Absolutely Darn Highly Delightful (The Backlog!)

Shane's English teacher, Mrs. K, emailed.

Hello parents/ guardians of Shane,

I just wanted to let you know that Shane has been a joy to have in class. He mentioned last week that he might have ADHD and has a very hard time focusing on stuff he isn't interested in. I am very familiar with ADHD (my own son has it) and know how hard it can be to "hold it together" all day at school. I very much appreciate his energy and willingness to be redirected when needed. He is respectful and genuine. 

We got welcoming emails other teachers, too (It must be a school-wide initiative), but this one stood out.

I brought it up with Shane later. "Having a hard time focusing on stuff you don't like isn't ADHD," I said. "It's normal."

That was to eliminate an excuse....., but I have wondered about him myself. 

Shane can be all over the place. I'm not sure how much is his personality mixed with attention-seeking immaturity, and how much of the impulsiveness could be beyond his control.   

Carrie was diagnosed with ADD as a kid. She hated the medicine and spit it out each day without telling her parents, but she was prescribed medicine for it. 

I was never diagnosed, but Nana dubbed me a 'poster child' for it. "You'd lose your own head if it wasn't screwed on!" she'd say. I was treated more as the absent-minded (but high energy) professor type. Pop would give me Skittles before wrestling matches to try and help me access the hyper!

I wouldn't be surprised if I was diagnosed. My thoughts can ping pong all over the place and run down all sorts of rabbit holes. That said, I've learned how to manage it myself. 

While research is mixed, some people with ADHD manage their symptoms with caffeine. If I have ADHD, I fall into that category. I've always like soda/sugar. I discovered sweet tea at some point and drank it religiously from then on (Out of Mama Coleman's 'refurbished' tea pot!). The sugar may have 'helped' my energy levels, but caffeine doesn't affect me like most people. Maybe it's from the ritual of a relaxing hot drink or a placebo effect, but I find caffeine calming. I can drink it without issue before bed (Though too much will affect my gut!). 

But back to Shane. 

Carrie set up an appointment for him to talk to someone in January. There are plenty of places around here...that don't take our insurance. They'd love for us to pay $$$, but we're not in a hurry. Carrie found a place in Loudon that will work with my benefits. 

In the meantime, I've tried to give Shane tea in the mornings. No success. He wasn't a fan. Maybe if I'd spiked it with a bunch of sugar, but he's already so hyper....