ADD, anyone?

This is a wonderful start to a blog, but honestly, it's the latest major happening in the Collins' household. Yesterday was the first parent/teacher conference of the year at Mikayla's school and I was informed - very nicely, by the way - from her teacher that she might have ADD. This isn't something new to us, since her teachers have told us this every year since she was in K-3 - but we assumed she would grow out of it, it was only a borderline condition, and she always did so well in school (usually above average and scores very highly on tests) that we didn't give it much thought. But yesterday's conference really hit hard. Basically, the teacher told me that Mikayla has SO much potential that she's not even reaching because she just can't seem to focus at school. She wants to recommend Mikayla for "Focus Group Classes" (gifted classes) but is hesitant because of the large amount of testing to qualify. We know about the testing because she's been recommened for Focus Group Classes before but could not pass the battery of state tests in the Math/logical thinking areas. Usually, Mikayla's "zone-out" times were in Math, but now it's starting to affect her language arts/writing skills which she has always excelled at. On a side note, can I just say that what is expected of students in school today is NOT what was expected of us when we were in elementary school 20 years ago! She is working on long division and writing early stage term papers (research, note cards, glossary, etc). These things don't work when you can't focus or group activities into logical sequences. To make a long story short, this was a major blow! Part of it is pride on my part - I don't want my child to have psychological problems or a learning deficiency, I want her to be perfect! But at the same time, how can I not attempt to help her reach her full potential in school? So, after much talk, research and tears last night I called made an appointment for her with a psychologist this morning. Funny - we couldn't get an appointment for 2 MONTHS the doctor was backed up so far. Anyway, we're going to have her evaluated to see if she does indeed have ADD, then we'll look into options besides medication since I believe medication should be a last resort.

It's so hard for me to understand this problem because my mind is almost over-organized and my ability to focus is not a problem. Michael, however, still struggles with his ADD and knows exactly how she feels and operates. At least God gave me a partner who can help understand and deal with this on a very personal basis! So, there you have it.....the latest excitement in the Collins family. Now it's time for me to clean bathtubs :-)