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      • DECONSTRUCTING ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER AND PSYCHOPATHY: A GUIDELINES-BASED APPROACH TO PREJUDICIAL PSYCHIATRIC LABELS [Hofstra Law Review 2013]
      • Personality Disorders -- Unscientific & Vague -- Must Be Reformed
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      • GAO 15-710: MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Actions Needed to Enhance CMS Oversight of Provider Network Adequacy (Aug. 2015)
      • CMS: Promoting Access in Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care: A Toolkit for Ensuring Provider Network Adequacy and Service Availability (April 2017)
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      • CMS Parity Compliance Toolkit Applying Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Requirements to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs [Jan. 17, 2017]
      • Frequently Asked Questions: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Final Rule for Medicaid and CHIP [CMS October 11, 2017]
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  • New Understandings Matter
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  • Inflammation, the Immune System, Neuro-Developmental Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders, Substance Use Issues & Chronic Disease
  • Microglia and the Brain's Immune System
  • Substance Issues & the Immune System

Slideshare -- University of Derby (2010)
​

adhd & Autism --- looking for the strengths


Val's Take
  • The current psychiatric diagnostic classifications we have are NOT VALID according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
  • BUT that is our vocabulary --- it's extremely flawed and does a lot of harm.
  • To me, we're really talking about idiosyncratic NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL INFLAMMATION and later acquired INFLAMMATION.
  • Having said that, some of these symptoms do cluster--- although people can wind up getting diagnosed with ADHD, AUTISM, SCHIZOPHRENIA, BIPOLAR DISORDER & DEPRESSION.
  • I also think that some of the STRENGTHS that we think of with ADHD & AUTISM are related to unusual processing which is sometimes seen as a weakness as well.
​National Institute of Mental Health:  5 Disorders Share Common Genes (2013) --- ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia & Unipolar Depression
"Now this doesn't match with these being distinct."
​

​In summary, calcium seems to play a central role in the activation of cells of the immune system. When the cells are stimulated, [Ca2+]i generally increases as a result of entry from the external medium, as well as mobilization of calcium from intracellular membrane-bound compartments.

Calcium homeostasis and the activation of calcium channels ...www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pmc › articles › PMC1807782

​
Purple Ella
ADHD & Autism Strengths (Jan. 2021)

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ADHD--The Greatest Gift I Was Ever Given
​
​By Connor Keppel 

​
The Big Picture. . .People with ADHD have an exceptional ability to see the big picture.

Give me a 100 piece jigsaw and I’ll see in seconds how it goes together — the only problem is, I find it really hard to know which piece I should start with.

People with ADHD not only want to focus on what interests us but we feel instinctively that we need to and we always think about the big picture.

Now throw obsession, passion and strategy into something and you will truly make a difference — a big one.
Click Here
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Image Credit: Lexington Sun News -- ​"AG Wilson joins coalition seeking congressional support for autism services"
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“ADHD is not caused by the world today. The world today has just created a situation where people with ADHD cannot cope.”

                                                                     ------"Everything You Thought You
                                                                               Knew About ADHD is Wrong"

                                                                               Aug. 2020

[This is not quite the FEEL GOOD Strengths article BUT it is extremely important to realize how HARSH our modern life is for many people who are not neuro-typical and maybe that is the first step to making it better.].
​

AUTISM
​
Table via autismtopics.org

Picture

17 Things to Love About ADHD
info via aDDitude.mag


​1 of 19
The Undeniable Power of ADHD

Be proud of your attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) and all the out-of-the-box thinking, humor, drive, and passion it brings! Read on for some of the best traits of people with ADHD we know and love.

2 of 19
The Drive of ADD Hyperfocus

ADHD's trademark hyperfocus is a serious advantage — if you can effectively channel all that attention and energy into work that makes a difference. “Many scientists, writers, and artists with ADHD have had very successful careers, in large part because of their ability to focus on what they’re doing for hours on end,” says Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D.

3 of 19
Real ADHD Resilience

ADHD isn’t always a walk in the park, and we've all faced our share of disappointments and embarrassments over the years. But people with ADHD excel at pushing past setbacks, adapting new strategies, and moving forward better than ever. As Linda Roggli said, “We see the light at the end of the darkest tunnel. We pick ourselves up off the sidewalk when we fall. We smile through our tears.”
[Get This Free Download: Your Guide to All the Best Parts of ADHD]

4 of 19
A Sparkling Personality

Individuals with ADHD are bright, creative, and funny — often using self-depreciating humor to remind that world that perfection is wholly uninteresting. They’ve faced challenges, learned novel ways to manage their symptoms, and developed a sense of humility and self-respect along the way. All these traits add up to a person that is a pleasure to be around, and brightens others’ days with her warmth.

