my life and adhd by lisa brown. someone once described me as being a human dynamo, i used to have so...
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My Life and ADHDMy Life and ADHDMy Life and ADHDMy Life and ADHD
By Lisa BrownBy Lisa BrownBy Lisa BrownBy Lisa Brown
Someone once described me as being a Someone once described me as being a
human dynamo, I used to have so much human dynamo, I used to have so much
energy that I felt that it was like electricity energy that I felt that it was like electricity
running through my body. This energy felt running through my body. This energy felt
amazing at times, this energy would never amazing at times, this energy would never
let me rest. I have recently discovered that let me rest. I have recently discovered that
this energy was part of having A.D.H.D. this energy was part of having A.D.H.D.
I m now going to take you on a journey I m now going to take you on a journey
starting with my past and present and starting with my past and present and
then my aspirations for Nathan my son then my aspirations for Nathan my son
who also has A.D.H.Dwho also has A.D.H.D
The PastThe PastThe PastThe Past
My earliest memories of my grandmother My earliest memories of my grandmother
is of her telling me stories about my father is of her telling me stories about my father
as a small child, he caused lots of as a small child, he caused lots of
problems.problems.
At just age three my father was missing At just age three my father was missing
from their farm which was in a small from their farm which was in a small
hamlet in the middle of nowhere. She said hamlet in the middle of nowhere. She said
the police brought him back with his three the police brought him back with his three
wheeler bike from the next village which wheeler bike from the next village which
was four miles away!!!was four miles away!!!
I grew up as one of 6 siblings . One of my I grew up as one of 6 siblings . One of my
brothers has severe learning difficulties he brothers has severe learning difficulties he
was born prematurely weighing 2lb 2 oz. I was born prematurely weighing 2lb 2 oz. I
believe that he has A.D.H.D as well.believe that he has A.D.H.D as well.
My youngest brother Luke is in the rain My youngest brother Luke is in the rain
forests of Malaysia at the moment, he is forests of Malaysia at the moment, he is
travelling the world by himself.travelling the world by himself.
My eldest brother shows all the traits of My eldest brother shows all the traits of
A.D.H.D he is dyslexic. At school they said A.D.H.D he is dyslexic. At school they said
that he would either be a millionaire or go that he would either be a millionaire or go
to prison. He’s a millionaire!!!!to prison. He’s a millionaire!!!!
I had very few boundaries, for hours at a I had very few boundaries, for hours at a
time. time.
My pleasure in life as a child was ponies. I My pleasure in life as a child was ponies. I
loved riding. loved riding.
I never saw any dangers. I never saw any dangers.
I was usually so impatient that I never even I was usually so impatient that I never even
put the saddle & bridle on.put the saddle & bridle on.
Green fields used to calm me, I also loved the Green fields used to calm me, I also loved the
quiet away from my noisy family.quiet away from my noisy family.
I used to experience periods of feeling very low I used to experience periods of feeling very low
in mood and depressed, on many occasions I in mood and depressed, on many occasions I
used to have morbid thoughts. I would cry used to have morbid thoughts. I would cry
often for hours sometimes.often for hours sometimes.
I would feel very frustrated and angry and not I would feel very frustrated and angry and not
know why.know why.
Once I walked out of Primary School at the age Once I walked out of Primary School at the age
of 5 to play down by the river !!of 5 to play down by the river !!
I struggled with noise, was easily I struggled with noise, was easily
distracted and my attention was very distracted and my attention was very
poor. I still struggle with this.poor. I still struggle with this.
I was always losing things and this used to I was always losing things and this used to
make me very angry. My friend used to make me very angry. My friend used to
save my school bus pass for me every save my school bus pass for me every
day. day.
I constantly lose bank cards, keys, and glasses.I constantly lose bank cards, keys, and glasses.
I had a very protective nature especially towards I had a very protective nature especially towards
my brother Nick with learning difficulties.my brother Nick with learning difficulties.
I was very impulsive and was direct in my I was very impulsive and was direct in my
conversation and tactless. conversation and tactless.
