You Have A.D.H.D. and, Sorry to Say This, You Are Probably NOT a Genius
Despite what the knuckleheads at “Unwrapping the A.D.D. Nonsense and Finding the Inner Genius” might say to the contrary, there is no causal relationship between A.D.D. (or A.D.H.D. or A.D./H.D. or any other choice acronym) and “genius.” In fact, the whole idea as to what really IS genius is up for grabs. Even worse, despite our attempt to make everyone feel good and special, some researchers believe that every child may NOT be a hidden genius. See: http://bit.ly/nvXN
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Very interesting, Jeff. Thanks for drawing our attention to this. I’ve always wondered how Goldman substantiated his theories, and now I see that…he hasn’t!
As the article points out:
“As Waterhouse put it, the theory is “persisting without adequate evidence” — and was likely to continue to do so, she added, because of the “good news stories” it provides.”
Happy stories sell!
The decades-long trend of “gifted” designations in elementary schools has always made me shudder. Do these educational “geniuses” who came up with that have no empathy at all for children who, according to this system, have no gifts? I’m not sure it’s better to take it to the other extreme — that all children have gifts — if it means ignoring their weaknesses.
Some teachers do understand the importance of good neurocognitive functioning when it comes to learning, and that sometimes this involve medication. Some, however, bring some dangerously romantic ideas to the special ed classroom — namely, that deficits are gifts.
I especially like this part of the article:
“By contrast, a wealth of evidence supports the existence of “g,” which, contrary to the claims (or wishes) of some people, remains a strong predictor of academic performance, job performance — particularly in highly technical careers or those requiring decision making — and other markers of “success.”
g
Oops, of course, I meant Gardner, not Goldman. And I didn’t even mean Goldman but Goleman (as in Daniel Goleman and emotional intelligence).
I’ll go back to watching the polenta now…was worried it would burn so I rushed!
Gina, thank you for your comments. And when you get a chance…share your polenta secrets. I tried it once. Didn’t care for the result.
Gina,
You will probably like this “tweet” I wrote about a week ago: “I figured out why I am an A.D.D. failure. My inner child is interfering with my inner genius while confounding my inner DaVinci.”
Ha! Very good. Tell that inner brat of yours to take a powder.
Hmmm, wish you could have enjoyed some of that dinner I made tonight — a sort of lamb ragu with shitake mushrooms and zucchini atop polenta with just a bit of chipotle peppers.
Polenta is easy (growing up, we called it “mush” — I think that’s a southern thing). If you can make oatmeal, you can make polenta. Get the water boiling, add a little salt, stir in some good-quality cornmeal (aka Whole Foods bulk bin), and keep stirring frequently until it’s thick. Let it sit with the lid for a while until it’s set. Sorry I don’t have any recipe. I’m like my mother — I eyeball it.
g
Something I have always noticed about wanting conformation about ourselves,and falling for unproven written info.>I have known people that believe in astrology/horoscopes. I have looked at horoscopes,and found out I can pick any “Sign”(libra,gemini,aquarius,etc…)and WOW!! Thats ME!!
Just an opinion about believing in what we want to be.
Scott.
Scott,
You are absolutely correct! We believe in what we want to believe in. Further, the “predictions” are usually very generic. They can be applied to most any situation.
Jeff,
I thought(predicted..chuckle) you would agree with that example of the power of the authors of many subjects we are exposed to.
I see it in the media particularly(politics,commercials,etc…).Which brings to mind, the the old saying “You can lead a horse to water…But…”
I am guilty of being too thirsty,for most of my life.It can leave a very bad taste in my mouth at times. So I am willing to concede to the fact,as Popeye says;”I ams what I ams”…And try to cull the facts out of the information I read and hear.Thats the easy part. Culling the facts out the information in my own mind…well, it’s a starting point.
Scott.