This is part 1 of a 2 part series.
(Meant to read part 2 instead? CLICK HERE) Recently I was enjoying a candid conversation with an acquaintance and we were mutually observing how full of energy and life my son is. And he really is. He’s energetic, he’s passionate, he is curious about everything, he’s bright. I went on to share that he’s actually been diagnosed with ADHD, to which this gentleman promptly responded, “NONSENSE!” – going on to suggest that there’s really no such thing as ADHD.
I understand that this is a view held by some people but, frankly, I find that kind of blunt reaction annoying, as I’m sure any parent would who has been on the same journey. But, alas, it wasn’t a battle that I was willing to fight at the time so I laughed him off and briefly responded that I actually do think the diagnosis is a legitimate thing. Interestingly, however, his remark represents the unarticulated question mark that seems to hang over so many interactions wherein ADHD is the topic of conversation.
The fact is, our journey toward reaching this particular conclusion about Ethan has been long, difficult, and it’s one that has involved so much thought and prayer and discussion and learning. So many perspectives have informed the decisions we’ve made: from deciding that we believe that ADHD is real, to the decision to have him assessed, to our acceptance of the diagnosis. Each of these issues has been rigorously processed and put through myriad filters, both professional (conversations with teachers and physicians, reading reputable books and other content) and personal (time in prayer and in discussion with people who know us all well, as well as – importantly! – our own sense as his parents).
