--- title: Could ADHD be a plus in the right environment? description: In a New York Times op-ed, “A Natural Fix for ADHD,” Richard Friedman writes that adding novelty and stimulation to work and school environments can help kids with ADHD. slug: could-adhd-be-a-plus-in-the-right-environment author: Rae Jacobson, MS published: '2019-10-16T12:15:47.732Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/A084B1D0FCD344C4B59C32FA2971C98B/626d68a9fcce905fdac2aae59513ed2f/78741771.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/could-adhd-be-a-plus-in-the-right-environment lang: en --- # Could ADHD be a plus in the right environment? A recent op-ed in the *New York Times*, “[A Natural Fix for ADHD](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/opinion/sunday/a-natural-fix-for-adhd.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1409232722000&bicmet=1419773522000&_r=1),” offers a new take on the rapid increase in ADHD diagnoses. The author, Richard Friedman, MD, focuses on research showing that people with ADHD are “hardwired” to seek novelty. (In fact, he explains, seeking new things could have helped our ancestors survive.) Friedman, a psychiatrist, suggests the [rise in ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-adhd) diagnoses may be due to school and work environments that rely increasingly on repetition and routine. These environments don’t satisfy an excitement-craving mind. The “fix” he recommends is to find an environment where the symptoms of ADHD — restlessness, the need for novelty and stimulation — are a strength, not a weakness. He tells the story of a former patient who struggled to stay focused and succeed at his desk job. Everything changed when the patient left the structured office to begin his own start-up. “All of a sudden, his greatest liabilities — his impatience, short attention span and restlessness — became assets.” Despite the article’s title, Friedman says he’s not advocating for constant novelty as a “cure” for ADHD. But he does offer possible solutions, like having schools offer more hands-on learning in smaller classes. He also makes clear that he’s not saying people shouldn’t use stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin, which he says are “safe and effective” and can help kids with ADHD. What do you think? Does the right environment make all the difference? *Any opinions, views, information and other content contained in blogs on Understood.org are the sole responsibility of the writer of the blog, and do not necessarily reflect the views, values, opinions or beliefs of, and are not endorsed by, Understood.* --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Hyperfocus: Is microdosing the next frontier in ADHD treatment?](https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/missunderstood/hyperfocus-microdosing) - Recent research is showing psychedelic drugs potential in treating mental health conditions. When you think about someone taking a psychedelic drug like magic mushrooms, the first images that come to mind probably dont involve a medical professional in a white coat or any sort of clinical setting - [What parents should know about the MAHA report](https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/hyperfocus/what-parents-should-know-about-the-maha-report) - A clinical psychologist breaks down what parents need to know about the new MAHA report. ADHD gets mentioned a lot in the new report from the Make America Healthy Again commission. Its pitched as part of the childhood chronic disease crisis, and the authors make a lot of big claims: - Food addit - [ADHD in the family: When your child’s diagnosis leads to your own](https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/in-it/adhd-in-the-family) - What if your child gets an ADHD diagnosis and you recognize the symptoms in yourself? Hear one moms story and get tips from a psychologist. What happens if your child gets diagnosed with ADHD, and you recognize some of the signs in yourself? Should you get tested? 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