I wanted to post today about the acronym ADD/ADHD.

Since I am in the business of speaking with and working with families who have children with special needs, I see it far to often. You have seen it and may have even done it. A parent says that their chid has ADHD and eyes roll. WHY?

Many people, especialy those with children, feel that many parents use that acronym as an excuse. An excuse to put their kids on drugs because they can't control them. Some may have. But for the most part, not so true. Because of the chastizing that the general public displays about ADHD, many parents feel reluctant to say that their child has it, closing themselves off from needed support.

We have 3 children, 2 of which have a special need.

Our second child has Autism, diagnosed 4 years ago. He is moderately autistic, borderline severe. At almost 8 years old he is cognitively 2 or 3. However he is very smart and now has developed a sense of humor. He makes us laugh everyday. He has a severe speech delay and his potty training is coming along well. He walks on his toes almost exclusively and he chews everything. He goes through a lot of shirts. But aside from those autism things, for us his biggest issue is tantrums. Coming out of the blue and lasting for long peroids of time, until exhaustion. So you'd think I have a good understanding about "special needs."

Our oldest, 12 in June,  has always been difficult, moody and never thought about anything before she acted or spoke. I was having to keep on her daily about everything. I describe her brain as a hamster on a wheel. Constantly going, thinking, doing. She's a good kid. Very thoughtful of others. But all of her actions were holding her back. Her grades were slipping and the teachers were nearly fed up with her.

Still, even then, I was one of those judgemental people. I too rolled my eyes. But something was going on. It was time time that open my mind and look into the possibilites that was a reason.

She was diagnosed with ADD last year. I actually felt relieved to know that there was a reason why she would spend 10 minutes in the bathroom "brushing her teeth", only to find that she had not even turned the water on yet. Or why she had forgotten that she knew how to spell words she learned the year before.  

Yes she is on a medication. I am thankful for that because it has helped her tremendously. She is now an honor student. For her, the medication as given her the ability to think clearly, allowing herself to use her common sense. I am very proud of all of the hard work she has done!

I say ADD is a special need.  Some may not believe so because she is not in a wheel chair or because she is in an age appropriate class and it certainly is not autism. I am here to tell you that it is a special need. We spend as much time and energy with her as we do my autistic child. We still have to keep on her about getting her homework done or "yes you have wear your coat because it is 29 degrees outside."

Had I kept my mind closed to that diagnosis, my daughter for sure would not be doing as well as she is today.

I hope that I have given those who roll their eyes, another perspective. Please do not be so quick to judge, and ask if there is anything that you can do to help.