I find it hard not to interrupt conversations even I find it hard not to interrupt conversations even
now.now.
I could never sit still, I was constantly touching I could never sit still, I was constantly touching
things.things.
I used to be thrown off the school bus often I used to be thrown off the school bus often
and had to walk miles home along country and had to walk miles home along country
roads.roads.
I found it hard to listen to what the teachers I found it hard to listen to what the teachers
were telling me. were telling me.
I could never walk anywhere, I had to run. I I could never walk anywhere, I had to run. I
disliked wearing shoes outside. I’d walk on disliked wearing shoes outside. I’d walk on
stones, so does my son funnily enough.stones, so does my son funnily enough.
I left home at sixteen and rented a house and I left home at sixteen and rented a house and
got a job. I never returned home again.got a job. I never returned home again.
Life felt tough at timesLife felt tough at times
My mind in Action My mind in Action My mind in Action My mind in Action
The PresentThe PresentThe PresentThe Present
I’ve worked for adult social care for twenty I’ve worked for adult social care for twenty
years working very complex cases. I never tire years working very complex cases. I never tire
of my work in the community being creative of my work in the community being creative
and enthusiastic. I love searching for solutions.and enthusiastic. I love searching for solutions.
I have a daughter Jasmine who is 14 years of I have a daughter Jasmine who is 14 years of
age and is beautiful in every way, she is very age and is beautiful in every way, she is very
intelligent and creative in all her subjects. She intelligent and creative in all her subjects. She
shows such patience and understanding with shows such patience and understanding with
Nathan. The teachers always said that Jasmine Nathan. The teachers always said that Jasmine
was a free spirit at primary school and she had was a free spirit at primary school and she had
a lust for life. She believes that Nathan will be a lust for life. She believes that Nathan will be
fine in secondary school. fine in secondary school.
My son Nathan is ten years old, a decade.My son Nathan is ten years old, a decade.
Nathan was diagnosed with A.D.H.D in 2008. We Nathan was diagnosed with A.D.H.D in 2008. We
made a major decision to put him on medication, made a major decision to put him on medication,
this did not work it only gave Nathan horrible side this did not work it only gave Nathan horrible side
effects and in the end suicidal thoughts. This was effects and in the end suicidal thoughts. This was
the final straw and we made a decision to stop this the final straw and we made a decision to stop this
for his own well being. for his own well being.
Shortly after his diagnosis I was diagnosed with M.E Shortly after his diagnosis I was diagnosed with M.E
and lost my energy it was a struggle to say the and lost my energy it was a struggle to say the
least. On a positive note I became calmer. We least. On a positive note I became calmer. We
dont have family that live close by to help.dont have family that live close by to help.
I struggled manage Nathan at the peak of his I struggled manage Nathan at the peak of his
hyperactivity, we were at different ends of the hyperactivity, we were at different ends of the
spectrum.My husband who is a Detective Sergeant spectrum.My husband who is a Detective Sergeant
worked very long hours,but changed his job.worked very long hours,but changed his job.
Nathan’s behaviour at school was becoming increasingly difficult to manage. I Nathan’s behaviour at school was becoming increasingly difficult to manage. I
worried about Nathan’s future, I read everything about A.D.H.D. I read a book worried about Nathan’s future, I read everything about A.D.H.D. I read a book
called “Is That my Child?”, by Robin Pauc a Child Development Delay Expert. called “Is That my Child?”, by Robin Pauc a Child Development Delay Expert.
After reading it I telephoned him and asked if he would see Nathan at his clinic After reading it I telephoned him and asked if he would see Nathan at his clinic
for a private consultation.for a private consultation.
Nathan’s diet was changed, no more cereals we reduced his sugar intake. Nathan’s diet was changed, no more cereals we reduced his sugar intake.
Nathan has had eggs for breakfast ever since that visit. out for food additives. Nathan has had eggs for breakfast ever since that visit. out for food additives.
