Dear Nicole,
I recently stumbled upon your video titled “The Truth About ADHD,” and I must say, it left me feeling beyond frustrated. While I typically keep my cool, your comments were so misguided that it nearly pushed me over the edge. Not only was your delivery obnoxious, but your understanding of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) seemed alarmingly shallow. This is a legitimate mental health condition that affects over a billion people globally, as indicated by CHADD. ADHD is serious, and your portrayal of it sparked outrage, especially among parents navigating this reality with their children.
Allow me to introduce myself: I am a devoted mother of a brilliant 7-year-old girl diagnosed with ADHD, and I’m married to a wonderful man who also lives with this condition. ADHD is not a new phenomenon; it has existed for ages, but thanks to advancements in research, we now have a clearer understanding and proper nomenclature for it. The condition manifests in diverse ways, influencing daily life positively and negatively. As stated by the Child Mind Institute, ADHD is classified as a psychiatric disorder, which means it significantly impacts mental functioning and can lead to various impairments.
You assert that children diagnosed with ADHD are merely hyperactive and that this is just typical childhood behavior. However, your lack of personal experience with ADHD—considering you have no children of your own—leaves you ill-equipped to comment on this complex issue. ADHD is not one-size-fits-all; it is categorized into three types: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Not every child with ADHD is hyperactive, and like autism, it affects individuals differently. A diagnosis can also come with coexisting conditions such as anxiety, depression, and more. Trust me, I know these struggles firsthand, and this is not something to be dismissed lightly.
When my daughter, at just six years old, expressed a desire to end her life, my heart shattered. Can you even fathom that? I doubt it, given your flippant remarks in your video. ADHD, depression, and related conditions deserve serious attention and compassion, not mockery. And don’t get me started on your insinuation that poor parenting is to blame. I may not be perfect, but I strive every day to be a great mom. ADHD is known to have a genetic component; it doesn’t just vanish based on parenting skills.
You claim parents are “drugging their kids for acting like kids,” but that’s an outrageous oversimplification. Choosing to medicate a child for ADHD is a deeply personal and often heart-wrenching decision. Many parents, including myself, explore various alternatives like behavioral therapy and dietary adjustments before considering medication. Unfortunately, these options do not work for all children. My husband and I had hoped our daughter could thrive without medication, but in the end, she required more support. ADHD medication does not represent weakness; it’s a crucial tool for many families—just like insulin for a child with diabetes.
ADHD is an invisible disability, but that doesn’t mean it should be trivialized. With the right medication, my daughter is flourishing in school and has formed friendships, gaining confidence along the way. The tears I once shed out of guilt have transformed into tears of joy as I see her thrive.
I had no prior knowledge of who you were before this video, and honestly, I still don’t care to know. However, with nearly 5 million views in such a short time, I felt compelled to address the misinformation you’ve spread. I hope to enlighten anyone misled by your video about the true nature of ADHD and advocate for the countless families affected by it.
If you’re interested in understanding more about ADHD, I invite you to join our supportive community at My Little Villagers. Here, we embrace love, respect, and compassion—far removed from the sensationalism of your video.
Warm regards,
Julia Thompson
Founder of My Little Villagers