Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is something I do not give that much thought to. When I was in elementary school, they told my mother that I had ADHD and suggested medication. My mother did not put me on medication. Or hold me back in school for my learning disability as suggested by my teachers. As it was I graduated on time, went on to post-secondary school and became a professional Medical Lab Technologist.
Because I was diagnosed in the ’80s by my school, not a professional doctor. This has me wondering if my diagnosis is true today. I agree I was a hyper child, who could turn any food into lots of energy. And during elementary school, I was known as being a weird kid. I sang to myself, talked out loud to myself and had trouble grasping the learning lessons.
But in grade 10, I focused on getting good grades and completing all my maths and sciences to get a good job. My grades reflected my hard work, but I was only a 75 % average student. Still, I was considered the best of the best because I completed all the extra math and sciences classes.
Success Is Possible
This is all proof that I learned coping mechanisms around grade 10 for my ADHD. As I was unaware of how ADHD affects me, you used to assume I was dumb or that no one took the time to help me with schooling. This was a wrong assumption because my school provided one-on-one support, my mother helped me learn to expand my attention, and my grandmother helped me with reading and pronunciation.
Currently, I am seeing the same traits in my children and I am reliving the same trauma from my past. Lately, I find myself working harder to help them achieve balance quickly than I did. I am also exploring how ADHD is affecting my adult life, my parenting skills and my relationships. I never went around owning my ADHD and still, I would like to be re-diagnosed to prove to myself it is real.
As for now, I am exploring ADHD and figuring out how it played a part in my current life situation. I found a lovely podcast about adults with ADHD called, I Have ADHD with Kristen Carder.
Live Joy, Renee