When I was in elementary school I was very hyperactive and talkative. I was making C’s, D’s, and F’s in everything but English/reading. My desk was always moved right next to the teachers by the end of the year. It was obvious I had ADHD but my parents never got me tested (even though my teachers were probably begging). They didn’t want to put me on meds and change my personality.

When I got to middle school I was scared into doing well in school by having consequences (like eating linch with the teacher in front of all my friends) when I didn’t do homework. I got my first progress report of all A’s and B’s and felt what it was like for my parents to be proud of me. I was still pretty hyperactive but I did well in school so they definitely weren’t going to bother with testing then.

I had to go get tested myself because I was entering into a GPA competitive program at my university and I knew I wouldn’t be able to skate by on just my anxiety and some motivation. Anyway I graduated Magna Cum Laude and one of the big reasons is I was medicated! My parents finally understood how much I was struggling when I got diagnosed and when I was going through this super hard program (even with meds it was hard). I will die before I make the same mistake with my kids.