| Having grown up with undiagnosed Attention Deficit | | | | their child's learning problems. |
| Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), I know how it feels to | | | | What I want to say to all parents is this: |
| be labeled "lazy" when you're really just fighting ADHD | | | | You know your child. You know whether he's being |
| and doing the best you can to fit your ADHD square | | | | lazy or really struggling. You may not know why. You |
| peg into the round hole of life. | | | | may not have an ADHD diagnosis to fall back on. You |
| I remember, as an ADD child, deciding I wouldn't write | | | | may not be an expert on ADHD or parenting. But you |
| my spelling words five times. I just didn't want to do it. | | | | know your kid and you love him. |
| To a kid with ADHD, that kind of work is just torture, | | | | Remember that, and seek out people who do know |
| and I quit doing it. | | | | and who can help. |
| I remember that ADHD experience because I failed | | | | It's frustrating and even infuriating to see a kid we |
| sixth grade spelling, though I went to the spelling bee as | | | | know is bright not living up to his potential. But think |
| champion for my class. | | | | about how frustrating it must be to the child, to know |
| I remember how painful it was when my parents, | | | | he's doing everything he knows how to do and just |
| who'd never heard of ADHD, called me lazy--and | | | | isn't making it. |
| meant it | | | | So think about that the next time your child seems to |
| I know how it feels to be the kid with ADHD. | | | | be "slacking off," and investigate whether there might |
| But I accused my ADHD son of laziness recently for | | | | be something going on related to his ADHD, if he's |
| not doing his work at school. Even though I know | | | | been diagnosed, or whether he might have ADHD, if |
| about ADHD. Even though I know what it's like. I forgot. | | | | he hasn't, and whether you should talk to a qualified |
| How much harder it must be for parents who don't | | | | professional about your son's difficulties. |
| understand ADHD and don't know what to do about | | | | |