the challenges that it threw it me (like doing well on tests when I should have gotten extra time, or changing my mentality about thinking that I’m just stupid) I managed to bring up my grades a little as a sophomore, and it took a TON of work and difficulty on my part. I was thinking i could write about how I was just classified as “lazy” or “stupid” and even when I tried my best I felt like I wasn’t good enough, etc. is that a good idea?

Any other ideas? This topic is soooo over used and doesn’t paint a great story of how you would benefit a school. The point of this essay is to make yourself more appealing to colleges.

I think it could be really good if you focus on the challenges and how you work to overcome them. Also–if it made you more empathic to others who have challenges and what you’ve done specifically about that. Could be a winner, you know?

Agreed. This seems like something for a counselor to talk about and to mention briefly in the additional information section. Tell a story that will show the reader your strengths, not your previous struggles.

My GPA in high school was awful combined with my SAT scores which were also terrible so I didn’t get into any colleges I applied to except Palm Beach Atlantic University. Granted, I didn’t stay there, BUT, they accepted me based on my essay which was about having ADHD. You should check if the universities you are applying to have a program for helping struggling students because PBA had a program that accepted students with bad grades who had disabilities, but you had to take academic counseling which consisted of a meeting each week to discuss how you were doing, tutoring, etc. It was kind of like a contract. I had to attend these meetings to stay in the school, but because of that I was able to get into a school with that type of program. BUT, if the school doesn’t have that type of program, I would suggest writing out the essay, having someone else take a look at it, and then deciding whether to go forward with it. The essay will either sound inspirational or generic as you are not one of the first people to write one of these. Write the essay, have a couple of friends look over it and give their thoughts. It has to be unique and make sure it doesn’t sound like you’re complaining or bashing the education system.

I disagree with people saying you should focus on the future and ignore your past struggles because an essay is supposed to represent how you got to where you are and who you are, and for you, ADHD has been a big part of how your education experience has gone, so I don’t think you should ignore it. It is part of your life. You can’t just pretend it never happened or had no play in your grades. I would def talk about it if you can make it unique. Remember, colleges read thousands and thousands of these essays. They want to see something that will really make them feel something.

It’s the unique part that’s hard.I once had an adcoms person say that he had read genuinely dozens of essays in which the student had objectively, verifiably saved somebody else’s life in an emergency. He said that he completely understood why that would be transformative to the person involved, but that at this point he had read so many of those stories that it was hard for him to engage with it the way he felt he should. Same applied to family breakdown, various learning challenges, health issues, etc.

Remember that your GC can write about the fact of it (student diagnosed w/ LD in grade 10 and made the most of resulting supports resulting in strong improvements type thing). If you are going to write about the realization that you are not ‘lazy’ or ‘stupid’ but were swimming upstream with weights, think about the ‘then what’ : what did you do with that realization? beyond getting better marks, how has that realization changed who you are / where you are going / how you see the world (more than just being happy to know you aren’t stupid).

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ADHD College Essays Samples For Students

257 samples of this type

Regardless of how high you rate your writing abilities, it's always a good idea to check out an expertly written College Essay example, especially when you're dealing with a sophisticated ADHD topic. This is exactly the case when WowEssays.com directory of sample College Essays on ADHD will prove handy. Whether you need to come up with a fresh and meaningful ADHD College Essay topic or examine the paper's structure or formatting peculiarities, our samples will provide you with the necessary data.

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1. I have one project for myself this summer: to chart my family tree. 2. We decided to see an old movie. 3.Teresa stood up slowly: "I think I'll go home." 4. I bought my father several gifts: a shirt, tie, and a pair of shoes. 5. It is time to do the research off to City Hall! 6. There is a simple explanation for my sister's attitude: she is too young to understand.

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<Student’s name><University> - Problem #56 Bear population. To estimate the size of the bear population on the Keweenaw Peninsula, conservationists captured, tagged, and released 50 bears. One year later, a random sample of 100 bears included only 2 tagged bears. What is the conservationist's estimate of the size of the bear population?

Assume that x is a number in the population. We know, that 100 bears included 2 tagged bears. Then, we can construct the proportion: Released populationsample caught=Real populationsample caught

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Introduction On behalf of the EZ Cooking Company, I would like to propose the revision of the instructions for making a French toast in order to improve the usability of the instructions. This memo provides an analysis of the current instruction’s strengths and weaknesses for your review.

Standard Operating Procedure For Fasterbettermedia LB Essay Example

Principle Gel Electrophoresis is a method used in the laboratory for the separation of charged molecules like nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins that differ in size or charge (Agarose gel electrophoresis (basic method)). LB (Lithium Borate) buffer is the widely used buffer in agarose gel electrophoresis. The buffer solution comprises of Lithium hydroxide monohydrate and boric acid. LB buffer has low conductivity which can run at a high speed (5-50V/cm) than the gels which are made of TBE or TAE buffers (5-10 V/cm) which in turn reduces the run time drastically (Brody 6).

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Interview One: Regular Classroom Teacher What aspects of your subject cause SEN students to struggle? As an English teacher, my subject is frequently a direct problem for students because many learning difficulties involve poor literacy, an inability to express oneself, and difficulty in reading for meaning – relating to characters, authors and so on.

