ADHD and the Edison Gene: A Drug-Free Approach to Managing the Unique Qualities of Your Child

by Thom Hartmann

Explores how the ADHD gene is and has been critical to humanity’s development

• Shows how artists, inventors, and innovators carry the gene necessary for the future survival of humanity

• Explains why children with this gene are so often mislabeled in public schools as having a disorder

• Offers concrete strategies for helping children reach their full potential

In ADHD and the Edison Gene , Thom Hartmann shows that the creativity, impulsiveness, risk taking, distractibility, and novelty seeking that are characteristic of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are not signs of a disorder at all but instead are components of a highly adaptive skill set utilized by our hunting and gathering ancestors. These characteristics have been critical to the survival and development of our modern civilization and will be vital as humanity faces new challenges in the future.

Hartmann, creator of the “hunter versus farmer” theory of ADHD, examines the differences in neurology between people with ADHD and those without, sharing recent discoveries that confirm the existence of an ADHD gene and the global catastrophe 40,000 years ago that triggered its development. He cites examples of significant innovators with ADHD traits, such as Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison, and argues that the children who possess the ADHD gene have neurology that is wired to give them brilliant success as artists, innovators, inventors, explorers, and entrepreneurs.

Emphasizing the role that parents and teachers can play in harnessing the advantages of ADHD, he shares the story of how Edison was expelled from school for ADHD-related behavior and luckily his mother understood how to salvage his self-esteem and prepare him for a lifetime of success. Offering concrete strategies for nurturing, educating, and helping these children reach their full potential, Hartmann shows that rather than being “problems” such children are a vital gift to our society and the world.

Genres: Adhd, Psychology, Parenting, Nonfiction, Science

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2015

About the author

Thomas Carl Hartmann is an American radio personality, author, businessman, and progressive political commentator. Hartmann has been hosting a nationally syndicated radio show, The Thom Hartmann Program, since 2003 and hosted a nightly television show, The Big Picture, between 2010 and 2017.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe reading this book in the middle of a global health pandemic wasn't the best idea, but here we are. I definitely appreciated the positive approach to ADHD, however I had a few issues with the section on television (considering the current circumstances with trying to school at home while also working my job from home, it stung a little but there's not a lot I can really do to control the current situation). I also felt like the overall approach to treating ADHD without medication added even more to the many duties of women, who tend to be the primary caretakers of children and end up with the majority of the mental load, and at one point remarked aloud, "This book was definitely written by a man!" However, overall, I thought the information was good, and the take on ADHD was positive. It was helpful to be reassured that my child is not broken, and maybe someday he'll even change the world.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had some interesting (read: relavent) chapters, but a lot of it seemed unnecessary at best or off topic at worst. The first half of the book focuses on the author’s idea of “hunter versus farmer” and spends quite a bit of time on the geographic history of the earth (ice ages, Great Conveyer Belt, etc.) which I could’ve done without. The second half gets more into how the education system is messed up and it’s easier to put kids with ADHD on medications than change the system. He gives some good, easily usable ideas on raising kids with ADHD. However, there was a focus on homeschooling or private school, and how public schools suck, which I imagine is in part to promote the private school that he founded.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hartmann proposes that the traits associated with ADHD, e.g. novelty-seeking, impulsivity, and risk-taking, although viewed as liabilities in an agricultural society, once served the "hunter" well (hence his term "hunter gene"). As of 2015, forty-nine different genes have been associated with ADHD traits (the main gene being DRD4, which affects how the brain responds to dopamine), and studies have found “positive selection” for some of these genes. Hartmann argues that the unique gifts of people with these traits should be nurtured. This is a far-reaching book that really made me think and gave some credence to my sense that compulsory public education isn't the best fit for everyone.

[Kristin Schumacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives parents, teachers, and caregivers a different and more constructive way to view neurodiverse children.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting perspective that included a lot of information. However, the subtitle was a little misleading, there are plenty of tips but I was hoping for more details.

[Stevie Deal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was largely exactly the same as the author's same book entitled Edison Gene

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't finished it but I've read and appreciate quite a lot. I don't agree with everything but I think there is much of value here.

[Johnie Saas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative read, just not in the way I expected. More of an anthropological take on ADHD not really a how-to guide with tips on helping your child with ADHD.

[Gem ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book 5 years ago! Perfectly written in a way that's informative and detailed but easy to digest,this book accurately (in my opinion) portrays the battles high energy ,creative children experience both in school and in society and competently links their skills to past and future evolution of the human race; explaining how nurturing their differences and socialising them to control their skills helps much better than the typical drugs route (often one of the few treatments offered at diagnosis). This book provided me with a lot of clarification on my own experiences of raising a child with an ADHD diagnosis and how to best nurture and support them to be happy, confident & creative individuals. Well worth a read!