What does it feel like to have ADHD? Percy Jackson from The Lightning Thief have ADHD, and his choices are influenced heavily by it. Some ways he is influenced by ADHD are his study habits and self-control, but those areas can be improved.
Percy’s study habits are impacted by his ADHD, although it can be improved if his interests are mentioned. On page 2 of the book, Percy described Mr. Brunner as “the only teacher whose class didn’t put him to sleep”. According to Neurodiversity: A Different View of ADHD, one of the symptoms of ADHD is not listening most of the time. This proves that one of the reasons he doesn’t do well in school is his ADHD. Another piece of evidence is on page 17 of the book, when his grades slipped “from Ds to Fs”. Again, the author of the article wrote that “Getting easily distracted… Are also symptoms”. Getting easily distracted might be a reason why his grades fell. Both reasons of his inefficiency to studying is caused by a lack of focus. Therefore, a solution to his ADHD would be to give him something to focus on. According to Neurodiversity, people with ADHD can be very focused when something interests them, so a solution could be to mention something he is interested in, such as Greek mythology. That way, he could be focused in school and learn supported and better.
Another way Percy is influenced by ADHD is when he tries to control himself. Self-control shouldn’t be a problem, however, if he thinks before he acts. One example of him not thinking before he acts is on page 5, in the museum tour, where he tells Nancy Bobofit to shut up. According to Neurodiversity, blurting out is a symptom of ADHD, which means that ADHD is one reason he told Nancy to shut up. Another example of when ADHD controls Percy is when he snapped and called Mr. Nicoll, his English teacher, an old sot. He was annoyed, frustrated, and therefore did not think before he talked. This led to him being expelled from Yancy Academy. One way with which Percy could better control himself is to think before he acts, and not let his ADHD and temper control him.
In conclusion, Percy Jackson’s ADHD influences his study habits and choice-making. However, both problems can be solved by giving his something to focus on and if he thinks before he acts.
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