Is it common to have ADHD without a learning disability?

I an a female adult who has ADHD; but, I have no learning disability and I am by no means "slow". In school, my teachers thought I was almost a genius, because my brain was constantly going at high speeds and on multiple topics. I could see how different things interrelated and put new perspective on topics that were being discussed (of course, they didn't realize I was also doing other things for other classes at the same time). Most people with ADHD are by no means "slow"; "slow" people rarely have ADHD - it is associated only with people who have above average IQ (over 100 and the higher the IQ the more likely a person has ADHD). I was not even recognized as having ADHD until my son was diagnosed as having it. Boys have a harder time coping with ADHD and he also has Asperger's (which we found his father has high level functioning Asperger's).

How do you know they do not have a LD? it could be that they do but that they are very high functioning, this could be the reason for being 'slow' there are different levels of learning disabilities, from very low functioning to very high functioning and being able to hold down a job. hope this is of so help.

Hello myempress, its really nice to meet you. With all due respect, any person should be considered "slow". There are high functioning adults and low functioning less successful people. In the same way there are people with adhd who are considered genius and very intelligent, and there are people with adhd who are not so intelligent but with proper therapy, they can function effectively in their life. But people should not be considered "slow" by their co workers and friends just because they have adhd. This is "labeling" I have read alot about adhd on Doctor Jane Maati Smith website. There are many therapies for adhd children and adults and they range from diet changes to music therapy and behavior modification. Doctor Jane Maati Smith proposes that music therapy can sound healing is an inexpensive self help technique that improves work performance, decision making and mood.One unique thing about Doctor Jane Maati Smith music therapy for adhd is its variety, Different music for different tastes. And no, most people with ADHD have no learning disability at all.

I am an adult with ADHD. This is a good question. Actually, the reason why ADHD is (by some) classified as a learning disability, is because typically people with ADHD struggle to operate and function in the same fashion as those without ADHD. They typically process information differently, and because there are few teachers equipped with the skills required to engage those with ADHD, it is given a negative connotation in that it is labeled a "disorder" and a "learning disability". I challenge that way of thinking. I feel generally - having been failed by the the public school system - that there is a much more prevalent teaching disability in the world as apposed to a learning disability. ADHD is a disorder because "our way" of being is in the minority. In order to submit and assimilate in the world, those of us with the "Divinci trait" are pretty much left in the cold, and told to get medicated. Why do we need to medicate?... Because we need to go to them; they won't come to us.... I failed two grades in school, and graduated in summer school with a 1.8 GPA. For the fun of it, I decided to submit to several IQ tests (which are also biased in their scope) about two or three years ago. I averaged at right around 160. Unfortunately for me, that silly number doesn't help my inner confidence because the world is still ill-equipped to function effectively for us... And being called stupid by my teachers and peers didn't help much either. My personal belief about the "learning disability" end of ADHD is that it is all contingent upon the nurturing that takes place in the crucial ages of development. I base that theory on my own personal experience and on the observed similar experiences of several of my friends who share the "Divinci trait" (ADHD) as well. Being "slow" is an attribute that has been incorrectly associated with ADHD since even before the first Attention Deficit diagnosis what made. There has never been any proof that there is any relationship between intelligence and ADHD. I truly appreciate your question, and I hope that I have contributed to your view of the condition in some way. :) Thank you for asking the tough question before making an offensive final judgment. You did the right thing :)