What ADHD Really Looks Like: Facts, Feelings, and Forward Steps
I always thought ADHD was only something that made it more difficult for someone to focus their attention to a task and that taking a pill would make it better for them to function.
I was SO wrong! Struggling with attention and focus are two things that are involved with ADHD, but it is so much more than that.
It took having a close connection (our family dynamic) to ADHD that made me start to understand. Before my son was diagnosed at age 6, I knew something was different for him. I had my suspicions that he had ADHD, and so I started researching it every night as I sat on his bed and waited for him to fall asleep. I just wanted to be educated about what he was experiencing, and what I needed to do to find help, because let’s be real- we were struggling.
It took several hours over several days to find a provider covered under his insurance and who evaluated children his age. There were many providers that could treat for ADHD, but very few I found could actually do the evaluation to have him assessed. Then it took several months to get the appointment with the provider, a neuropsychologist.
Meanwhile, we were struggling with aggression, tantrums, elopement, and task refusal at home, school and aftercare. It felt like my son was living in a different world. We would say his name to ask him a question, and he would not respond anymore unless we were face to face with him, making sure he had eye contact with us.
Every morning was a struggle to get him dressed and ready for the day. Every morning, I heard the words, “I can’t, my stomach hurts, my head hurts, I can’t go to school, I’m sick”. Even with our help, we still struggled to get him to sit up and get dressed. I had to help him walk from point A to B around the house in the morning to get ready. In the evenings, we would experience a lot of silliness, running around the house trying to hide and laughing when it was time to take a bath, brush teeth and get into pajamas. He was restless at bed- time, and it took a while for him to fall asleep.
Once we had the diagnosis, we were able to start treatment. From a local support team through the school, family therapy, individual cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, multiple supplements, then multiple medications, endless meetings at school to set up a 504 plan and evaluate for
an IEP, I FINALLY feel we are on a right track for a successful experience.
ADHD is a mental disorder and also considered neurodiverse. Being neurodivergent is a non-medical term that means that one’s brain works differently, and information is processed differently. Accepting neurodiversity is a positive way to adapt challenges with acceptable accommodations for success.
Do you or anyone you live with have ADHD? What are your daily challenges? What accommodations have you tried that has helped you be more successful?
I’d love to hear your story and connect with you!