Nathan has linseeds daily.Nathan has linseeds daily.
linseedslinseeds
Dr Pauc also stressed the importance of Dr Pauc also stressed the importance of
omega 3 in his diet, Nathan has fish oils omega 3 in his diet, Nathan has fish oils
daily plus a spoonful of omega 3 mix of daily plus a spoonful of omega 3 mix of
seeds twice daily.seeds twice daily.
Healthy diet - Nathan eats lots of fresh Healthy diet - Nathan eats lots of fresh
fruits and vegetables. Nathan is fully fruits and vegetables. Nathan is fully
aware of the importance of nutrition and aware of the importance of nutrition and
does not resist this. does not resist this.
Nathan did brain exercises, like walking Nathan did brain exercises, like walking
backwards up the stairs balancing bean backwards up the stairs balancing bean
bags on his head twice daily. He brushed bags on his head twice daily. He brushed
his teeth standing on one leg twice daily.his teeth standing on one leg twice daily.
Eye movement DVD’s to help his eye Eye movement DVD’s to help his eye
convergence daily.convergence daily.
He saw a specialist chiropractor in Lincoln He saw a specialist chiropractor in Lincoln
who manipulated him physically, he now who manipulated him physically, he now
wears insoles in his shoes.wears insoles in his shoes.
Nathan had herbal remedies to calm and soothe Nathan had herbal remedies to calm and soothe
his anger/frustration. Remedies to help him his anger/frustration. Remedies to help him
sleep.sleep.
Expensive vitamins mineralsExpensive vitamins minerals
Fish oilsFish oils
Nathan was always read to each night. He Nathan was always read to each night. He
would read a few pages of his school book with would read a few pages of his school book with
resistance. He then started to read and read. resistance. He then started to read and read.
Nathan now reads 600 paged books with great Nathan now reads 600 paged books with great
understanding of what he has read. Nathan can understanding of what he has read. Nathan can
hyper focus only on things that interest him.hyper focus only on things that interest him.
Turning point Turning point Turning point Turning point
Nathan had an assessment at Nathan had an assessment at
C.A.M.H.S we met Rachel the play C.A.M.H.S we met Rachel the play
therapist, she recommended filial therapist, she recommended filial
therapy. therapy.
I went every week to learn to play with I went every week to learn to play with
Nathan saying out loud his emotions. Nathan saying out loud his emotions.
My husband and I did 20 minute My husband and I did 20 minute
sessions with Nathan. This was the sessions with Nathan. This was the
turning point for our family.turning point for our family.
I wanted help to improve Nathan and I wanted help to improve Nathan and
improve on how we were managing improve on how we were managing
him at home. We were prepared to do him at home. We were prepared to do
anything to make this happen. anything to make this happen.
I then went on to facilitate positive I then went on to facilitate positive
parenting classes, which re enforced what I parenting classes, which re enforced what I
was doing with Rachel. I highly recommend was doing with Rachel. I highly recommend
these classes.these classes.
My only wish was that I did this earlier it My only wish was that I did this earlier it
would have saved some heart ache. This would have saved some heart ache. This
gave me the confidence that I was lacking gave me the confidence that I was lacking
to take control of parenting a child with to take control of parenting a child with
A.D.H.D. I felt that I needed more skills. We A.D.H.D. I felt that I needed more skills. We
go out as a family everywhere lovely go out as a family everywhere lovely
restaurants you name it. I still steer away restaurants you name it. I still steer away
from children’s parks and climbing frames, from children’s parks and climbing frames,
due to several accidents. I used to literally due to several accidents. I used to literally
be right behind him as a small child.be right behind him as a small child.
Once he was in mid year 5 he could not Once he was in mid year 5 he could not
put his books down.put his books down.
Things started to improve. A teacher Things started to improve. A teacher
learnt to understand about A.D.H.D. His learnt to understand about A.D.H.D. His
work was being displayed.work was being displayed.
Nathan is distracted by everything in the Nathan is distracted by everything in the
class room eg. Headsets and still knowing class room eg. Headsets and still knowing
what’s going on.what’s going on.