5 of 19
ADD Generosity

Barbara, an ADDitude reader from Virginia, writes that the thing she loves most about her son is “his generosity and his desire to please those he cares about. He is so protective of his younger sister.” Individuals with ADHD love to make people happy, whether it’s by sharing a cookie or inviting a friend to cry on their shoulder.

6 of 19
Ingenuity

We're able to harness that ADHD creativity in strange and wonderful ways. ADDitude contributor Linda Roggli struggled with filing her papers alphabetically. So she came up with her own system. “The associations in my head are one-of-a-kind,” she says. “If my brain thinks of life insurance policies and bicycle warranties the same way, that’s how I file them. When I return to that folder, I’ll find them both.” Whatever works for us, right?

7 of 19
A Strong Sense of Fairness

After living with accommodations — or perhaps struggling without them — people with ADHD know that “fair” doesn’t always mean “equal.” They understand that different people need different things to succeed, and they’re committed to helping whomever they can.
[Get This Free Download: Your Guide to Changing How the World Sees ADHD]

8 of 19
Willingness to Take a Risk

Thomas Edison — who probably had ADHD — put all his efforts toward inventing the light bulb, even when it seemed impossible. In the end, it took him more than 3,000 tries before he made a functioning light bulb, but the victory was immeasurably sweet because he had to risk a lot — and fail even more — to make it work.

9 of 19
Spontaneity

As ADDitude blogger Allison Larkin points out, “Acting on impulse sometimes results in wonderful things.” A totally unplanned drive to New England in the middle of a snowstorm brought her to the town she would fall in love with, and later move to. Find out what your spontaneity can do for you!

10 of 19
A Great Sense of Humor!

Well-adjusted people with ADHD have learned to use humor to cope with difficult situations, great and small. Need proof? Head over to Alison Larkin's page to see how this comedienne uses humor to deal with life’s challenges.

11 of 19
Constant Surprises

Finding money (or clothing, or a tasty snack) that you forgot about earlier makes life a string of pleasant surprises — who knows what you’ll uncover next?!

12 of 19
Last of the Romantics

“Spontaneity, outside-the-box creativity, and heightened energy” — all traits of people with ADHD — “add pizzazz to romantic interludes.” Adults with ADHD are known for showering their partners with affection — and forever believing in the power of love, even when their relationships hit a bump in the road.

13 of 19
Engaging Conversational Skills

One thing is certain — with ADHD, there’s never a quiet moment! Your constantly racing brain is always leading you toward new topics of discussion and questions of great import; awkward lulls in the conversation are virtually nonexistent.

14 of 19
Compassion

Though we often struggle in school or in social situations without adequate help, people with ADHD are known for their compassion toward others and willingness to lend a hand. As proud momma Dee Boling said after her son was awarded Student of the Month, “I’d rather have a kind, cooperative kid than a smart aleck who gets straight As without trying.”

15 of 19
Persistence

Lisa Aro's daughter has ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing disorder — and she can only see out of one eye. Does she let any of this stop her? Nope! As her mother writes to her, “You write, draw, paint, film, act, invent, create, and dream. You set your sights on something and do it. No disability has stopped you from pursuing what you want.” Thousands of other persistent people with ADHD do the same every single day.
[Get This Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for Focus & Productivity]

16 of 19
Superstar Creativity

​Famous people with ADHD include singer Justin Timberlake, chef Alexis Hernandez, and comedian Howie Mandel — not to mention dozens of others! People with ADHD are often highly intelligent and creative, and these famous faces prove that your diagnosis will only hold you back if you let it.

17 of 19
A Different Perspective

These days, it seems like everyone is an “ADHD expert,” and the media often portrays the disorder unfairly. Living with the disorder — or parenting a child who does — allows you to always be there to correct negative perceptions and spread awareness. Your personal experience and unique perspective on the situation may change a mind!

18 of 19
Contagious Motivation

High energy is contagious. When those around you see your drive, passion, and knack for out-of-the-box thinking, they’ll be inspired to push for their goals as well.

19 of 19
Being Highly Organized, Punctual, and Generally Responsible

​Ha! Gotcha.


