Michael Phelps

ADHD made schoolwork difficult for

Phelps when he was little. He liked to
move, acted up in class, and had a hard
time getting his work finished. Phelps was
diagnosed with ADHD at age 9.

Medication made his symptoms better, but

it was in the pool that Phelps found the
ability to deal with his disorder. The
routine of practice and the soothing
effects of the water helped him to cope
and excel.
 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder.
This means there are deficits in the ADHD
brain that affect a child’s development.
ADHD does not influence intelligence. It
does, however, affect a person's ability to
regulate attention and emotions, and it results
in hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as
organization problems.
What happens chemically in the brain of
someone with ADHD?
 Studies show that brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters,
don't work the same in children and adults with ADHD. There
also tend to be differences in the way nerve pathways work.
 Certain parts of the brain may be less active or smaller in
children with ADHD than those without the disorder.
 The brain chemical dopamine, which carries signals between
nerves in the brain and is linked to movement, sleep, mood,
attention, and learning, may also play a role.