Dear Ms. Parker,
I recently stumbled upon your video titled “The Real Deal on ADHD,” and let me tell you, it left me feeling quite irked. While I’m not one to resort to anger, your comments were so utterly misguided that I found myself shaking my head in disbelief. Your lack of understanding about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is astounding, especially considering it impacts over 1 billion individuals globally, as noted by CHADD. ADHD is not a joke, and your video has understandably ruffled the feathers of many, particularly parents navigating this reality with their children.
Allow me to introduce myself: I’m a proud mom of an exceptional 7-year-old girl diagnosed with ADHD. I’m also married to a fantastic man who shares this diagnosis. Let me assure you, ADHD is a genuine condition that has existed long before it received its official title. The advancements in research and understanding over the years have made it easier to diagnose, but the challenge remains very real for those affected. As the Child Mind Institute succinctly puts it, ADHD is “classified as a psychiatric disorder,” meaning it significantly impairs mental functioning.
You assert that kids with ADHD are just overly hyper and that it’s simply part of being a child. But here’s the kicker—you don’t have children, let alone a child with ADHD, so your perspective is fundamentally flawed. ADHD comes in three varieties: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Not every child with ADHD is bouncing off the walls. Just like autism, ADHD manifests differently in each individual. Furthermore, the diagnosis often comes with accompanying conditions such as anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiance. I know you might dismiss this information, but I can assure you it’s rooted in reality.
When my daughter, then just six years old, expressed suicidal thoughts, it shattered my heart. Can you fathom a child so young feeling that way? I suspect you can’t, or else you wouldn’t have made your video. ADHD, along with its companion conditions, is no laughing matter. And please, spare me the notion that it’s a result of poor parenting. I might not be perfect, but I work tirelessly to support my children. ADHD is hereditary and doesn’t simply disappear, regardless of how stellar a parent you strive to be. While it can’t be cured, there are numerous strategies—like dietary changes, classroom accommodations, and yes, medication—that can help manage its effects.
Your claim that parents are “drugging their kids for just being kids” is wildly out of touch! Choosing to medicate a child is an incredibly personal and often emotional journey. Most parents of children with ADHD explore other options—like behavioral therapy—before considering medication. For many, medication becomes a necessary support. Would you deny a child with diabetes or epilepsy their medication? I truly hope not! So why would you deny a child with ADHD the same consideration?
Just because ADHD is often invisible doesn’t mean it should be dismissed. Allowing our daughter to take medication has been a game-changer; she’s thriving in school and in her social life, gaining confidence along the way. Those tears of guilt and frustration have turned into tears of joy as I watch her flourish.
Before your video, I had no idea who you were, and to be frank, I still don’t care all that much. But your video has amassed nearly 5 million views in less than a week, which compelled me to write this letter—not just to you, but to anyone who might be misled by your words. If anyone reading this wants to dive deeper into understanding ADHD, I highly recommend joining our supportive community at My Little Villagers. Here, we foster a judgment-free environment filled with love, respect, and compassion—definitely no obnoxious videos about topics you clearly don’t grasp.
Warm regards,
Samantha Greene
Founder of My Little Villagers