HOW MANY PARENTS OF ADDer KIDS ACTUALLY HAVE ADD/ADHD?

[DANA]

I am an ADDer mom with 3 ADDer kids who are 11, 14 & 18 years old. Now that my kids are a bit older, I can verify that Yes! It does get better through time and maturation! (At least with my own experience.)

Now that my own 18 year old son is close to graduating and he is considered a legal adult in the USA, I can proudly say, "I SEE THE RAINBOW! WOO HOO!" If your kids are presently very young and if you question whether the choas will ever mellow down a bit, have hope, kids do grow up to become adults!

So how many parents in this group actually have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD? Were you diagnosed BEFORE or AFTER your child/children were diagnosed with ADD/ADHD?

I was diagnosed after my son was diagnosed with ADHD. It was after my son was evaluated, diagnosed and taking Ritalin that I began doing some serious reading and research to learn more about ADD/ADHD. Thankfully, I came across a very interesting book called "WOMEN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER" by Sari Solden. This excellent book was a godsend for me!

As I read each chapter, which revealed common symptoms of ADD/ADHD in little girls, teenage girls and adult women, I was shocked to discover that everything I read sounded like ME! The description of the ADDer female teenager literally summed up my reckless, impulsive and wild behavior! (I pray that my kids do not act like me when I was a teenager!)

Looking back on my adventuresome journey through life, I wish that I would have been evaluated and diagnosed MUCH earlier. (I was 33 yrs old.) However, I can honestly say that I would not change the creative, energetic and fun side of myself that most individuals enjoy!

I can sincerely admit that I do not mind that I have ADHD or that my kids have ADHD. I could not imagine life being any different than what I know. We are who we are......with our own strengths, weaknesses and talents. And that, my ADDer friends, is how we make the world go around!

[Alison]

I'm going to get this book. Both my kids have been diagnosed with ADD and the more I read, the more convinced I am that I probably had/have it too, although probably mild. My husband had it, said he did "grow out of it" around his senior year in high school. Now he will tell you he has just learned to cope with it.

[DANA]

Alison, another great resource is Patricia Quinn's website, which is escaping my memory at this moment!
Patricia Quinn has a very informational and helpful website for females. Perhaps, your local library has books on adult ADD/ADHD?

Best wishes!

[Kay Marner]

I have one child with ADHD, who happens to be adopted, so there's isn't a genetic component to consider. I very clearly do not have ADHD--I've said before, I have 30+ years of always arriving at least 5 minutes early to prove it! But, since Natalie entered my life, I feel as if I do! Her chaos has become my chaos. I coined the term ADHD by Proxy to describe this. Can any other non-ADHD moms relate?