Parenting A Child with ADHD- Why I Finally Made the Decision
As a mother of a child with ADHD, I have learned how to not be quick to judge. I have truly learned the lesson "don't be quick to judge anyone until you've walked a mile in their shoes" the hard way.
Since 2nd grade, my son struggled in school and had to receive academic assistance. There were plenty of meetings about his behavior. My son was even evaluated by a psychiatrist. I just never considered my child to be slightly different from other kids. I always considered the term ADHD a term used by the school system, doctors, and drug companies to make money by over diagnosing and over prescribing children that had more energy than others. I also always believed that there were no such thing as ADHD. I mean when I grew up no kids were ever diagnosed with ADHD. It was called get in line or be put in punishment. I also knew that boys were rough, hyper, clumsy, and careless.
Well, all of that went out the window a month ago. I was really fed up with why my child consistently bringing bad grades home, having bad days at school, and being a compulsive liar. No matter how much tutoring, trips to the library, and other supplemental resources, my son did not get better. After coming to grips with my pride, I took the plunge and made an appointment for a behavior evaluation at our family doctor. At this appointment I felt a little relieved because my son will finally get the help that he has been longing to receive. The diagnosis brought clarity to so many questions. Inside the doctors office, the doctor made me feel great about this decision it was very scary realizing that without the proper health my son could grow up and bean even worse danger to himself and people around him. An example was how will I feel if I let my son get behind the steering wheel of an vehicle if he could not focus long enough to pay attention to his surroundings? The doctor also compared ADHD to having high blood pressure. If you were diagnosed with high blood pressure would you not take your medication?
My decision was made out of love for my child because without medication and other help my son can't focus long enough to understand a book once its completed, my son can't focus on the task needed to be completed, my son can't function during the day because he is constantly thinking of other things. Without them, my son is more likely to abuse drugs and be a school dropout as an adolescent.
Yes, some children are just more hyper and outgoing as others. Yes, some children are misdiagnosed with ADHD.
Some children, are not. There is a such thing as ADHD and I am a witness.
Since 2nd grade, my son struggled in school and had to receive academic assistance. There were plenty of meetings about his behavior. My son was even evaluated by a psychiatrist. I just never considered my child to be slightly different from other kids. I always considered the term ADHD a term used by the school system, doctors, and drug companies to make money by over diagnosing and over prescribing children that had more energy than others. I also always believed that there were no such thing as ADHD. I mean when I grew up no kids were ever diagnosed with ADHD. It was called get in line or be put in punishment. I also knew that boys were rough, hyper, clumsy, and careless.
Well, all of that went out the window a month ago. I was really fed up with why my child consistently bringing bad grades home, having bad days at school, and being a compulsive liar. No matter how much tutoring, trips to the library, and other supplemental resources, my son did not get better. After coming to grips with my pride, I took the plunge and made an appointment for a behavior evaluation at our family doctor. At this appointment I felt a little relieved because my son will finally get the help that he has been longing to receive. The diagnosis brought clarity to so many questions. Inside the doctors office, the doctor made me feel great about this decision it was very scary realizing that without the proper health my son could grow up and bean even worse danger to himself and people around him. An example was how will I feel if I let my son get behind the steering wheel of an vehicle if he could not focus long enough to pay attention to his surroundings? The doctor also compared ADHD to having high blood pressure. If you were diagnosed with high blood pressure would you not take your medication?
My decision was made out of love for my child because without medication and other help my son can't focus long enough to understand a book once its completed, my son can't focus on the task needed to be completed, my son can't function during the day because he is constantly thinking of other things. Without them, my son is more likely to abuse drugs and be a school dropout as an adolescent.
Yes, some children are just more hyper and outgoing as others. Yes, some children are misdiagnosed with ADHD.
Some children, are not. There is a such thing as ADHD and I am a witness.
Free Printable Lunchbox Encouragement Cards
I can't wait to start using these free lunchbox encouragement cards for my son. You can get get yours here.
National Aviation Day-August 19, 2013
August 19th is National Aviation Day. The holiday was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of Orville Wright birthday in 1939. This holiday was created for Americans to remember our country's aviation history.
In honor of National Aviation Day my kids made paper airplanes and learned the history behind this holiday. Fun ideas for kids on this national holiday is
- Fly paper planes. Learn to make paper planes like the ones my kids made today from fun paper airplanes.
- Visit an airport to look at the planes take off and land. Here in Charlotte we have an airport outlook.
- Learn about aerodynamics from this cartoon.
Free Printable Prayer Prompt Cards for Kids
Are you in the process of teaching your kids how to pray or improving your prayer life?
Download this free printable prayer prompt cards for kids.