Medication, ADHD and Dyslexia – Lessons Learned

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My daughter’s last 3 years in school has taught me much. The most important lesson that I learned was to trust myself. If I believe something is wrong, then probably something is wrong.

I briefly wrote up my daughter’s journey in part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4.

I KNEW in kindergarten there was a problem, I just didn’t have the right vocabulary words. There was a story in Newsweek last year about a study on dyslexia. Dyslexia can be tested for in kindergarteners.

However there aren’t any proven established tests for children this young. And the special education system in this country won’t test for learning disabilities until a child is 8 years old.

So my only option (in relation to public education’s special education) was to have her tested for developmental delay. And it took a while for her to become developmentally delayed to qualify for special education. UGH!!!!

Other lessons.

1) Money… Special education practices and polices are based on a federal mandate. A simple way to look at the system……… The goal of the system is to maximize the return on investment.

The reason why a child won’t be tested for learning disabilities (LD) before 8 years of age is because of past studies. Too many children under 8 years of age are falsely identified as having LD. Many of these children will learn to read on their own with traditional teaching and time.

So as a taxpayer I understand. I want the money to be used where it is most needed. But as a parent, I hated that my daughter had to fall further and further behind before she could get help.

My daughter entered special education with the label of developmental delay at 7.5 years of age.

2) I am responsible for advocating for my daughter.

Various teachers and other LD parents told me that my daughter is “lucky” I pushed. I kept asking questions and looking for other options/resources. I was told that most dyslexic children aren’t tested until they reach 3rd grade.

3) Emotions……..

An over the top emotional display is unwelcome. You don’t want to be seen as a lunatic or have a restraining order filed against you.

However getting teary eyed doesn’t hurt. Showing that you are involved and care about your child can help.

4) I wasn’t the first mother to run into these challenges. And a couple of them have written books on their adventures.

A mother faces her child’s learning disabilities

Dealing with dyslexia

5) Many creative people have ADHD and dyslexia. It is interesting just how many actors and comedians have LD or ADHD. Robin Williams and Jim Carey found a place where their ADHD was very useful.

Famous people with dyslexia

• Billy Blanks (Tae Bo workout videos)
• Tom Cruise (actor)
• Orlando Bloom (actor)
• George Clooney (actor)
• Patrick Dempsey (actor)
• George Archer (former Golf Masters champion)
• Many others
• Famous Dyslexics: What they remember

Famous people with ADHD

• Ansel Adams (photographer)
• Jim Carey (Comedian)
• Robin Williams (Comedian)
• Many Others

6) Social skills….

I was concerned about my daughter’s social skills. And it turns out there is a link between LD and poor social skills.

Here is a good article on it.

So we do a lot of role-playing together.

And her school’s counselor facilitates “social skills” learning class once a week. I quickly got my daughter signed up. She loooooves this class. It is only 30 minutes a week and has greatly helped her self-esteem.

Medication, ADHD and Dyslexia
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Lessons Learned