Does having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder mean that a person has low intelligence?
No, having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) does not mean that a person has low intelligence.
While individuals with ADHD may experience learning difficulties, these challenges should not be confused with a deficit in intelligence. The classification of ADHD as a neurobiological disorder has been an important step in distinguishing the ability to pay attention or control impulses from other mental capacities, such as innate intelligence.12
Recognizing ADHD as a disorder helps ensure that individuals are not incorrectly dismissed as "slow" or "stupid." Instead, with appropriate management—which often includes medication and organizational techniques—people with ADHD can develop to the full extent of their intellectual potential.2