Starting My Own Medication Trial

Diagnosis, Medication, and Personal Reflection

With her support, I had him assessed. The results confirmed what I’d suspected: he had ADHD. For my son, the diagnosis was a turning point. Understanding that his struggles stemmed from a lack of executive functioning—not a lack of intelligence—immediately boosted his confidence. He began to believe in himself again.

Since he was already an active kid, we decided to try stimulant medication, starting with a trial run on a Saturday. It was an instant game-changer. Math homework and writing assignments that once took hours, with plenty of tears, were completed in just 30 minutes. For the first time, he had concrete proof that he was as smart as we’d always told him—and a clear explanation for why he had struggled.

As he made his way through the remainder of fourth grade, his engagement in the classroom and self-esteem improved significantly. Although the meds made a substantial difference, there were (and still are) plenty of challenges that go along with ADHD. As we discovered the areas he needed the most guidance, I saw so much of myself in his struggles. It gave me endless empathy for the ups and downs he would face.

As I helped him navigate his challenges, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own. The more I learned about ADHD, the more I started questioning things about myself. It made me wonder: could my life have been different?? Through it all, his resilience amazed me—and his experience taught me to take a closer look at my own.

• How did you feel when you first received a diagnosis for your child? What was the biggest relief for you, and what still challenges you?
• For those who’ve tried ADHD medication for your child, what changes did you notice? How did it affect their schoolwork and self-esteem?
• Have you ever found yourself reflecting on your own experiences as a parent and wondering if you might have ADHD too? I’d love to hear your thoughts or stories!

School Struggles and the ADHD Question

As he grew older, managing his allergies became second nature to both of us. But new challenges emerged when he started school.

The transition to preschool was easy for him—he was a social kid, and the small, close-knit class felt like family. Many of the same children moved up through the elementary grades together, and for a while, everything seemed fine. But a few years into elementary school, he began to struggle.

When he was interested in a subject and could stay focused, he thrived. But when the topic didn’t catch his attention, his work went unfinished. Sustained focus became a challenge, and once he fell behind, it was like a mental block appeared. He’d convince himself he just couldn’t understand the lesson.

Evenings at home were often frustrating—for both of us. One moment he’d fly through his math worksheets like a tiny machine, but the next, he’d forget concepts he’d been confidently applying just minutes before. I tried my best to help, explaining things as clearly as I could. But when my explanations only seemed to frustrate him more, I couldn’t help but feel like I was failing him.

I understood his struggle all too well—I’d experienced the same thing in school. My parents believed I needed to figure things out on my own, but I was determined to take a different approach with my son. Still, one of my long-standing anxieties loomed: Does my son have ADHD?

For the next few years, I asked his teachers about the possibility. Did his behavior and work patterns match those of children they’d taught with ADHD? Were his struggles typical of kids his age? Most assured me I was jumping to conclusions and suggested that time and self-discipline would fix the issue. My gut told me otherwise, but I needed a recommendation from the school to pursue an assessment.

Meanwhile, I watched his self-esteem wither. As he moved up through grades, his confidence in his schoolwork dwindled. By fourth grade, my concern had reached its peak. During a parent-teacher conference, his teacher gently brought up the possibility of ADHD. I was so relieved I could have cried. Finally, someone else saw what I had been seeing all along.

• Has your child faced similar struggles in school? How did you handle moments of frustration or self-doubt?
• If you’ve ever wondered about ADHD in your child, what signs or behaviors made you start to ask questions?
• For parents who have had similar experiences, how did you approach getting an ADHD assessment? What advice would you give to someone just starting that journey?

Is my son just living his best kid life? Or is it ADHD??

The Early Years and First Challenges

When I was pregnant with my first (and only), my mind raced constantly. I’m guessing most rookie moms share similar anxieties when expecting their firstborn—or maybe I was just a little neurotic! Either way, I was beyond relieved when my baby finally arrived: 10 fingers, 10 toes, and a healthy 8 pounds. There were only minor complications, which affected me more than my fresh little boy.

He did have quite the head, though. During my last ultrasound, the tech even asked if my due date was wrong—his head was so big she thought I might deliver sooner. I assured her the date was right, and I could practically hear her silent prayer for my lady parts.

Fast forward about a year, and most of my worries about year-one milestones never came to pass. Phew! My son was a happy, giggly little guy who hit all his developmental marks, got plenty of tummy time, and even slept well (most of the time).

At 13 months life threw us a bit of a challenge. One of my greatest fears came true: he had an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. Over time, we also learned he was severely allergic to all nuts and sesame.

Managing my anxiety around his allergies wasn’t easy, but over time, I taught him how to stay safe with the foods he ate away from home. Eventually, he became more careful than I was, which helped ease my constant worry.

• Have you experienced similar challenges with your child’s allergies or health? How did you manage your own anxiety around their well-being?
• What’s been the hardest part of your child’s first year for you? How did you find a sense of balance between your own worries and their needs?
• Have any of you had to make lifestyle changes for your child’s allergies? I’d love to hear what worked for you!