ADHD Paradox Slides
Psychology Unit: Neurobiology
The ADHD Paradox
"It's like having a race car engine for a brain... with bicycle brakes."
Cognitive Components
Emotional Regulation
Warm-up: Models of Disability
Medical Model
Disability is viewed as a personal medical problem within the individual's body or mind that needs to be "cured" or "fixed."
"How can we fix this person's brain so they act normally?"
Social Model
Disability is viewed as a mismatch between the person and their environment. Society's barriers are the disabling factor.
"How can we change the environment to accommodate this brain?"
Discuss: Which model does the name "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" align with?
Cornell Notes Guide
Focus 1
Attention Regulation
Neurotypical vs. ADHD dials.
Focus 2
Executive Function
The "Secretary" metaphor.
Focus 3
Working Memory
The "Whiteboard" capacity.
Focus 4
Emotional Regulation
The "Sunburn" effect.
Watch for the Metaphors!
Each cognitive concept is explained with a visual analogy. Sketch these in your notes.
How to (Explain) ADHD
07:39
Embedded media
Pause points ahead!
Pause & Reflect
Timestamp: 1:20 (Attention)
"We don't actually have a deficit of attention... it's because our brains have trouble regulating or shifting our attention."
Quick Discussion:
- How does "Hyperfocus" disprove the idea of an attention deficit?
- If the "dial" only goes to Random or 15, what makes school environments particularly difficult?
Pause & Reflect
Timestamp: 2:50 (The Secretary)
The ADHD Secretary
"My secretary either lets everyone into the meeting or lets no one in... even if it's something important."
Internal vs. External
Distractions aren't just loud noises. They can be memories, ideas, or physical sensations.
Identify the Guests:
What "guests" is your mental secretary letting into your meeting right now?
Phones/Notifications
Hunger/Thirst
Anxiety about later
Classmate's pen tapping
Pause & Reflect
Timestamp: 4:45 (Bicycle Brakes)
Race Car Engine
Creativity, curiosity, high energy, fast processing.
Bicycle Brakes
Poor impulse control, difficulty stopping/switching.
Psychology Connection
The "engine" represents Subcortical Drive (dopamine/reward seeking).
The "brakes" represent the Prefrontal Cortex (executive control).
Socratic Seminar
Time: 20 Minutes
The Central Prompt:
"If we renamed ADHD to Executive Function Regulation Disorder (EFRD), how would public perception and treatment of the condition change?"
Angle 1
Does the current name focus on the symptom or the cause?
Angle 2
How does the "lazy" stigma change if the issue is framed as biological 'brakes'?
Angle 3
How would classroom accommodations change under a 'social model'?
Mission Complete
Grab your Exit Ticket and explain the "Bicycle Brakes" analogy.
Critical thinking reminder:
"Why is punishment for a 'brake failure' less effective than teaching the person how to use the brakes?"
ADHD Metaphors Cornell Notes
ADHD Metaphors
Psychology: Neurobiology & Cognitive Function
Name:
Date:
Essential Question
How do neurological metaphors help us transition from a medical "deficit" model to a social model of ADHD?
Key Terms & Metaphors
(Record vocabulary and sketch the visual analogies here)
Attention Regulation
The Dial
Executive Function
The Secretary
Working Memory
The Whiteboard
Emotional Dysregulation
The Sunburn
Notes & Observations
Summary
In 3-4 sentences, summarize how the "Bicycle Brakes" metaphor explains the struggle of managing high cognitive potential with poor executive control.
ADHD Paradox Exit Ticket
Exit Ticket
Lesson: The ADHD Paradox
Name:
The Physiological Challenge
In the video, Dr. Ned Hallowell uses the metaphor of a Race Car Engine with Bicycle Brakes to explain the ADHD brain.
Based on this analogy, explain why punishment is often ineffective at changing ADHD-related behaviors (like impulsivity or distraction).
Critical Analysis
Physiological
Applied
Exit Ticket
Lesson: The ADHD Paradox
Name:
The Physiological Challenge
In the video, Dr. Ned Hallowell uses the metaphor of a Race Car Engine with Bicycle Brakes to explain the ADHD brain.
Based on this analogy, explain why punishment is often ineffective at changing ADHD-related behaviors (like impulsivity or distraction).
Critical Analysis
Physiological
Applied
