“My Life With ADHD”

    When I was younger, I kept getting in trouble at school. My teachers said I was too distracting to other kids. They made charts about my behavior. Every day, I’d have to take them home to my mom. It made me dread school.

    I didn’t mean to be bad. I wasn’t mean or sneaky. I just had so many questions. And I hated sitting still!

    At home, I could play with LEGO™ sets or other toys when I had a lot of energy. But at school, I had no way to let that energy out. It seemed like everything I did was against the rules.

    Growing up, I was constantly getting in trouble at school. My teachers said I was too distracting to other students. They even created charts about my behavior. Every day, I’d have to take them home to my mom. It made me dread going to school. 

    Mostly I was just confused, because I never misbehaved intentionally. I knew I wasn’t a mean kid or a sneaky kid. I just had tons of questions, and I hated sitting still!

    At home, I could play with LEGO™ sets or other toys when I had a lot of energy—but at school, I had no acceptable way to let excess energy out. Everything I did always seemed to be against the rules.

    By second grade, my behavior had not changed. So I went to a child therapist for tests. For four hours, I played games and did math problems. The therapist watched me.

    The tests showed that I had something called attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s a medical condition that affects the brain. People with ADHD often have a hard time paying attention. They may also struggle to control their behavior.

    At first, I didn’t understand. But as I got older, it started to make sense. I finally had a name for the challenges I faced.

    When I still hadn’t outgrown my distracting behaviors by second grade, I went to a child therapist for tests. For four hours, I played games and did math problems while the therapist watched. 

    The results of the tests showed that I had something called ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), a medical condition that affects the brain. People with ADHD often have difficulty paying attention. They may also struggle to control their behavior. 

    I didn’t really understand at the time, but it started to make sense as I got older. I finally had a name for the challenges I had been facing my whole life.

    Soon I learned that all people with ADHD face different obstacles. Some have a hard time controlling their impulses. For me, that meant talking in class when I was supposed to be listening.

    ADHD can make it hard to focus too. Everyone’s mind wanders once in a while. But for someone with ADHD, it can feel nearly impossible to complete a math problem or homework assignment.

    Even getting ready for school can be hard. If you don’t have ADHD, it may be a pain to pack your bag, grab an umbrella, and lock the door. But if you have ADHD, you may need a lot of reminders and checklists to get it all done.

    Soon I learned that all people with ADHD face different obstacles. Some have trouble controlling their impulses. For me, that often looked like talking in class when I was supposed to be listening.

    ADHD can also affect a person’s ability to concentrate. Sure, everyone’s mind wanders occasionally—but for someone with ADHD, it can feel nearly impossible to complete a math problem or homework assignment. 

    Even getting ready for school can be difficult. If you don’t have ADHD, it may be annoying to pack your bag, grab an umbrella, and lock the door. But if you have ADHD, you may need a lot of reminders and checklists just to get it all done.

    In the years since I found out I have ADHD, I’ve learned ways to cope. One thing that helps is art. When I’m drawing and making crafts, my mind feels calm. It also boosts my confidence to see that I can focus and finish something that I start. 

    I also love doing yoga, working out with my mom, and going for walks with my dogs. All of these activities are healthy ways to let off extra energy. And I see my therapist once a month. It helps to have someone to talk to.  

    But even with these coping skills, school has always been hard. That’s why last year, my mom and I decided to try homeschooling. It turns out, I’m much better at learning at home! I can sleep later, and feeling rested helps me focus throughout the day.

    Over time, I’ve learned ways to cope. One thing that helps is art. When I’m drawing and making crafts, my mind feels calm. It also feels good to see that I can focus and finish what I start. 

    Other things help too. I do yoga. I work out with my mom. I take walks with my dogs. These are all healthy ways to let off extra energy. And I see my therapist once a month. It helps to have someone to talk to.  

    Still, school has always been hard. So last year, my mom and I decided to try homeschooling. It worked! I learn better at home. I can sleep later, and feeling rested helps me focus.

    In the years since I found out I have ADHD, I’ve learned ways to cope. One thing that helps is art. When I’m drawing and making crafts, my mind feels calm. It also boosts my confidence to see that I can focus and finish something that I start. 

    I also love doing yoga, exercising with my mother, and going for walks with my dogs. All of these activities are healthy ways to let off extra energy. And I see my therapist once a month. It helps to have someone to talk to.  

    But even with these coping skills, school has always been difficult. That’s why last year, my mother and I decided to try homeschooling. It turns out, I’m much better at learning at home! I can sleep later, and feeling rested helps me focus throughout the day.