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  • Home
    • About Orchid >
      • Why Orchid?
      • ORCHID'S SYSTEMIC FOCUS & "ROOT CAUSE" ANALYSIS APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING WITH A COMMITMENT TO CREATIVITY & INNOVATION
      • Disclaimers, Limitations and An Invitation
      • Orchid Board
      • Orchid Book Club
      • Conjecture, Science & Translational Research & Medicine
      • Orchid Themes & Symbols
      • The Tipping Point
      • Orchid's Website Advertising Policy
      • Statement for Potential Website Contributors
      • Contact
  • Blogs
    • Val's Blog
    • Val's Blog 2
    • ​TRANSLATIONAL/ ​TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE MONDAY
    • NEURO-DIVERSITY Wednesday
    • Olmstead Law & Order Thursday
    • Translational Medicine Friday
    • Translational Love, Relationships & Neuro-Diversity Saturday
  • Orchid's A-Z Index
    • Crisis Services in CO, the US & Around the World
    • Assertive Community Treatment & Flexible ACT Index
    • Housing & Homelessness Index
    • Criminal Justice
    • Innovation Index
    • For More: See the Main Orchid Index Page
  • US Federal
    • THE IMD RULE & ADMIN. ENFORCEMENT OF DISABILITY CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS
    • Medicaid & Supportive Housing & Housing-Related Services
    • CMS' FAILURE TO COVER HOUSING FOR LTC & THE IMD RULE: WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON IS DISCRIMINATION
    • National Take
  • Research & Translational Medicine
    • Immunology & Mental Health >
      • Alcoholism & the Immune System & Mental Health
      • Brain Injury, the Immune System & Mental Health
      • Celiac Disease & Sensitivities, the Immune System & Mental Illness
      • Mental Illness & The Immune System
      • Racial Discrimination & the Immune System & Mental Health
      • Trauma & the Immune System & Mental Health
      • ***Physical Health Issues, the Immune System & Mental Health Index
    • University of Chicago: Institute of Translational Medicine
  • Hot Topics
    • What We Want --- SAMHSA Grant Opportunities Due Jan. 22, 2019
    • Anti-Social Personality Disorder >
      • DECONSTRUCTING ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER AND PSYCHOPATHY: A GUIDELINES-BASED APPROACH TO PREJUDICIAL PSYCHIATRIC LABELS [Hofstra Law Review 2013]
      • Personality Disorders -- Unscientific & Vague -- Must Be Reformed
    • Executive Functioning & "Prison Brain" >
      • Job Accommodation Network on Executive Functioning Deficits
    • Medicaid & Medicare Network Adequacy >
      • OIG: STATE STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO CARE IN MEDICAID MANAGED CARE (Sept. 2014)
      • OIG: ACCESS TO CARE: PROVIDER AVAILABILITY IN MEDICAID MANAGED CARE (Dec. 2014)
      • GAO 15-710: MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Actions Needed to Enhance CMS Oversight of Provider Network Adequacy (Aug. 2015)
      • CMS: Promoting Access in Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care: A Toolkit for Ensuring Provider Network Adequacy and Service Availability (April 2017)
    • Medicaid Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Parity >
      • CMS Parity Compliance Toolkit Applying Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Requirements to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs [Jan. 17, 2017]
      • Frequently Asked Questions: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Final Rule for Medicaid and CHIP [CMS October 11, 2017]
    • Olmstead Disability Rights >
      • Statement of the Department of Justice on Enforcement of the Integration Mandate of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Olmstead v. L.C. (2011)
      • Comprehensive Olmstead Planning
      • the Logical Long Term Consequences of our failure to provide Intensive Community MH Treatment
      • Olmstead Nation ---State Pages: How Far to Comply with Olmstead?
  • Take A Walk Around Orchid's Resource Block
  • Colorado Abuse & Neglect Scandals Involving People with Disabilities
  • Mental Health By The Numbers
  • New Science Is Amazing AND It Has HUGE Moral Implications for Our Society: NOW
  • Olmstead & Homelessness
  • Double V
  • " 'Defund the Police" Means 'Invest in the Resources Our Communities Need' " or Don't Cost Shift to the Police
  • VAGUE OLMSTEAD PLANS, EXPENSIVE LITIGATION
  • Updating & Reforming our Understanding & Treatment of "Anti-Social Personality Disorder" Blog
  • Reform of " Anti-Social Personality Disorder" in Criminal Justice
  • CO HB22-1278
  • New Understandings Matter
  • Mental Health, Ethics & Law
  • CO Olmstead Disability Homeless Law & Policy Project
  • Inflammation, the Immune System, Neuro-Developmental Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders, Substance Use Issues & Chronic Disease
  • Microglia and the Brain's Immune System
  • Substance Issues & the Immune System