Are people with ADHD considered "low(er) functioning"?"?

Question

I have ADHD, and I never really thought of myself as mentally ill or anything before, but I heard a commercial on the radio earlier today for a supplemental learning center for people with "autism, Asperger's, and ADHD." There's a guy in my school with Asperger's, and he gets made fun of a lot for being awkward and oblivious to social norms, and I feel bad for him and defend him on occasion, but I didn't think I could ever relate to him. I mean, ADHD is a problem I guess, but I never feel burdened or handicapped by it. I get good grades in school, I have a lot of friends, and I'm not shy or socially awkward. But, then again, I feel like people are condescending toward me a lot, and whenever my ADHD is brought up in conversation with a relative or around her friends, my mom seems embarrassed of me. Plus  when I tell people I have ADHD, they usually act surprised, like they didn't know people with ADHD to be in advanced classes. I feel like shìt after hearing that commercial, because it made me feel subhuman. I'm not saying that people with mental disorders are subhuman, but the commercial was so sympathetic and full of pity for me that it made me wonder if I was mentally handicapped. I've always had this bright outlook on life and believed I could do anything I set my mind to, but now I'm scared that I'm not going to be able to live as full a life as I planned on living. Am I considered to be "low functioning" because I have ADHD? And if so, am I considered as low functioning as a person with Asperger's syndrome?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Oh, hun, you're not low functioning, God no.  I can tell that from your post and anyway, it's a pretty well known fact that a lot of kids with ADHD are really, really intelligent, they just have to contend with ADHD to let that shine.  If people are surprised you have it, it's probably because you do function so well and you are so smart.  Plus, people are generally uninformed about these things.  My mom had to fight to keep me in normal classes when I was younger just because the teachers thought dyslexia automatically meant I needed special ed.  I had a documented IQ higher than any of theirs and graduated as a valedictorian.  Don't let the commercial get you down.  It's just an institution that caters to kids who need a little extra help - be that due to autism or because they haven't quite figured out how to deal with their ADHD and let their potential shine.  You clearly don't need that.  

PS. 
Keep sticking up for the Asperger's kid. If a commercial made you feel like that, imagine how he feels when people make fun of him.

Julia. · Answer

Because EVERYBODY knows when your on medicine, and your super annoying, so they see you as dumb. Medicine makes it way worse. Like that's parents biggest mistakes, is putting you on medicine. It's embarassing. But ummm, if you can't off, try to not be annoying? But I'm praying for you! Keep your head up

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Are people with ADHD considered "low(er) functioning"?"?

2 Answers