A Family With ADD
When I was growing up in the 70's ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) didn't exist.
Children were expected to sit quietly in class.
Children who didn't sit and learn were considered "bad".
It never occurred to anyone at that time that these children had a real physiological problem.
If a child couldn't see the blackboard he got glasses.
If a child couldn't hear he got a hearing aid.
But if he couldn't sit still or learn he got punished.
I was one of these children with ADD.
I was not actually hyper (ADHD) - boys are more often ADHD than girls, but I was often impulsive (a characteristic of ADD) and would end up being the one to take the dare and pull the little prank on the teacher, often getting in trouble.
But now, I realize the extent of my ADD.
Children with ADD are not at all stupid.
They just have a hard time concentrating.
I was actually very good in math (pulled a 100 on each of my NY regents).
It seems to me that math is a different type of concentration.
It's more of an "active" concentration than listening to history or science.
In some ways, that actually worked against me.
The teachers really couldn't understand how such a "smart" kid could do so poorly in all her other subjects.
I obviously was fooling around and just not trying.
Now I know that my five children have ADD.
Things are very different.
Once your child is tested for ADD they are entitled to all the patience and understanding they need.
First there is this amazing drug called Ritalin (also comes under other names, such as Concerta, for longer doses).
This drug is amazing.
Once taken you can suddenly sit and concentrate.
Neurologists will do all sorts of tests to see if your child needs it but basically the simple test is to let the child read a page and write a few lines.
Then give them Ritalin, wait half an hour, have them read and write a page and see the difference.
When my daughter was in 10th grade, it had never occurred to us that she might have ADD.
She was a good girl, not just the best student.
When I met with her teacher she told me that she could not understand why my daughter didn't do well in certain classes.
She also said that even when they have special activities, like art or music, my daughter just fools around.
Some of the things she said really described me as a kid.
I went home and gave my daughter Ritalin for a week (I had it from some of my other kids who don't take it on the weekend).
After that week I got a call from the teacher.
She said that since our talk there has been an amazing improvement.
She was shocked when I confessed to the Ritalin.
Ritalin is not the panacea.
My children have ADD, not ADHD, which means I do not have a house of hyper kids.
Even when you take Ritalin you will still have to learn more ways about organizing your things.
That can mean organizing your books, your schedule, your room and your life.
No one takes Ritalin 24/7 so you have to learn how to act without it too.
You have to learn to be less impulsive and to take responsibility for your actions.
I know people are weary of taking all drugs, but I think that sending your child without Ritalin, if they need it, is like sending them without glasses, if they need them.
Children were expected to sit quietly in class.
Children who didn't sit and learn were considered "bad".
It never occurred to anyone at that time that these children had a real physiological problem.
If a child couldn't see the blackboard he got glasses.
If a child couldn't hear he got a hearing aid.
But if he couldn't sit still or learn he got punished.
I was one of these children with ADD.
I was not actually hyper (ADHD) - boys are more often ADHD than girls, but I was often impulsive (a characteristic of ADD) and would end up being the one to take the dare and pull the little prank on the teacher, often getting in trouble.
But now, I realize the extent of my ADD.
Children with ADD are not at all stupid.
They just have a hard time concentrating.
I was actually very good in math (pulled a 100 on each of my NY regents).
It seems to me that math is a different type of concentration.
It's more of an "active" concentration than listening to history or science.
In some ways, that actually worked against me.
The teachers really couldn't understand how such a "smart" kid could do so poorly in all her other subjects.
I obviously was fooling around and just not trying.
Now I know that my five children have ADD.
Things are very different.
Once your child is tested for ADD they are entitled to all the patience and understanding they need.
First there is this amazing drug called Ritalin (also comes under other names, such as Concerta, for longer doses).
This drug is amazing.
Once taken you can suddenly sit and concentrate.
Neurologists will do all sorts of tests to see if your child needs it but basically the simple test is to let the child read a page and write a few lines.
Then give them Ritalin, wait half an hour, have them read and write a page and see the difference.
When my daughter was in 10th grade, it had never occurred to us that she might have ADD.
She was a good girl, not just the best student.
When I met with her teacher she told me that she could not understand why my daughter didn't do well in certain classes.
She also said that even when they have special activities, like art or music, my daughter just fools around.
Some of the things she said really described me as a kid.
I went home and gave my daughter Ritalin for a week (I had it from some of my other kids who don't take it on the weekend).
After that week I got a call from the teacher.
She said that since our talk there has been an amazing improvement.
She was shocked when I confessed to the Ritalin.
Ritalin is not the panacea.
My children have ADD, not ADHD, which means I do not have a house of hyper kids.
Even when you take Ritalin you will still have to learn more ways about organizing your things.
That can mean organizing your books, your schedule, your room and your life.
No one takes Ritalin 24/7 so you have to learn how to act without it too.
You have to learn to be less impulsive and to take responsibility for your actions.
I know people are weary of taking all drugs, but I think that sending your child without Ritalin, if they need it, is like sending them without glasses, if they need them.
Source...