The One about Labels and Gatekeeping
Alexia Hetzel
Coach and Consultant | Founder of a boutique life design practice | Specialised in ADHD | Neurodiversity Advocate and Speaker | TEDx Speaker
Yesterday, on ADHD Awareness Day in France, I had the privilege of attending a conference at the Ministère de la Santé in Paris. The event, titled ”Quelles recommandations pour le TDAH?”, featured many speakers who emphasised the distinction between ADD and ADHD (or TDA and TDAH in French).
To clarify, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are now recognised under the single term ADHD, which encompasses various presentations of the disorder. I tend to be in favour of this shift, simply because hyperactivity when not physical/visible, is definitely at least cognitive (too many thoughts, too many ideas, too many streams of thoughts and ideas, so fast, so quickly gone, and all the time). The fact it is invisible does not mean that it's not there.
But this insistance on distinguishing the terms got me thinking more broadly about the implications of labels, especially in the context of neurodivergence. Whether it's ADD or ADHD, I have a problem with the terms "deficit" and "disorder”. It's misleading because individuals with ADHD aren't lacking attentional resources; they just trigger and manage them differently. They often experience attention in a more diffused manner rather than a focused spotlight, and can display intense focus when deeply engaged with something of interest. This "deficit" is really just a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world.
Labels and Diagnosis: A Double-Edged Sword
The conversation around labels extends beyond just ADHD. The articles I’ve read and the stories I encounter highlight a growing trend: many people are seeking neurodivergent diagnoses not just for clarity and support, but as a form of validation and identity.
On the one hand, a diagnosis can be validating and provide a new lens through which individuals understand their behaviours and brain functions. It can create a sense of belonging within a community and offer a framework for support. However, there is a downside to this trend. Redefining oneself based on a diagnostic label can inadvertently create new limitations and reinforce certain beliefs about what one can or cannot achieve. I've noticed a concerning phenomenon where individuals use their diagnosis to explain every aspect of their behaviour, almost as if it has become their entire identity. Phrases like "I had an autistic meltdown" or "I had an ADHD freeze" can overshadow the fact that sometimes, these experiences are simply part of being human.
One of the speakers, Olivia Moore , expressed this very well at yesterday's event: not always knowing if the way she acts and reacts is a result of her ADHD or just a manifestation of her personality, makes it more difficult to craft a sense of self and build self-esteem.
What has been characterised over the years as a deficit or ailment is really just a different way of paying attention and of perceiving and processing information, emotions, and sensory input. This is well demonstrated by the fact that until this day, if you don't clash with social norms or require different tools or circumstances to function, you don't get diagnosed with ADHD (or any other neurodivergence for that matter). Or not until much later in life (when what you didn't know were coping mechanisms start crumbling one by one). You basically have to cause or be a problem to 'have' a problem... a paradigm I find regrettable.
The Yassification of Neurodivergence
There’s also a cultural shift happening where being neurodivergent, especially having ADHD, is seen as trendy or desirable. Social media plays a significant role in this, turning what used to be considered a disability into a sought-after personality trait. This phenomenon, often referred to as the "yassification" of ADHD, can trivialise the real challenges faced by those with genuine diagnoses. As Charlotte Maley highlights, "ADHD has gone from a delinquent disability to a sought-after personality quirk", complicating the lives of those genuinely diagnosed who struggle to be taken seriously.
Neuropsychologist Elisabeth Perreau-Linck, PhD worries about the growing number of requests for neurodivergent diagnoses (which by the way does not seem to translate into equivalent numbers of actual diagnoses) : "It's as if failures or limitations must have a pathological source to make being within the normal range less painful to accept".
This shift is echoed in the broader trend where psychiatric labels are increasingly adopted as identities. As pointed out in Manvir Singh 's recent New Yorker article, “To name something—to separate it from the rest of existence and bestow a label on it—is a foundational act. It is the beginning of understanding and control”. While this can be empowering, it can also be limiting and lead to a rigid self-concept based on a diagnosis.
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Coaching Beyond Labels
In my coaching practice, I’ve observed that the demand for ADHD coaching is not limited to those with a formal diagnosis. Many clients, regardless of whether they identify as having ADHD, seek my help because the strategies designed to simplify life and enhance focus are universally beneficial. This underscores a broader truth: attention management and executive function support can aid anyone navigating the demands of modern life. This makes total sense as ADHD coaching helps people simplify their life, make conscious decisions, and lighten the load on daily executive functions. Don't we all want this?
The converse, however, is not true: a coaching approach that is not suited to ADHD or differently wired brains may help neurotypicals, but will not help the differently wired and may create additional layers of frustration and increased learned helplessness. This highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to diverse cognitive needs.
A Call for less Gatekeeping and Understanding
Ultimately, while navigating the complexities of labels and diagnoses can be challenging, it’s liberating to know that in my work, I don't have to gatekeep who is legitimately neurodivergent. My mission is to support all clients in their pursuit of clarity, intention, and focus on what truly matters to them. Luckily, in the work I do, I don’t have to worry about gatekeeping (questioning the genuineness of people identifying with neurodivergent labels). I just have to follow my mission and passion and be a thinking partner in my clients' search for clarity, intention, and focus on what is truly important to them.
Concluding Thoughts
While labels can provide a sense of identity and validation, it’s crucial to remember that they should not define us completely. Embracing our unique ways of functioning and focusing on our needs, rather than just our labels, can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life. Maybe you just had an 'autistic meltdown'. Maybe you just had a meltdown. Maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe you are just being you, and as long as you understand your needs, and they are being met (with or without help), you have a good shot at being happy, even if you function differently.
In conclusion, I find it strange that people chase diagnoses, but it's not my role to decide who is legitimately neurodivergent and who isn't. I just follow my passion and mission to be a thinking partner in my clients' search for clarity and focus on what truly matters to them. And remember, the coaching I provide is beneficial beyond just those diagnosed with ADHD. Attention has become a valuable commodity in today’s world, and the strategies I use can help anyone simplify their life and make conscious decisions, regardless of whether they are neurodivergent.
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