"talked about the differences in the brains of ADHD people vs. non-ADHD. It is a REAL thing. "
It absolutely is.
Problem is, the only way to absolutely verify that it really is ADHD is with a brain scan. There are clinics which are starting to do this.
"I do not subscribe to drug therapies for this problem so readily."
The brain is constantly re-wiring itself and changing itself based on environmental stimulus. It has the capability to overcome ADHD in all but the worse cases IM(NS)HO. But it takes a long time, alot of work, and it is just downright difficult to do. Most parents work two jobs and don't have time or training to try and help a child re-wire their brain over a significant period of time. It's easier to just give them some medication, and the meds look like a miracle drug.
The problem is that the kids never learn how to cope and they are sentenced to a lifetime of meds with serious side effects, not to mention the meds tend to rob them of their childhood.
For interesting reading on this subject, there's a book called "Social Intelligence". It's not about ADHD, it's about how the brain works.
It's nice to talk with someone who actually is intelligent on this subject. When my son was in 5th or 6th grade, he was literally in tears one time because he was so frustrated about having ADHD; I just told him he was going to have to work harder to accommodate the problems it causes. Later when he was a teen, I emphasized that many, many times. My advice was to accept it, work hard, and not use it as an excuse.