Imagine Who We Can Be – An Advocate
Guest author, Mavis Morse-Corman, an advocate’s response to an article published in The New York Times on April 13, 2025
The recent piece that was published on April 13th by Paul Tough titled “Have We Been Thinking About ADHD All Wrong?” was not only poorly researched (relying solely on old/debunked information, not actually interviewing the experts quoted, and cherry picking details from quotes), it was also extremely irresponsible to publish this piece during a time when our government is spreading rampant misinformation about ADHD and other mental health conditions and when treatment for people with these life-altering conditions is in danger of not being made available at all.
As an adult with ADHD who has studied the condition thoroughly for the past 10 years and who benefits from both coaching, stimulant medications, talk therapy and workplace modifications, I can assert that Mr. Tough’s article did nothing to capture actual lived ADHD experience or to acknowledge that medication and a professional diagnosis DOES make a difference and is often life-changing for people who have access to that kind of support.
When a neurotypical person like Mr. Tough (especially when that person is not a doctor, psychiatric professional or someone with any understanding of the lived experience of ADHD) writes articles like this one, it only reinforces decades of stigma that neurodivergent people face. If someone like Mr. Tough notes that “more people are getting diagnosed with ADHD than ever before,” maybe it’s because of all the important work advocates for mental health have been doing to get people the care they need – and that’s something we should ALL be in support of.
It has been proven time and again that when mental health conditions are treated properly, society overall benefits in myriad ways – we save money on healthcare and social programs, we reduce the number of incarcerated people, we have higher graduation rates, people are able to work and live meaningful lives – the list goes on. We shouldn’t be moving BACKWARDS in care, we should be moving FORWARD and making the effort to replace old information with current, scientific facts (which there are plenty of to support ADHD treatments).
For example: This 3-part series of panel discussions by a committee of national experts (all esteemed medical providers) National Leadership Summit . Or, nationally-respected sources of information such as CHADD. Mr. Tough also failed to acknowledge that many world-renowned leaders in research and education such as John Hopkins University, SUNY and Harvard employ medical experts and perform studies on ADHD and related conditions. If this work isn’t important and is just a ploy to sell more pills, why can countless other sources (with much higher credentials & more experience than Mr. Tough) prove otherwise?
Not only this, I’m disappointed that The New York Times would publish this piece as an “article” and not what it actually is – a poorly thought-out opinion piece. I subscribe to The New York Times because I believe in the quality of your journalism, but pieces like this shake my confidence in your dedication to truth and advocacy for a more enlightened society – especially when it gets harder and harder to know where to turn for unbiased facts and responsible reporting.
Mavis is truly an advocate who is brave enough to be the light as the poem, The Hill We Climb, by Amanda Gorman describes.
“When the day comes, we step out of the shade,
Aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it,
For there is always light,
If only we’re brave enough to see it,
If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
Where are you dear friends brave enough to be the light? Just as Mavis was in being an advocate to challenge misinformation in The New York Times.
Imagine what is possible if more of us are brave enough to be the light!
