This video explores the relationship between ADHD and the executive system, arguing that ADHD is not primarily an attention disorder but rather an "intention deficit disorder."

Key points:

The video introduces three key concepts for understanding ADHD: inhibition (stopping behaviour), self-regulation (directing behaviour towards oneself), and executive function (actions taken on oneself to change future behaviour).

Each of these five executive abilities develops sequentially over time, with the first appearing at around 3 months of age and the final one reaching maturity around 30 years old.

ADHD is characterized by a 30-40% lag in this development, leading to difficulties with:

• Controlling impulses and responding to immediate rewards over delayed gratification.

• Using past experiences (hindsight) to inform future decisions (foresight).

• Self-regulating behavior through internal rules and language.

• Generating multiple solutions and planning for the future.

This inability to "look ahead" and organize for the future is what the speaker argues makes ADHD an "intention deficit disorder."

People with ADHD struggle to maintain goals and organize their behavior across time, leading to difficulties with planning, time management, and following through on tasks.