To just ask for really lovely ADHD success stories

[CallMeMousie]

I know IABU really but my mind is all over the place with What Ifs and worst case scenarios. DS (8) just got diagnosed with ADHD. He's quirky, funny and smart but really falling behind at school and struggling with a lot of things.

AIBU to just ask for really lovely uplifting stories about people or DC with ADHD who have done really well? Or who started medication (currently trying to decide) and whose lives became magically better?

@Wednesdaysotherchild I’d argue that if studies suggest that at the very most 50% of children grow out of ADHD (but like fewer) then it would be more accurate to say some children do rather than many. Many others may find it easier to use strategies that mitigate the effects of ADHD as they get older, rather than not having it at all.

It’s harmful to adults who are struggling to manage the condition to have the myth that it’s something that only affects children out there. Women, historically under diagnosed, particularly find it challenging to be understood when the popular perception of ADHD is small boys who can’t stop running around. A staggering number of people in the criminal justice system are neurodiverse, but have not had the right support growing up.

I too think it's so much about getting right fit. Boring bits of my job are extricating. I really struggle. But give me a total incident mgt crisis situation and no one deals with it better. I am constantly on the go with new projects. I was never great with actually playing with my kids as I find it boring, but I'm happy to ferry them around to hundreds of activities they want to do. Love taking them to events or trips like london as I enjoy it too.

@CallMeMousie I highly recommend reading up on a lot of experiences and things like this post. As a kid I remember having so much energy I felt like a fizzed up bottle of coke. I was able to focus in the last few weeks on GCSE & A levels as I decided I wanted to go uni.
I wish I'd learnt earlier to give up things that I found boring & channel my energy better. I'm more like that with my DC. I want them to try loads of things but won't argue if they want to drop things they find boring

its Autism awareness day today , a small bit on R2 earlier

aaaah lovely. :)

FWIW I will shoehorn in an anecdote.

When we first started clap for carers it coincided with Autism awareness day. So DS (ASD and ADHD) was nearly 10.

After about 9 months of Thursday clap for carers he made the throwaway commnet; 'Isn't it nice that we clap for Autism awareness day every week?'.

@CallMeMousie I’m reading this a year after you posted and I’m so grateful! Exactly what I needed to see today. And thank you to everyone who posted.

@stillsleeptraining I've been back to this thread more than once in the last year too, I find it so reassuring and positive!

FWIW, we did start medication over the summer and it made a huge difference academically, he's able to learn at school now and doesn't have meltdowns there any more. We don't medicate at home and he can still be challenging but is generally a lovely and happy boy. Lots still ahead of us but I feel more positive than I did this time last year!

Lovely update.

Yours was lovely so I'll give mine. Last time I wrote that DD had found her people, which was a huge achievement.

Recently she's gone from 'not meeting expectations' in every report to 'meeting expectations' last two years to a few 'exceeding expectations' this year. She's training herself to wait for the dopamine hit of academic achievement, the little weirdo

It's been a long road of sadness after reports and sad parents' evenings and sad everything, putting a brave face on.

All the best OP.

Diagnosed when I was 42. Now 61. Long career in criminal investigations. Has suited my down to the ground. Also that I have had 30+ years with a disability positive employer . Son also has ADHD and despite it taking a little while and a good try at a few things since leaving school as soon as he could get away.. he is now a very successful chef.

Find an ADHD persons thing and they are away