The Late ADHD Diagnosis of An American Girl | Gina Pera’s ADHD Roller Coaster
I recently received a message from a young person struggling with suspected ADHD. They reminded me a bit of myself at that age: a good student on paper who nonetheless knew something was wrong — and no one else understood.
Our conversation also reminded me of this essay I wrote several years ago. It feels especially relevant now, as many families (ours included) prepare for an indefinite period of 24/7 togetherness.
ADHD doesn’t predict one’s intelligence, nor does it always hit the report card the hardest. ADHDers are individuals with unique sets of innate talents and personality traits. For me, that meant I could mask my ADHD in my academic life, but it crippled my social and family relationships.
It’s so hard to believe kids with ADHD are trying their best and don’t want to be difficult. I expect many young ADHDers will spend the next few weeks in conflict with their parents, hearing that they “don’t care” or “are incapable of inconveniencing themselves for others” or “think they’re the only ones who don’t have to listen or follow directions.” Those without a diagnosis or ADHD-literate parents are in for an even tougher time.
I hope your family finds some peace in the coming weeks. If you’re struggling, or know someone who is, I hope this essay offers some perspective. ADHD’s effects extend so far beyond academics. Proper management of it isn’t just about grades, it’s about relationships — including the ones we might otherwise miss out on.
Wash Your Lyrics | William @ tired.io
I, like many parents, have spent the past month harping on the importance of proper hand-washing. Surely I’m not the only parent for whom this has resulted in a complete meltdown?
Last week I found this site, which allows you to generate a hand-washing infographic using the lyrics to pretty much any song (I’ve tried more than I’m willing to admit). I printed one out featuring Baby Shark and gave it to my kiddo the moment he walked in the door. To my surprise and delight, he spent at least the requisite 25 seconds scrubbing his hands and singing.
Most of us would love to believe things like logic and reason — or failing that, threats and personal attacks — will get through to our fellow humans. However, we can ill afford such idealism right now and I dare anyone not to have fun washing their hands to the tune of their favorite song.
The Calm of Everything as it Should Be | becoming minimalist
The quest for calm has defined much of the last several years for me. And yes, cultivating a calm environment is part of how I cope with and soothe my inner chaos.
The past week has imploded my usual routines and expectations. At first I tried to cram as much work in as possible before we entered our new normal. Then I put that work down and looked around the room. I went to work removing clutter from our home office, taming cable tangles, clearing desk surfaces. This was an effort to make room for my husband and son, who will be home with me for the foreseeable future, but also to trick my brain into thinking things are as they should be. There are still things I can control.
My next-door neighbor started sending out texts this weekend, asking if we had use for this or that item before she tossed it into a donation box. She, too, seems to be seizing this time at home to bring order to her home.
There are still things we can control. When we’re stuck in our homes indefinitely, we’d do well to remember our surroundings are one of those things. And they make a much bigger impact on our mental health than most of us give them credit for.
Frenzied, Frazzled, and Overwhelmed: The Interaction of Hormones and ADHD in Women in Midlife | CHADD
PSA: hormone levels can have a significant impact on women’s ADHD symptoms, and not just as we approach menopause. Fluctuations throughout our normal monthly cycle can make us feel great one week, and like we’re off our meds the next. This article has suggestions on how to cope, but the first and most important step is awareness: know your body, and be aware of how your physiology affects your cognitive function.
Camp Covid-19 begins: how our ADHD family is co-existing | The ADHD Homestead
A lot of people like me have posted helpful listicles and sample daily schedules, activity resources and links to streaming tours of museums and zoos.
I’m not going to do that. Not today, and probably not at any point during this whole ordeal. Instead I’m going to give you what I, as a parent living with my all-ADHD family all the time until the covid-19 quarantine/shutdown ends, want to see more of.
I’m going to share what’s actually happening.
Those aspirational “tips for surviving quarantine with your family” or fancy daily schedules won’t give me what I need. I need connection, stories, real life. I want to see the reality on the ground and know I’m not alone.
Click through to the post and join me in the comments there to let me know how you’re doing. Spoiler alert: it’s totally okay if you haven’t successfully implemented one of those color-coded schedules.
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