The other day I was scrolling on social media when I came across somebody who had made a post which read ‘NHS to put 301 million pounds into adult services.’ As someone who has just been told I have 7 years to wait to even have a conversation about medication this came as welcome news indeed.
Then I saw the comment underneath. Somebody had posted ‘just fund parenting classes instead’ WOW, really? It’s comments like that that make me realise how much still needs to be done in terms of ADHD Awareness. If ADHD were cured by good parenting I wouldn’t have it. My parents were super strict to the point I felt stifled, but that doesn’t alter brain chemistry.
Obviously, people are in all walks of life, some are highly educated and some are not, but we should be able to agree on one universal truth; respect! You’re allowed to think ADHD is a made up condition, despite scientific evidence to the contrary. You’re allowed to think ADHD is over-diagnosed, even though awareness is leading to more recognition. What you’re not allowed to do is go around calling out people’s parents when they’re probably already going through enough as it is.
“Think what you like, as long
ADHD gIRL
as you are coming from a place of respect.”
Do you really think any parent wants their child to have ADHD? Wouldn’t it be an easier life for all in general if children just behaved? Now I’m not saying there are not questionable parents out there, because they most definitely are. What we need to do is realise that we must move away from the rule of ‘behaviour directly comes from parents.’ I mean yes it does to a certain extent, but additional needs, including ADHD, are an exception to this rule.
With additional needs, including ADHD becoming more and more prominent it’s important now more than ever that we come from a place of compassion. Which means when we see a child misbehaving, we don’ t suddenly jump to ‘the parents have raised a hooligan’ and instead think ‘I wonder why the child is acting the way he is?’ It’s much easier to lead with hate, because of the world we’re living in today, but to lead with love and compassion takes courage and patience. I have to believe that’s something we’re all capable of, I just hope we all choose it.
Catch you in two weeks ADHDers and allies, where I’ll be talking about pursuing your dreams, even with an ADHD brain!
