I have ADHD, and this was my childhood. But I also learned some important coping methods, like how to mask. Given how resistant I am to learning behaviors like that, I’m not sure I could have done it without a struggle. Meanwhile the kids who were diagnosed had a stigma on them that I’m glad I was able to avoid.
My parents did their best with what they knew. I’ve got bad memories and good ones, just like every person ever.
With that said, we’ve decided to hold off on having my daughter tested, even though she’s showing some symptoms. If she has it, I don’t want that to be part of her identity until it has to be. If she starts struggling, we’ll take action. Until then, it’s best not to burden her.
We also got extremely lucky with her first grade teacher. She started the year with a very traditional, veteran teacher. Her seating arrangement changed three times in a month because, according to her, the other kids kept talking. But then the school said they had too many kids in the first grade classes, so they started a new class of just 13 students and moved my daughter. The teacher is brand new, just recently certified.
My daughter came home talking about how they constantly do “brain breaks” in between lessons, and other unusual things.
We went to the parent teacher conference, and this teacher is the most ADHD woman I’ve ever met. We did a one-on-one meeting that lasted two hours. And she’s wonderful. She’s the best thing that could have happened to our daughter. She approaches everything in a way that’s perfectly tailored to someone with ADHD, and it sounds like the other kids love it too.
I have ADHD, and this was my childhood. But I also learned some important coping methods, like how to mask. Given how resistant I am to learning behaviors like that, I’m not sure I could have done it without a struggle. Meanwhile the kids who were diagnosed had a stigma on them that I’m glad I was able to avoid.
My parents did their best with what they knew. I’ve got bad memories and good ones, just like every person ever.
With that said, we’ve decided to hold off on having my daughter tested, even though she’s showing some symptoms. If she has it, I don’t want that to be part of her identity until it has to be. If she starts struggling, we’ll take action. Until then, it’s best not to burden her.
We also got extremely lucky with her first grade teacher. She started the year with a very traditional, veteran teacher. Her seating arrangement changed three times in a month because, according to her, the other kids kept talking. But then the school said they had too many kids in the first grade classes, so they started a new class of just 13 students and moved my daughter. The teacher is brand new, just recently certified.
My daughter came home talking about how they constantly do “brain breaks” in between lessons, and other unusual things.
We went to the parent teacher conference, and this teacher is the most ADHD woman I’ve ever met. We did a one-on-one meeting that lasted two hours. And she’s wonderful. She’s the best thing that could have happened to our daughter. She approaches everything in a way that’s perfectly tailored to someone with ADHD, and it sounds like the other kids love it too.
So maybe we’ll have her tested next year.