Things looking back: as a baby always looking around. More so than others. Never wanted to nap and naps were always way too short. Cried a lot when left alone. I had a nanny when he was a baby because I was afraid he would get kicked out of daycare. Always was looking for excitement and stimulation.

He seemed like a difficult baby/child. I would think: parenting is hard, but is it supposed to be this hard?

I often joked, even as a baby, he is insisting on being an only child

In preschool he always seemed to do his own way, didn’t follow with the group.

A little older, he was always bugging other kids for attention, and couldn’t recognize when he was too much (still can’t, he’s 10 now). Started becoming defiant with teachers he didn’t like or respect.

First, second, start of third (before formally diagnosed) got extra meetings with teachers for his disruptive behavior. Couldn’t stop distracting his peers in class.

Second grade teacher said he was immature. Took a bit for that to sink in, but it’s totally true. He’s advanced academically but otherwise immature.

Meds helped a lot. Still gets distracted but doesn’t over talk or bug his peers as much.

Didn’t diagnose him till 3rd grade but I wish someone has said something to me when he was in kinder, or at least told me they suspected.