Support Your ChildSupport Your ChildSupport Your ChildSupport Your Child
This is a poem written by Nathan. I personally love it.This is a poem written by Nathan. I personally love it.
The swift wind gives growth to a raging fire, disintegrating the decomposing leaves spread across the forest floorIt burns with a vicious sizeThe atmosphere seeps translucent blood that we pronounce windThe twitching flames had finished and was now a sea of ash drifting in the air watching the fire re birth belowThe ash waits for the breezy wind to carry it through the sky as a warning of a fire to the public.
By Nathan Brown Age 9
Recognise everything that is Recognise everything that is
positive,valuable & unique about your positive,valuable & unique about your
child.child.
Try to move on from negative experiences Try to move on from negative experiences
quickly. I always say press the delete quickly. I always say press the delete
button.button.
Trust that your child can learn,mature and Trust that your child can learn,mature and
succeed.succeed.
Console your child when they have bad Console your child when they have bad
times. times.
Children with A.D.H.D require lots more Children with A.D.H.D require lots more
love and approval than most children. love and approval than most children.
They may resist initially.They may resist initially.
Try not to compare your child with other Try not to compare your child with other
children who don’t have this condition. children who don’t have this condition.
They may not have the same struggles on They may not have the same struggles on
a daily basis as yours does.a daily basis as yours does.
Children with A.D.H.D have a tendency to Children with A.D.H.D have a tendency to
be more tactile than others, embrace that.be more tactile than others, embrace that.
Remember that the child with A.D.H.D is Remember that the child with A.D.H.D is
not deliberately trying to annoy you, not deliberately trying to annoy you,
ignore you or embarrass you.ignore you or embarrass you.
Be there when their mistakes cause pain, Be there when their mistakes cause pain,
they need you more than ever, put your they need you more than ever, put your
own feelings aside.own feelings aside.
We need to use lots of strategies to We need to use lots of strategies to
increase appropriate behaviours and increase appropriate behaviours and
decrease inappropriate, disruptive ones.decrease inappropriate, disruptive ones.
Gain confidence in your own abilities.Gain confidence in your own abilities.
Take time out for yourselves, your children Take time out for yourselves, your children
benefit as well as you.benefit as well as you.
I go to the gym 2-3 times per week, this I go to the gym 2-3 times per week, this
makes me more able to concentrate makes me more able to concentrate
because it moves the fog in my mind. because it moves the fog in my mind.
His teacher wrote on his report “I hope to His teacher wrote on his report “I hope to
read about you one day, your writing has read about you one day, your writing has
amazed me.” Nathan was not on any amazed me.” Nathan was not on any
medication in year 4 & 5.medication in year 4 & 5.
That made me cry. That made me cry.
AspirationsAspirationsAspirationsAspirations
I want my son to feel that he belongs in I want my son to feel that he belongs in
this world and not that he is a square peg this world and not that he is a square peg
in a round hole. Playing rugby has helped in a round hole. Playing rugby has helped
him feel there is hope. I want him to him feel there is hope. I want him to
continue to be the individual that he is continue to be the individual that he is
and be a responsible member of our and be a responsible member of our
society. We are with him all the way. Mum, society. We are with him all the way. Mum,
Dad and JazzDad and Jazz
Born This WayBorn This Way
Lady Ga GaLady Ga Ga
Born This WayBorn This Way
Lady Ga GaLady Ga Ga
I believe in children with ADHD. I believe I believe in children with ADHD. I believe
that they can succeed in school with the that they can succeed in school with the
appropriate support and understanding appropriate support and understanding
from their teachers. I believe that children from their teachers. I believe that children
can move up to secondary school and gain can move up to secondary school and gain
there qualifications. I believe that children there qualifications. I believe that children
with ADHD can move onto further with ADHD can move onto further
education get a job, start a business. I education get a job, start a business. I
believe in children with ADHD and so believe in children with ADHD and so
should they. should they.