Ask someone with A.D/H.D.

Many times people who have ADHD have no idea what their problem is until they meet someone else who has been “lived” throught what they are going through. I have lived with ADHD my whole life and I didn’t understand what the problem was until a few years ago…put it this way I am a latebloomer…it took me 43 years to get to where you are now…Now I am like a convert; I have seen the “light” and want to help others such as yourself. But sometimes it sure is hard when they aren’t ready to be “enlightened”, but I have to patiently respect where they are and let them find their way on their own… I know I was one of the “unenlightened” ones for years….until I finally understood that what I was experiencing was ADHD through a college lecture about ADD. And it was another “latebloomer” who told me that she had just been diagnosed with ADD and she was embarrased. Now…we both understand each other as no one else can due to our experiences…

Hi Mike ,
I am currently enrolled in the Educational Assistant Program at St.Lawrence College in Cornwall, and I am doing a project proposal on ADHD children. I am generating a program of a resource manual for other Educational Assistants who plan to work in this field. I was wondering if you could please help me in finding out what were some of the things that maybe could have been implemented in how you were taught as a child. What are some of the things that helped you and didn’t help you. I would really appreciate your feedback on this thank you so much…..you can reply to me at [email protected]
-Stephanie Leblanc

You’re right. Years ago recall reading an autobiography book about adult ADHD - inattentive type - with an unusual title - How to Cure Hyperactivity (1981) by C. Thomas Wild and Anita Uhl Brothers, M.D. It was available through the non-profit Learning Disabilities Association of America. The book
did exactly what you say: it presented ADHD from the point-of-view of a real person with ADHD vs say an ADHD-free physician or ADHD-free psychologist who tends to try to tell the world what ADHD is like when they do not have ADHD themselves at all. Good luck.

–

Mike Stephen wrote:
>
> Most people ask their Dr’s. about A.D/H.D. but the people who
> have it can give you more help then anyone. I’ve written a
> story about what it’s like to grow up with it to help other’s
> find what their looking for. I’m trying to get it published
> now.

Hi Mike,
I too grew up with undiagnosed severe ADHD and four specific Learning Disabilities. I finally was diagnosed at 40, and that was 7 years ago. I too am using my life experiences as the basis for my doctorate. I am a special ed teacher, 7, 8, and 9th grade, severe behavior disordered students. I love them. We see our disabilities as gifts now. Good luck
Katherine