15 yrs. Grade 9

From grade 1 through to the end of grade 8, my son struggled with the school system. He was diagnosed with ADHD in grade 2. The general response from teachers and administrators was, “Well, we have other students on IEPs so we get it.” or “My child has….” As they say, “If you’ve met one person with ADHD, you’ve met exactly one person with ADHD.” I don’t care what worked for Billy and Susie – they aren’t my child. I explained my son’s needs – or my awareness of his needs – like this: You are his teacher. Your expertise is teaching. I am his mother. My expertise is my son. If you offer advice on how I can help his learning at home, I will listen because you’re the expert. If I offer advice on how to help my son in class, maybe listen to me because I’m the expert on him. All I can say now is that high school has been like an awakening. Grade school was one really long night. Grade 9 has been a bright, sunny morning.