"I Wish You Knew..."

    Here you can post what you wish your parents, teachers, or friends knew about your ADD/ADHD.  You can also share what things you think are too hard for you because of your ADD/ADHD that makes it unfair.  Then I will post it on the site.  Only your first name will be posted!

• Parents, Teachers and Friends:  It's unfair that people label others. Once everyone found out I was ADD they started treating me differently. The teachers didn't call on me in class, kids at school avoided me, and my mom started to try to do my school work for me. ADD doesn't make me stupid, unfriendly, or incapable of doing my own school work. I'm the same person I was before I was diagnosed. Can't you just treat me the way you used to???  Alicia, 14

• Teachers:  Girls with ADD & ADHD ARE different than boys with ADD & ADHD. It IS more difficult for girls than it is for boys for several reasons; We are usually diagnosed when we are much older than boys are, because it is not expected in girls. We are more likely to be ADD than ADHD so our issues are usually not disruptive to others, please don't let this fool you into thinking we are "just fine", that we don't really have "special needs", or worse yet, that we are "just lazy." Most people with ADD and ADHD are gifted learners & creative thinkers ~ we are not stupid, most of us are actually very intelligent ~ but, we DO need more time to get things done, even if we know how to do it. A lot of us are also "over achievers", please do not forget that when we manage to get our schoolwork done, and get good grades, we have probably put a lot more time & effort into our work & projects than most of the other students have. It is really bad for our self esteem when you harshly criticize what we are proud of. We are teenage & pre-teen girls, our self confidence is ALREADY low and we ARE going to be emotional about EVERYTHING. Most of us also tend to be perfectionists, please just accept this & deal with it, we really can't change the way we are just to please others. We did not choose to be this way. We are doing the best we can ~ please be patient and please do not get so frustrated with us, or yell at us, or punish us over every single little thing that we do "wrong."  Mallory, 12, Cadette Girl Scout

• Teachers and Friends:  It is hard to get my work done like when there is alot of noise around.  I think kids or parents with ADD or ADHD should check out books/materials about ADD/ADHD.  Jessica, 11

• Friends:  I also have trouble sometimes finishing my work and sometimes I say stuff people think is stupid but I just tell my self to ignore them and tell my self, if they just make fun of me to boost their own self confidence, then that's stupid and then I go on with my life. Sarah, 12

• Teachers:  I wish my teachers knew that it is not my fault that i lose interest in a subject after 30 min. they yell at me because i always zone out.  K.K., 14

• Parents and Friends:  I get bossy with people and it is hard to make friends. I don't understand some TV shows and my mom has to explain it to me.  Maiah, 12

• Teachers:  Although i can handle all the school work it takes me 3 times as long and i have to stay up to finish it.  Nicole, 16

• Teachers and Friends:  That I am not Stupid. Kids call me stupid and I have to keep telling they that is not true. I am not stupid.  Sarah, 8

• Friends:  It is unfair that other kids make friends faster than me. It took a long time to make a best friend. I don't think other kids understand me or what ADD is. They don't understand why I sometimes zone out. I am a girl scout too. I am a junior this year.  Cynthia, 9

• Parents:  I'm not lazy. I just zone out sometimes. I'm not forgetful. I just can't finish my homework.

• Parents, Teachers and Friends:  Sometimes I think I am dumb because it takes me so much longer to do tests. I also can't finish my work as quickly. I know I am really smart I just can't get it out for other people to see. I am in girls scouts too. I am a Brownie.  Phoebe, 8

• Teachers:  I wish my teachers knew how hard it is for me to finish writing down information in the amount of time given.  I just zone out too much in class!
  Carly, 12