What I Wished My Parents Knew About My ADHD

My parents are supportive of my ADHD now but they haven't always been.  My parents got me diagnosed formally at 8 and never followed thru with treatment.  It wasn't till I was getting into minor car accidents because I got so distracted that my dad took my diagnosis and me to a crisis center to be put on ADHD medication.  

I NEEDED MEDICATION 

I needed medication to function.  With meds my life would have been different.  I wouldn't have struggled in school as much as I did with paying attention and making friends.  I would have been more organized.  Most importantly if my ADHD had been properly addressed and treated I probably wouldn't have developed a eating disorder.

I Should Have Been a C Student 

I was forced to study from an hour after I got home to an hour before bed.  I had to relearn everything I didn't pay attention to in school.  With this much studying my social skills suffered.  I didn't have as much time as other kids to play with my friends.  Even when I took a semester of college at 27 I had to study for countless hours at night.  I have made the decision not to ever to go back to college.  Too much money and time.

I was forced to do good in school and attend college.  I wish my parents wouldn't have made me study as much as I did.  They should have just let me study for a few hours a night and then spend time playing with other kids.





I needed to take my medication on my schedule not theirs 

My dad would insist I take my medication early in the morning and this would make me crash before I had to go into my shift at 4pm.  When your on ADHD medication you need to take it on your schedule not someone else's.

I can't pay attention when I want to!

My mom used to say I can pay attention when I wanted too.  This is so untrue.  I can't pay attention to anything without my medication.  I have tried in life so hard to focus without my medication but I have been unsuccessful.

I wish I wasn't constantly told to be quiet and I was too loud

Between my spectrum disorder and ADHD I have a hard time controlling my voice.  My mom told be it be better if I was quieter.  By 8th grade, I had become quiet.  By high school came I was very shy and barely talked.

I wish my parents didn't constantly critisize my personality 

When you constantly correct your childs behavior you are sending a very bad message.  You are telling a child that they cannot be themselves.  If your child is a loudmouth let them be a loudmouth!  Let your child be themselves.


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