Dear Alex,
I recently stumbled upon your video titled “The Reality of ADHD,” and I must express my dismay. While I’m not one to resort to aggressive reactions, your comments pushed me to the edge of frustration. It was not only disrespectful and uninformed but also demonstrated a complete lack of understanding about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), a genuine mental health condition that impacts over a billion individuals globally, as reported by CHADD. Your portrayal of ADHD incited anger in me and countless others, especially parents of children navigating this challenge.
You don’t know me, and I’m unsure if you’ll ever see this message, but I’m a mother to a wonderful 7-year-old girl diagnosed with ADHD. My husband also has ADHD. I can assure you that this condition is real and has been recognized for many years. Historically, individuals with ADHD have existed; it’s only recently that we’ve developed a better understanding and nomenclature for it, leading to more accurate diagnoses. ADHD manifests in various ways daily, both positively and negatively. The Child Mind Institute describes ADHD as “classified as a psychiatric disorder, which means it’s a condition involving mental functioning that can cause significant impairment.”
You assert that kids diagnosed with ADHD are merely hyperactive, suggesting this is just typical childhood behavior. However, since you have no experience parenting a child with ADHD (or children at all), your perspective is misguided. ADHD is categorized into three types: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Not all children with ADHD exhibit hyperactivity. Just like autism, ADHD affects individuals differently. When a child receives an ADHD diagnosis, they may also experience coexisting conditions such as anxiety, depression, or oppositional defiant disorder. I know you may dismiss this as nonsense due to your lack of experience, but I assure you it’s real.
It broke my heart when my then-6-year-old daughter expressed a desire to end her life. Can you fathom a child, who hasn’t even lost a tooth, feeling that way? You likely can’t, or you wouldn’t have produced your video. ADHD, depression, and related conditions are not subjects to ridicule. And please don’t suggest that these issues stem solely from poor parenting.
While I don’t claim to be perfect, I am a devoted mother, willing to do anything for my children. ADHD is hereditary and does not simply vanish due to exemplary parenting. You cannot eradicate ADHD, but you can mitigate its negative effects and amplify its positive aspects through tools, school accommodations, dietary modifications, and importantly, medication.
Your assertion that parents are “drugging their kids for being kids” is utterly inappropriate. The decision to medicate a child is deeply personal, often fraught with emotion and stress. Most parents of children with ADHD explore alternative treatments like behavioral therapy and dietary changes before resorting to medication. In our case, my husband and I hoped our daughter would thrive without medication, but she needed additional support. ADHD medication is just that—support. Would you deny a child with diabetes or epilepsy their essential medication? I would hope not. So why deny a child with ADHD the help they need?
ADHD is an invisible disability that warrants serious consideration. By allowing our daughter access to ADHD medication, she receives the support, care, and love she deserves. With proper treatment, she is excelling academically and socially, forming friendships, and gaining self-confidence. The guilt and embarrassment I once felt have transformed into tears of joy as I witness her flourish.
Before your video, I was unfamiliar with your work and, to be candid, I still don’t care to know more. However, given that your video has garnered nearly 5 million views in less than a week, I felt compelled to share this message with you and your followers, as well as anyone misled by your video, to clarify the realities of ADHD and advocate for those affected by it.
There’s so much more to ADHD than I’ve shared here. If anyone interested in learning more wants to join a supportive community, I invite you to visit our ADHDmazing tribe at My Little Villagers, where we prioritize compassion and understanding—free from the kind of misinformation you presented.
Warm regards,
Jessica Lane
Founder of My Little Villagers
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Summary:
This letter expresses frustration towards Alex Taylor’s misrepresentation of ADHD in a viral video. The author shares personal experiences as a mother of a child with ADHD, emphasizing the complexity of the disorder and the importance of proper understanding and treatment. It calls for compassion and respect for families affected by ADHD and invites readers to join a supportive community for further education.