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West of it all – caitlin.

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1. Add: (4cᶣ - 3cᶟ + 5cÂČ + 15c-7) + (c⁔ + 10cᶟ +4cÂČ -5c + 2) + (-7cᶣ +cÂČ -5c - 5)

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Communication is one of the most important features for the growth and development of a child. Their are many barriers that can be responsible for lack of communication in children. ADHD is one of the leading barriers to communication since the children with this disorder are often misunderstood (Faraone 23).

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The appointment of Felipe Montez as the purchasing director added value to the performance of the Spanish electronic company. The employee came up with a strategy, aimed at reducing costs of operations, which I think eliminated “middlemen” in the chain of distribution. He visited various firm in china, where their company outsourced some of their raw materials. Most of the firms built their synergy by utilizing the younger generation, which the management recommended being more productive than machines and easy to “run” and “maintain.” I considered unfair because the management could have considered the working environment and the remunerations.

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a College Essay About ADHD

    Key Takeaway. When writing a college essay about ADHD, consider three approaches: using ADHD to understand trends and show growth, highlighting the positive aspects of ADHD, or emphasizing how ADHD enhances your empathy. Choose an approach that lets you discuss an important part of your life while showcasing your strengths and creating a ...

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    Step 2: Review the rubric. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what the assignment is asking you to include and to focus on. If you don't have an understanding of it, it's better to find out in advance rather than the night before the assignment is due. The rubric is your anchor and serves as a good guide to know "when you can be ...

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    Essays. One of the common themes in essay prompts is to talk about some sort of problem/challenge/obstacle you are dealing with/overcome, and for me the big one that sticks out is dealing with adhd. One of my worries though is that writing about adhd, the colleges will know I have adhd and that may affect the decision.

  6. 123 ADHD Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Writing an essay on ADHD can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to choosing a topic. To help you out, here are 123 ADHD essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your writing: The history and evolution of ADHD diagnosis and treatment. The role of genetics in ADHD: nature vs. nurture debate.

  7. My Battle with ADHD: Personal Essay

    Breaking Barriers: My Battle with ADHD. In a prize-winning essay about overcoming obstacles, a child with attention deficit disorder explains the effects of ADHD on his life. From enlisting the help of family members to keeping a journal, this is how Jack Prey manages his diagnosis. By Jack Prey Verified Updated on May 15, 2020.

  8. College Application & ADHD: SAT and Essay Help

    Testing Tips. Contact the PSAT, SAT, or ACT boards to secure a testing environment to meet your child's needs for standardized testing. Accommodations may include: Tips for students with ADHD to put their best foot forward during the college application process, from SATs to on-campus interviews to personal essays.

  9. 124 ADHD Essay Topics & Research Titles at StudyCorgi

    Looking for the best ADHD topic for your essay or research? 💡 StudyCorgi has plenty of fresh and unique titles available for free. 👍 Check out this page! ...  ADHD Essay Topics for College. ... 👍 Good ADHD Research Topics & Essay Examples. On-time delivery!

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    ADHD Essay Topics and Outline Examples Essay Title 1: Understanding ADHD: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment ... Good . 3 pages / 1285 words . ADHD is a very complex disorder. The best way to describe it is by thinking of it in this example. Say you're driving on a racetrack in a bright yellow sports car. It's flying around the corners ...

  11. How to Write Your College Essay About ADHD

    This makes ADHD an interesting college essay topic because it has such a diverse potential for unique stories and experiences. Of course, there are some dangers to this essay topic. ... And, roughly speaking, this is for a good reason. Most students don't really want to write an unconventional essay that makes them stand out because standing ...

  12. Applying to College: Use the Essay

    Below are some helpful tips from college admissions officers: Formulate your essay long before the application is due. You don't want the pressure of having to muster extraordinary creativity during a hectic school year. Always start with an outline, then write. Put it away for a few days then read it aloud from a fresh perspective.

  13. Writing Help for ADHD Students

    ADHD students have difficulty narrowing down choices and making decisions. Help your child determine the focus of her response by asking her to dictate to you all the ideas she has that are related to the essay topic. Words or short phrases will do. She doesn't have to dictate whole sentences. While she speaks, record each of her ideas on a ...

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  21. What Happens When ADHD Goes to College?

    A group of colleagues in the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) recently published a consensus statement about supporting college students with ADHD. 1 The author list for the consensus statement is ...

  22. should i write my college essay about going through high school with

    I have inattentive ADHD, but I wasn't diagnosed until late into high school. I have struggled a lot with everything because of it, and it made everything a lot harder. I thought maybe I could write my college essay about living with it without the proper treatment, and overcoming the challenges that it threw it me (like doing well on tests when I should have gotten extra time, or changing my ...

  23. ADHD College Essay Examples That Really Inspire

    ADHD College Essays Samples For Students. 257 samples of this type. Regardless of how high you rate your writing abilities, it's always a good idea to check out an expertly written College Essay example, especially when you're dealing with a sophisticated ADHD topic. This is exactly the case when WowEssays.com directory of sample College Essays ...