I am reading a book right now that has COMPLETELY changed the way I view ADHD. The long title is The Edison Gene ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child, by Thom Hartmann. His view is founded in numerous scientific studies that have isolated one of the genes responsible for ADHD, which is the gene our Hunting and Gathering ancestors possessed. The impulsivity, impatience, difficult following directions, lack of awareness, ect... were once strong traits that made Hunters successful and more adaptable then their "Farming" neighbors. This is one of my favorite quotes from the book, "The gene for wanderlust, adventure, and innovation is relatively rare, carried by fewer than 10 percent of the population. But it's incredibly valuable, and it's even possible that one day the survival of the human race will depend on it. It certainly has in the past."
I recommend that anyone that has ADHD or is a caregiver to someone that does, read this book! He also goes into ways to nature our Edison gene (or Hunters) childen.