In my early childhood years, doctors and psychotherapists told my parents that I had ADD/ADHD and was put on various types of medications such as; ‘Ritalin’ and ‘Concerta’ to control my behaviour and average grades. I remember being pulled out of class early to go to private occupational therapy sessions and spent endless counselling sessions as a child.

My parents divorced when I was 9 years old leaving me with no male mentor in my life…With all this pent up rage and aggression, I was fed pills to mask the expansion of my expression. I remember not being invited to close school friends parties in primary school because the parents thought I was…

“Too rough”. Unfortunately for myself….Being singled out in class made me feel ostracised and felt like I didn’t belong. The medication made me depress a lot of my energy; making me shy and reserve. Thankfully mum knew I wasn’t myself and took me off the medication instantly.

Luckily, it’s not the 90’s anymore and theres been a lot more acceptance and tolerance to children with ADD/ADHD like symptoms. ADD is known to be a curse- But, if your doctor has labelled your child with having ADD or ADHD, or you feel as though your child has ADD like symptoms , see it as a gift! Here’s WHY!

SYMPTOM = GIFT

Impulsive = Lives fully in the moment
Hyperactive = Energetic
Distractible = Attends to the unobserved in the world
Acts like they do not hear = Easily tunes out annoying stimuli/people
Talks too much = Passionate about ideas/interests
Interrupts = excited to share ideas with others
Repeats same mistakes = Not plagued with guilt for mistakes
Bizarre sense of humour = Unique sense of humour
Focuses on irrelevant = Finds entertainment in mundane things
Obsessed = Passionate

Here is a picture of myself in the 3rd grade getting enjoyment out of giving my sister the finger.