[ChancyChance]

One of the claims about attention disorders IIRC is that it only affects thing people having to do things they don’t like. Which seems a bit sketchy to me so I probably am misunderstanding but the idea is even kids with adhd can play Minecraft for a day straight because they like it but can’t do math.

[ksaun]

The term "attention deficit disorder," as I understand it, is a bit misleading.

Attention disorders are about a deficiency in executive function, including a reduced ability to control one's attention (as opposed to just being a lack of attention). When disinterested, this leads to an inability to focus/concentrate. When it's something you like, this leads to "hyperfocus," whereby it's tough to pull away and behavior can be obsessive/addictive in nature. This latter symptom seems to receive less attention (edit: no pun intended :)). (And individuals and specifics differ.)

This is an oversimplification and I'm being a little loose with the vocabulary, but I wanted to at least briefly comment on the perceived "sketchiness" you mention.

[dragonwriter]

> One of the claims about attention disorders IIRC is that it only affects thing people having to do things they don’t like.

AIUI, this is a very common but false belief; it is in part based on hyperfocus being a common feature of ADHD, but hyperfocus on something isn’t (though its often mistaken for) liking it. (It’s also probably based in part on “activities” that are themselves tolerant of lack of consistent focus and task switching.)

[addled]

Anecdotal counter-example: yeah my ADHD son can play Minecraft for a couple hours straight, but if you watch he's constantly switching tasks.

I love spending time with him on our home server, but trying to keep up with him is sometimes just as frustrating as helping him with math homework.