Intelligence is not directly related to ADHD, so although some people with ADHD may have specific abilities that allow them to excel in certain areas, there is no evidence that people with ADHD are more intelligent.
Many children have complications when it comes to remaining seated during class time and display behaviors that could be considered detrimental to the development of curricular content. How many times has a child been disciplined for interrupting a teacher while he or she was speaking? What is the IQ of these people? There are very diffuse opinions on this matter. In this Psychology-Online article, we explain If people with ADHD are more intelligent.
Why people with ADHD are said to be more intelligent
The acronym ADHD corresponds to , which implies a mental health pathology that is characterized by the presence of impulsivity, lack of impulse control along with difficulty sustaining attention for prolonged periods of time. Although the diagnosis is more common in children, it can also extend into adulthood.
Beyond these considerations, there is sometimes the idea that people with ADHD are more intelligent than the average population. This is true if you take into account that Your IQ may be higher than other people. However, impulsivity, hyperactivity and lack of attention can be factors that interfere with the development of intelligence.
How intelligent are people with ADHD?
Over the years, a belief has been established that indicates a lack of intelligence in people with ADHD. Hyperactivity and inattention were often thought to be linked to a lack of interest in the perceived stimulus. Over time it has been shown that this is not correct, given that the problems that arise within this clinical picture are of neurological origin.
On the one hand, people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder They do not usually present problems when solving cognitive activities., given that they have a considerable degree of intelligence. If people with this diagnosis and without it were compared, one could reach the conclusion that there are no differences older than each other.
On the other hand, there is evidence that indicates higher than average intelligence in some people with ADHD. In this way, it is possible to debunk the postulate that indicates a cognitive deficit in those diagnosed with ADHD, since hyperactivity and lack of attention can be understood from another point of view.
How the brain of a person with ADHD works
According to various research carried out, it has been proven that the brain of people with ADHD develops in a longer period of time than usual, because the maturation of brain structures takes longer. Both the corpus callosum and the putamen, hippocampus and the cerebral amygdala grow gradually.
For this reason, the brain’s neurotransmitters may have problems communicating with each other, which would explain the behaviors displayed by people with ADHD. To address this topic in greater depth, below, we will point out how the brain of a person with ADHD works:
- Delayed attentional focus: when there are various stimuli that cause a change in attentional focus, the times to process the information are usually longer than usual. This produces difficulty focusing attention and concentrating and can vary depending on the severity of the condition studied.
- Slowed neural transmission: When neurotransmitters are released they have problems communicating with each other, due to the complexity of the synaptic connections that develop.
- Brain structures undergoing growth: The brain of a person with ADHD may not have developed in the expected times and ways during breastfeeding, pregnancy and/or childhood. These types of problems play a fundamental role when it comes to understanding processes such as impulse control, short and long term memory or emotional development, among others. In this article you will see.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Aguilar Rebolledo, F., Jiménez Ortiz, MA (2021). Attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity. Updated review. Medigraphic Magazine, 8 (1), 39-49.
- American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (5th edition). Arlington: Panamericana Medical Publishing.
- Rusca-Jordán, F., Cortez-Vergara, C. (2020). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. A clinical review. Journal of Neuropsychiatry, 83 (3), 148-156.