A Very Special Child With ADHD
Although my husband and I had our suspicions that our daughter, Giuliana, had ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) when she was very young, it was not until after we had our first parent-teacher conference with her kindergarten teacher that we knew our suspicions were right. Her teacher told us that our daughter was very intelligent, creative, and sweet, but she had a difficult time paying attention and focusing in class. It was then that we decided to seek a medical professional for help and guidance.
After her teacher, my husband, and myself filled out the necessary questionnaires and our answers were compared to each others, it was obvious that our daughter had the same struggles with focusing at school that she did at home. After a child psychologist met with my daughter several times, she diagnosed her with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) – combined type. She was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety, which often coexist with a lot of people with ADHD. All of this and she was only in kindergarten.
Here is an interview with my daughter and another child the same age as her from October 2015. The video was created to bring ADHD Awareness to the world and to teach people that ADHD is not just about not being able to stay still or not being able to focus. ADHD can negatively affect a child’s life in many ways, as you can see from the video.
As heartbreaking as it is to hear my daughter’s answers in that interview, I am so glad that video was made. At that point in my daughter’s life, she was in a very dark place. That was her at her absolute worst. Fortunately, she has come a long way since that interview. It is so nice to see how much she has grown and changed in a positive way with her ADHD and there are many things I love about her because of her ADHD. What I have learned is that ADHD can positively affect my daughter’s life (as well as my life) and that is what I choose to focus on with her. She still struggles with some aspects in her life of course, but there are many strategies and tools I have learned along the way (and continue to learn every day) to help her, which I frequently share on the blog.
In her own unique way, Giuliana has even become a mini ADHD Advocate! She loves to help spread ADHD Awareness and has created her own YouTube series to teach young children about ADHD called The Shiny Playground. She also helped launch Pen Pallies, a worldwide pen pal program for kids with ADHD. Way to go, Giuliana!
