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.