Have you heard about ADHD? Of course you have (unless you have been cut off from all venues of communication) I began learning about it in the early 1970s. I zoomed into the subject when my oldest son's private school first grade teacher (a friend of mine; I'll call him Joe) asked me to describe some of Jeb's (Not his real name) history related to his behavior patterns.
Joe began nodding knowingly with my story of Jeb's first pediatric exam at three weeks. Dr. Jones (not his real name) who was also a friend, looked Jeb over carefully and pronounced him "healthy". Observing Jeb's constant motions he said these fateful words. "Man, he is active. You are going to have fun with this one."
Indeed he was a lot of fun for the first several years. He had a great sense of humor and had started walking at nine months skipping the "crawling stage." He had to be constantly watched to keep him safe.
I loved him dearly and laughed or at least smiled when I was chasing him down or grabbing him at the edge of the swimming on his way in.
As Jeb got older, he began to be less enjoyable. He was still on the move, but somewhat aggressive and still careless. He had a hard time staying with a single interest. He now had a little brother to distract him. Jeb was content for a short time with some object. Until he was distracted by what his little brother was paying attention to and went after it. That's not unusual for any child (or puppy) but Jeb was too determined and aggressive with little bro.
As a flustered and frustrated parent who had to watch him almost compulsively, I would say something like "Why don't you think before you act?" gritting my teeth.
"Please think before you act" was asking for the impossible, I later learned to my chagrin.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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