The Swanbergs and the Passnos are good examples of what most parents do when they learn they have a kid who has a learning disability. Denial is the name of the game! You have already read about the mental gymnastics that we both went through when it appeared Danielle and Dusty had problems. It's hard enough to admit it to yourself, much less to friends, who might not understand the disorder at all.
According to a March 2000 Roper poll, almost two-thirds of Americans still associate learning disabilities with mental retardation.
Some parents react to the diagnosis with a frenzy of activity. They go on the Internet and to the local bookstore and read everything they can put their hands on about the disorder. They run from article, to doctor, to school counselor, to another book, and finally, to a seminar to find a "cure" for little Johnny. The assumption is that Johnny will be a failure unless they step in immediately with the right intervention. Treatment Of ADHD
First of all, Johnny will not be a failure unless that is the expectation foisted on him hy his frenzied parents and frustrated teacher. ADHD can be an incredible dividend, and there are countless success stories to attest to that. The key is finding the right physician, the right educational program, and the right structure at home for your child.
So where is a parent to begin? We intentionally chose the Bible verse from Psalm 50 to open this post because the first step is to stop and pray. The Lord made your child. Your child is infinitely more precious to him than to even you!
Often, prayers for our children can be filled with a great deal of pain because we identify so strongly with their emotions and struggles. Diane can remember feeling Danielle's frustration in relating to her college softball coach. It bothered Diane so much that she often found herself asking God's forgiveness for the anger she felt on behalf of Danielle. That anger, that sense of injustice, was felt so strongly that it was often difficult to pray. She finally resorted to writing out her prayers because it was the only way to get her thoughts together enough to ask for the Lord's intervention and direction for Danielle.
Danielle called home, her voice trembling with emotion, one particular day. "It's so hard to go on sometimes, Mom. My coach associates my learning disability and energy level with being out of control. I don't know if I can ever make her think any differently about me. She's wrong, but I will never get the chance to prove it."
When a parent's soul is so deeply intertwined with their child's emotions, praying for direction is often the hardest thing in the world to sit down and do. Diane often didn't even know how to pray for Danielle in this particular situation. Nevertheless, daily, during the three years Danielle played college softball, she prayed fervently for the Lord's divine intervention. He answered, but not in the way she anticipated or hoped. Danielle called one day and announced that she felt the Lord was telling her to give up college athletics and the sport she loved to spend more time with other activities like the Navigators group on campus. Treatment Of ADHD
Only God knows the paths our children will take in life. Our expectations of how things will go for them - the careers they will eventually have, where they will live, and whom they will marry - rarely turn out the way we plan. Despite the uncertainties that lie ahead for our kids, God is the anchor we must cling to, and prayer is the means by which we receive not only direction, but assurance for the decisions we make for their education and medical treatment. So take your child's problem to God and seek his guidance.
And then, wait upon the Lord for discernment and direction. He is so faithful to provide answers when we don't know which way to turn. Different parents will choose different solutions for their children's treatment as a result of this. The Lord did not make "cookie cutter" children, and so we should not expect "cookie cutter" answers from him for kids with ADHD.
Of course, the local city or county medical association can give referrals, as can your family doctor, and there is also information on the Internet from national ADHD organizations. Remember: Not every, kind, loving, general practitioner is ready to take on the "blessings" of treating your ADHD child! You need to find someone with experience in treating the condition - someone who can communicate well with your child.
Next post, we'll talk about what to do after selecting a physician. Stay tuned! At mean time, you can know more about Treatment Of ADHD and how to handle ADHD children.
