For the last few years much of my time has been spent learning about ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). This condition takes on a personal dimension for me due to the fact that both of my children have the condition. Nevertheless, what always is clear with studying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is that the landscape is always changing.

About 10 percent of children are now diagnosed with ADHD. But this number may not reflect the true numbers if you were to include those individuals that didn't quite fit into the strict diagnostic criteria required for a positive diagnosis.

Additionally, adults who made their way through school before the condition became mainstream may have a real problem being diagnosed later in life since two of the primary criteria of ADHD is that it must be present before the age of 7, and create formidable obstacles in two or more settings.

The primary symptoms of ADHD are inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While these symptoms may seem a little vague at first glance chances are pretty good that you would be able to recognize the condition if you knew exactly what to look for.

Just for fun why don't we zip through each one of these primary ADHD symptoms to see whether you or someone you know may indeed have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

*Inattention: Often loses things, is easily distracted, has problems with organization, has trouble following directions, can't quite seem to complete tasks, has trouble listening while others are speaking, tends to daydream more than normal, and has a bad habit of forgetting about daily activities.

*Impulsivity: Is constantly interrupting others, has trouble waiting their turn, and blurts out answers to questions before they are finished being asked.

*Hyperactivity: Is always moving or tapping their feet or hands, squirms or fidgets when sitting, can't stay seated for very long, quite time is for others, talks non-stop, is exceedingly restless.

What do you think? Do any of these characteristics remind you of anyone you know?

Are there any advantages to having ADHD?

I wouldn't go so far as saying that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a gift but under the right set of circumstances it could prove to be an advantage.

To reinforce this assumption three of the most influential names in American history are thought to have had ADHD; Ben Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Edison. If you take these three names out of the annals of history who knows how the world would look today. I would guess a whole lot worse.

There are a number of reasons why these gifted individual were able to take ADHD and turn it into an advantage. The ADHD traits that may have contributed to their success are being able to view problems and situations from a different somewhat unconventional perspective, the ability to generate new ideas quickly, becoming hyper-focused and extra determined when intrigued, uncanny problem solving ability, drive, heightened intuitive instincts, and creativity.

What does all this mean?

Confusing isn't it. On one hand we are told by the so called experts that ADHD is a sure fire recipe for failure, and then we have individuals that have far exceeded all imaginable expectations.

I guess I will leave that to you to think about but what I want you to know is that just because you or someone you love has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder doesn't mean they will fail, and quite honestly success could be right around the next corner under the right set of circumstances.