Thriving with ADHD - Unlocking Ferrari Brains, Strengthening Bicycle Brakes (Unlocking ADHD)

ADHD has been described as having a "Ferrari engine with bicycle brakes" - there are inherent strengths in the ADHD wiring but we need to work on strengthening those brakes to match the horsepower of the engine.

Dr Edward (Ned) Hallowell, renowned US psychiatrist, ADHD expert and ADHDer, will share how a strengths-based approach combined with management of the symptoms/traits can unlock the potential of ADHDers to thrive.
- Find out how to maximize the benefits of ADHD and minimize the downsides at any age
- Learn the latest developments in how the brain works
- How did Dr Hallowell overcome challenging childhood circumstances to make the impact in transforming lives today?

Meet Chong Ing Kai, an award-winning student entrepreneur and youth ADHDer and hear his journey on thriving with ADHD.

Chapter Divisions
Part I: Presentation by Dr. Ned Hallowell
0:00 Prelude
1:00 Introduction by Dr. Hallowell
3:31 What is ADHD?
3:38 ADHD (Misnomer)
5:44 Metaphor of Niagara Falls (Tapping on the Power of the ADHD Brain)
6:45 A Trait not a Disorder (Asset vs Liability)
7:45 Variable Attention Stimulus Trait
8:08 Reframing the Core Triad of Symptoms
11:06 Closing Remarks

Part II: Question and Answer Session
12:31 Q&A Session
12:50 Q1: The Influence of One's Environment and Culture on ADHD
13:29 A1
15:04 Q2: Factors Within and Without Control
15:50 A2
18:46 Q3: Embracing and Accepting Neurodivergence in the Workplace
19:24 A3
21:57 Q4: Disclosing ADHD

22:47 A4
25:40 Q5: 3 Tips when you Suspect you have ADHD
26:27 A5
31:39 Q6: Overcoming the Inner Hurdles / Self-compassion
32:30 A6

Questions from the Audience
37:39 Q7: Self-advocacy of ADHD
38:19 A7
41:50 Q8: Self-diagnosis and its Validity
42:30 A8

Part III: Sharing By Chong Ing Kai
44:56 Introduction of Chong Ing Kai
45:50 Self-introduction
46:24 Interest in Building Things / Working on Tech to Benefit Society
47:02 Impact Driven Projects
47:52 Engineering Academy
48:44 Creating Opportunities for STEAM Education through Stick' Em

Part IV: Misc Questions
50:16 Q9: Advantages of Obtaining a Diagnosis Early in Life
50:24 A9
51:07 Q10: Parental Support in Harnessing Strengths / Managing Symptoms
51:24 A10
53:40 Q11: Reframing Life in the Light of ADHD
53:55 A11
56:25 Q12: Lessons about ADHD
56:43 A12
58:23 Q13: Motivation on Emotionally Dysregulated Days
58:30 A13
59:01 Q14: Preventing Burnout
59:10 A14
59:59 Discussion on Medication
1:01:07 Q15: Physical Activities in Managing ADHD
1:01:13 A15
1:01:35 Q16: Parents' Support in Children's Organizational Skills
1:01:46 A16

Closing
1:02:18 Moonlake Lee's Sharing
1:03:01 Closing Remarks

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[franctsg]

Such great information in here!

16:38 Vitamin C = Connections = Unlocking ADHD itself is such a great connection!

20:18 No brain is the same, no brain is the best, each brain find its own special way. Celebrating neurodiversity, celebrating differences.

Thank you Moonlake and the team!

[dianamariagabrielapellegri]

Hello from Italy! OMG you make me smile and cry! Finally someone that has my point of view!🦄🌈😘 (there are not many)

[technerd]

As someone with ADHD and a being a car person, I disagree with this metaphor. The brain is not equvalent to a whole car, a whole car would be equivalent to the whole human body. The brain is more like the engine. If a neuro-typical brain is akin to a conventional piston based internal combustion engine, then an ADHD brain would be a Wankel engine (also known as a rotary engine). Instead of a piston, you have a rotor. It's highly inefficient (in terms of engines, this means low fuel mileage, higher emissions output), and a high power output relative to its displacement. But when carefully tuned and set up, it can VERY powerful and efficient, and yes, and be a supercar (I might say a McLaren F1 or Ford GT, or a Formula 1 car, but not a Ferrari, but that's showing my bias).

Also, a point of correction, at the 5:52 mark, he makes a reference to Niagar Falls and erroneously states it's in the US. While this is true, it's terribly misleading. Niagara Falls spans the Canada-US border, placing it in both countries, however, most references to Niagara Falls, most pictures, the primary tourist destination would be to the Canadian side as the famous and majestic Horeshoes Falls part of Niagara Falls are on the Canadian side of the border and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada is the primary tourist destination compared to Niagara Falls, New York, USA. The American Falls, as they are known, are beautiful, but not nearly as majestic as the Horseshoe Falls. People with ADHD tend to like to be accurate, so I'm sure the doctor would understand this part of my comments.

I do like the proposed alternative name, though I don't think it's quite right because it ignores the hyperkinetic brain activity (variable attention alludes to this, but doesn't make it clear) and that motivation is dopamine dependent, things like money generally don't motivate us the same as most people.