One mind at a time.... When my first son was ready for school, my mindset was similar to that of other first time parents.  We signed him up for PreK at our small local school. He cried almost everyday for two years. It was my and his worst nightmare.  

 

My son was the student, who on the trip to the pumpkin patch, picked the green pumpkin instead of the shiny orange pumpkin. During the ladybug craft, he wanted to paint his bug pink with white spots.

 

During an observation session, I watched my son work to create a self portrait.  He was engaged in his work.  Brow furrowed, and hand moving steadily across the paper.  I recall his well intentioned teacher hovering over him and explaining to him, "we usually use yellow for blond hair." This was the moment that I realized this was not an educational match for my son. 

 

We were fortunate enough to be able to make a change. He attended Montessori school K through 8th grade. He was bright but lacked motivation.  Unless it was an interest based activity or assignment, he struggled to accomplish his work.  This was not due to laziness.  It was just how his mind worked.  

 

Without having the ADHD diagnosis.  I realize now his lack of motivation is actually a huge stumbling block for people with ADHD. The Montessori school that he attended allowed for interest driven activities embedded into the school day.  Montessori was a nice fit, because the education tends to be more student driven, allowing for some flexibility.

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My son would say that his high school experience academically has been the most challenging thus far. The sheer volume of targeted work became so overwhelming that he became depressed. He did well in the classes that interested him. Not as well in the classes that bored him.  He managed to hold on and stay above water. He wasn’t happy and he no longer had the time to enjoy the things he was so passionate about.

 

As a mother, I could see the extraordinary gifts his ADD mind had given him. The way he became so immersed, so knowledgeable, the master at his latest interest. The frustrations behind not medically being diagnosed as inattentive ADD and thus not having him supported properly by us, his parents. He was sad and overwhelmed. 

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We did decide to allow him the opportunity to create an alternative senior year for himself. A diverse education, that encompasses our and his academic goals with his need for physical movement and creativity. At times, I think if I had just known what I know now after months of studying the ADHD brain and coaching, maybe he could have finished up at his private educational institution. Three years of hard work and he unfortunately won’t receive a diploma. 

 

I have learned to trust in him and his decisions. As his mother, always feeling like I need to protect him, I worry about his later educational regrets. Once he finds his way to college, he will have an ADHD coach as I now know this will help lead him to success. ADHDers need understanding, support and structure.

 

My eldest son has taught me a lot. Some of the students in my classroom teach me about ADHD everyday, it’s like a little laboratory. 

So working with “one mind at a time” with knowledge, with experience, with mindfulness, with love and a whole lot of passion. Let's get coaching.