> When we start diagnosis a disorder notorious of lack of attention in people who demonstrate an abundance of attention, there's a problem.
Inattention in ADHD has always been the lack of ability to appropriately direct attention, not the absence of attention to anything.
While “hyperfocus” by name is a fairly recent association, at least as far back as the DSM III-R ADHD has included both tendency to be easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (inability to maintain appropriate attention) and that of not having attention drawn by stimulus that should draw it (appearing not to listen.)
Inattention in ADHD has always been the lack of ability to appropriately direct attention, not the absence of attention to anything.
While “hyperfocus” by name is a fairly recent association, at least as far back as the DSM III-R ADHD has included both tendency to be easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (inability to maintain appropriate attention) and that of not having attention drawn by stimulus that should draw it (appearing not to listen.)
Hyperfocus is simply the latter.