Research Proposal: The Impact of Being Labeled ADHDAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder that impacts nearly every aspect of my life. According to “A Shared Focus” individuals who suffer from ADHD generally have difficulty paying attention and staying focused on the task, feel the need to always move, make irrational decisions because “they often think and act impulsively” (Shire, 2012, p. 1). Individuals with attention problems are part of a rapidly expanding social group with unique needs within an educational context. ADHD is usually presented as a hot-button issue due to its tendency to be overdiagnosed, but perhaps the most overlooked issue related to ADHD is the social exclusion and acceptance by teachers and peers that stems from a lack of understanding of what ADHD really is. come on, I never thought I would be diagnosed with ADHD. During my first years of school no problems arose. But as the classes became more difficult and challenging, my symptoms became more noticeable and were no longer bearable. It was at that moment that I knew I had to get tested for ADHD. The diagnosis allowed me to regain focus in class, but it also significantly changed my life in ways I never anticipated. Even though nothing physically changes after being diagnosed with this disorder, the way people perceive you changes. Labeling theory suggests that “labels produce stigma by altering the perceptions of others and legitimizing stratification” (Shifrer, 2013, p.464). Receiving a label can lead people to have preconceived notions and develop premature attributions of your behaviors and personality. Shifrer explains in his article that teachers and peers will “lower the…center of the paper…frustration and discouragement (Parker, 2014). Works Cited Bellanca, F., & Pote, H. (2013). Children's attitudes toward ADHD, depression, and learning disabilities. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs,13(4), 234-241.Kent, E. (Editor) (2010). I can't do that but I can do that [episode of the television series]. Kent, E. (executive producer), HBO documentaries. HBO. Knowles, T. (2010). The guys behind the label: Understanding ADHD. EducationDigest, 76(3), 59.Shifrer, D. (2013). Stigma of a label: Educational expectations for high school students labeled with learning disabilities. Journal of Health and SocialBehavior, 54(4), 462-480. Shire US Inc. (2012). Understanding ADHD: A guide to help answer your questions. [Brochure]. Wayne, PA: Author Wechsler, D. (2008). Wechsler Scale of Adult Intelligence – Fourth Edition. San Antonio, TX: Pearson.