Myths & Misunderstandings of AD/HD

What people say about me or mines has rarely affected me. I've always been one to be able to march at the beat of my own drum and live happily doing so.

One of the many things I did was respect every one's opinion on anything, trying to not criticize or judge on the way.  BUT! when someone decides to have a strong opinion on something, that sometimes they don't know much about.

I believe to have such a strong opinion on a certain topic then you must educate yourself to be able to rebuttal and defend your point of view with credibility, and at the same time having an open mind to explore the other side (& become educated on it as well).

For the many that say "I don't believe in AD/HD", "AD/HD is just an excuse" ... ETC!

Here is a great article by Phillis Anne Teeter Ellison, Ph.D. called

Myths & Misunderstandings of AD/HD

from CHADD's Attention! Magazine

A blurb from the article: 

"Public perceptions of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are replete with myths, misconceptions and misinformation about the nature, course and treatment of the disorder. Popular misconceptions assert that ADHD is not a disorder or at minimum, is a benign one that is over-diagnosed. Critics often claim that children are needlessly medicated by parents who have not properly managed their unruly, unmotivated or underachieving children, or who are looking for an academic advantage (e.g., testing or classroom accommodations) in competitive, high-stakes educational environments. Some suggest that "a growing intolerance of childhood playfulness may in fact be leading to more and more children being labeled with ADHD" (Panksepp, 1998, p. 91). Critics rarely present evidence-based arguments and frequently allege that professionals are harming otherwise normal children by diagnosing and treating ADHD."

 I am a Christian mother of two (soon to be 3 in September), and I will admit that at first I was led by the news and little snip-its I read here and there about it. Never did I take the time, as I've had to do to now, to be able to really understand what it really is. 

That there are people in this world that misuse the name? I'm sure of it. They misuse the name of God as well!! I'm not surprised at it. But before you make up your mind as to how you feel about it please click on the link above and read on, so you may start to open up your mind.

If you are a Christian (saved, accepted your savior, etc.), than at one time you looked at christianity and had your opinions on it. Until, someone came to you and brought the Word to you in such a way that the truth was revealed and you were convicted in such a way that you gave your life to Jesus.

I'm not asking for people to give their lives to the research of what AD/HD really is, just want for once when I try to explain how my daughter's brain works, I don't get the "I don't think that's a real thing", or "I think we all have a little bit of that". 

It's not only inattention, it is so much more. I'm not asking for pity (far from it). Just understanding.

Knowledge is power, take advantage of it while you have the opportunity to get it.

Need more info, please visit:

https://www.help4adhd.org

Seeing Your AD/HD Child Through the Eyes of God

"Moses and John the Baptist are just two of the many people God has used for His purposes whose abilities, behavior or thought processes run against the grain of what is considered 'normal'. It seems obvious from God's Word that He has no problem working with people who are different... in fact, He seems to prefer it!"
-Of Different Minds (Seeing Your AD/HD Child Through the Eyes of God) by Maren Angelotti, M.A.T.

This is a quote from my new favorite book. This particular quote opened up my mind to see that not everyone has to think a like to be able to used by God. Not that I doubted my daughter was going to be used by Him. I pray every night that He uses me to help her along the way. More accurately said that He gives me the wisdom to guide her.

Many want to KNOW the reason for everything that happens to them in their lives. The truth is that if you knew you wouldn't learn from each particular situation.

In this book I am reading now, along with the CHADD Parent to Parent Program, I have come to understand that just because there may be a certain 'disorder' doesn't mean it has to stop there; that you let something like that hinder you, your gift, or your purpose. Things will be difficult but not impossible.

We've all heard: we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. Do we really understand what that entails? That all things can be done through Him, not some or a few, or if we have some type of hinderance then it really doesn't count; but ALL.

This is something my daughters and I are not only learning but experiencing. How awesome and great is that!?!

I hope you can take this and catch a breath and say, "it's okay, we can go through this and learn from it, and we will come out of it so much better for it."

Christian AD/HD ??

I do not embrace the disorder, 

I embrace my daughter

what the world may call  a disorder,

I call it God's perfect plan for her.

Maybe she has to be this "out-of-the-box" thinker

To be able to give the Good News to the world in a way they never thought of.

I have no doubt that she was fearfully and wonderfully made.

When I am told to stop looking so much into it, 

I stop and think, why not? 

Wouldn't you want to get into your child's mind and know 

What they are thinking? How they are thinking?

Sure I can never know exactly how, or what she might be thinking.

But I can help her...

This world wasn't made for thinkers like her.

When you see a side of the box, she's already thinking what's inside it.

When you wonder whether you should take the risk God has impulsed you to do,

she already did it!

Will she fall and scrape herself at times? YES!

Will I be there to tell her it's ok, just learn from this one? YES!

I wish I had that impulsivity when God tells me to do something.

We as "normal" people hesitate many times, 

and miss out on God's blessing because of it.

So I decided to learn more about how the brain works.

Not because I embrace this disorder,

but because I embrace the way my daughter thinks & learn.

And I want to be her #1 FAN that understands her 

and is there to help her when she needs it.

When in doubt...get EDUCATED!

I'm about to embark in a 7 week course to go through a "Family Training on AD/HD". It's sponsored by CHADD :

It's part of the Parent to Parent program they have. 

I'm actually very excited to be getting some more in depth look at how it works, how to handle it, and just how to learn to navigate the challenges. If anyone is interested please click on link and get oriented.

Remember: when in doubt, get EDUCATED. It's the only way we will be able to get through out any life challenges. To also, be more equipped to help our children.