ADHD
Embracing a Person-Centred, Strengths-Based View of ADHD
ADHD highlights distinctive ways of engaging with life.
Updated September 30, 2025 Reviewed by Abigail Fagan
Key points
- Understanding ADHD reveals ways of living and connecting that enrich our view of human diversity.
- When strengths are recognised, ADHD becomes a source of creativity, adaptability, and relational warmth.
- Supportive communities create conditions where ADHD strengths are recognised and encouraged.
While working for a social enterprise several years ago, where I was involved in research and program development for neurodivergent individuals, I gained a deeper understanding of ADHD. Although the challenges faced by people with ADHD became clear, their strengths became even clearer—so much so that it reaffirmed my belief that when we choose to view others through a person-centred, strengths-based lens, we create the best possible version of life for everyone.
Seeing the Whole Picture
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often characterised by challenges—distractibility, impulsivity, and difficulty maintaining focus. These are genuine difficulties, and while recognising them is important, my aim is not to minimise their impact but to offer a more generative view. People with ADHD frequently demonstrate abilities that expand our understanding and deserve even greater recognition (Sedgwick et al., 2019).
ADHD can be better understood as a way of engaging with the world that goes beyond its challenges. It doesn’t take on a fixed form; how it manifests depends on personality, environment, and opportunities (Kofler et al., 2019). From these manifestations, features emerge that, when recognised and supported, develop into distinctive strengths (White & Shah, 2011). This shift in focus moves the conversation from what is lacking to what is possible.
Strengths in Focus
Adopting a more holistic perspective has highlighted four qualities in particular that I describe as Active, Dynamic, High-spirited, and Determined—each demonstrating how ADHD can be a source of creativity, connection, and growth when viewed through a strengths-based lens.
ACTIVE: Vitality and Drive
Many people with ADHD have a natural vitality that, when channelled effectively, becomes a powerful influence in their lives and communities. This energy fuels focus and persistence when aimed at pursuits that genuinely matter. Whether building a business, engaging in a creative project, or leading a team initiative, their drive often creates momentum that keeps progress on track.
When recognised and supported, this vitality is not a liability but a source of stamina and innovation—driving individuals toward success and inspiring others through their dedication and output (Hallowell & Ratey, 2011).
DYNAMIC: Adaptability and Agility
Flexibility and quick thinking are key traits of a dynamic mind. For some individuals with ADHD, adapting to new situations, generating original ideas, and responding creatively to unexpected challenges come naturally.
In environments where change is constant, this adaptability is highly valuable. Many individuals excel in roles that require staying calm under pressure and solving problems quickly, including those in emergency services, the performing arts, entrepreneurship, and tech start-ups. Their ability to pivot and reframe challenges often uncovers solutions others might miss (Sedgwick et al., 2019). By recognising and valuing this dynamism, schools and workplaces can foster not only innovation but also the confidence to face uncertainty with clarity.
HIGH-SPIRITED: Positivity and Relational Warmth
Many individuals with ADHD bring a natural vibrancy to their relationships, infusing social interactions with humour, warmth, and enthusiasm. This spirited presence is often underestimated, yet it creates a ripple effect—lifting morale, sparking curiosity, and encouraging collaboration.
In classrooms, workplaces, and community spaces, this lively outlook can transform the atmosphere, creating environments where people feel energised and connected. When we move beyond stereotypes of impulsivity and recognise high-spiritedness as a wellspring of joy, its value becomes clear. Enthusiasm is not a distraction—it is a catalyst for belonging, motivation, and deeper engagement with others (Mahdi et al., 2017).
DETERMINED: Perseverance and Resilience
While ADHD can pose challenges, many people demonstrate an incredible ability to persevere. Despite setbacks, they continue pursuing education, careers, and personal growth with strong determination. Creative solutions often come from necessity, turning difficulties into opportunities for problem-solving and growth (Barkley, 2015).
This determination goes beyond mere coping; it reflects a deep commitment to purpose and self-discovery. Over time, resilience transforms ADHD from just a struggle into a story of courage and perseverance. By honouring this strength, we recognise individuals not only for their achievements but also for the unwavering spirit with which they pursue their goals.
Building Supportive Communities
Strengths flourish in places where people feel they belong. Communities—whether in families, schools, workplaces, or friendships—provide the foundation where those strengths can grow. When understanding and encouragement are present, individuals with ADHD find more than acceptance; they discover a true sense of contribution (Mahdi et al., 2017).
Supportive communities are built through simple yet powerful acts: listening patiently, celebrating effort as much as achievement, and making space for different ways of thinking and doing. When teachers adapt learning with curiosity, when employers recognise potential beyond convention, and when peers value creativity and spontaneity, new possibilities emerge.
These communities remind us that everyone thrives when our differences are embraced as part of the whole. In this spirit, ADHD is not just seen as a challenge to overcome but as one of many pathways through which energy, imagination, and connection enrich our shared experience.
A Wider View
Viewing ADHD through a person-centred, strengths-based lens is more than a change in terminology—it’s an invitation to envision new possibilities. Energy, adaptability, positivity, and perseverance are not simply traits to admire; they are forces that can inspire innovation, deepen connections, and drive change well beyond the boundaries of ADHD itself.
When we embrace these qualities to enhance our understanding of the human spirit, curiosity grows, creativity flourishes, and resilience takes hold in surprising ways—reminding us of the extraordinary possibilities within every person.
References
Barkley, R. A. (2015). History of ADHD. In R. A. Barkley (Ed.), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed., pp. 3–65). Guilford Press.
Hallowell, E. M., & Ratey, J. J. (2011). Driven to distraction (revised ed.). Anchor Books.
Kofler, M. J., Irwin, L. N., Soto, E. F., Groves, N. B., Harmon, S. L., & Sarver, D. E. (2019). Executive functioning heterogeneity in pediatric ADHD. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 47(2), 273–286.
Mahdi, S., Viljoen, M., Massuti, R., Selb, M., Almodayfer, O., Karande, S., de Vries, P. J., Rohde, L. A., Tuchman, R., & Bölte, S. (2017). An international qualitative study of ability and disability in ADHD using the WHO-ICF framework. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 26(10), 1219–1231.
Sedgwick, J. A., Merwood, A., & Asherson, P. (2019). The positive aspects of ADHD. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 11(3), 241–253.
White, H. A., & Shah, P. (2011). Creative style and achievement in adults with ADHD. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(5), 673–677.
