It can be a curse or a blessing - depending how people around the child deal with it.
I've known ADD/ADHD kids who have parents that treat the misbehavior of an undisciplined child like a seizure or stym. They claim the child can't help it - therefore we have to accept that little Johnny is going to stand in the middle of the room can curse at the teacher. (No our admin will not allow this to continue).
I've also know ADD/ADHD kids' parents who draw very clear lines between the symptoms and misbehavior. For example Ethan tends to stand instead of sit, he does his work while standing but becomes very agitated when made to sit. Then Ethan needs to choose a seat that allows him to stand while working, but not distract other students. The standing for this child wasn't a defiance thing - it was more like a stym - something that calmed him down. We worked on other methods to calm him down - so he could cope with middle school and beyond.
I've also known parents that refused any modification, because he's just going to have to cope. Big mistake. I really wish we could allow those parents feel what it is like to be inside a ADD/ADHD mind. It is painful to have to sit still when your brain is jumping all around. (No I'm not advocating medicating all ADD/ADHD kids, I mean things like allowing them space to move around the room while thinking. I pace my entire house when writing lesson plans. Medication is between the parent, doctors, and child. Teachers have no place demanding medication.)
ADD/ADHD is over diagnosed. I've seen kids with other serious problems (OCD, Depression, sleep disorders, anxiety) desperately try to tread water, while everyone talked about controlling their ADHD. It took suicide attempts, total emotional break downs, and full blown panic attacks before the child was properly evaluated and given the right help. (This was not all at my school. Some were family, some friends, some friend of friends)
I'm worried about the child of a friend of a friend. They are Katrina evacuees, moved around a bunch in the past year, mom was diagnosed with depression, child (4yo) has major sleep problems and separation anxiety. He is also bright, inquisitive, easily bored by things like coloring (seat work). He already is "disruptive" during quite time in preschool. I can see an unsympathetic teacher calling a student study in the first grading period of Kinder. I've seen this kid focus for long periods of time on something that interests him. I really think he isn't ADHD (people are starting to throw the label around him). I think his behavior is the result of the trauma of having his life totally disrupted, his sleep problems, and his Mom's depression. (Not blaming Mom, she is great asked for and is receiving help but any parent being ill is stressful on a kid). I'm hoping that the parents will seek a full work up if a student study is called. They have already talked to his doctor and are working with him to help the boy deal with everything.
I love knowing why I have such a hard time with the physical act of writing. As a kid I thought I was crazy or a fraud. I had all these people telling me how smart I was, that I read 5 years above my grade level, that I was in the top 95% in math and science- but I knew I couldn't remember how to make a lower case e. A letter that is in my full name a total of 4 times. I also didn't understand why books without pictures had to be held right side up - when they could be read just as easily upside down.
When I found out, in University, that I am dysgraphic. Everything just slid into place. There was a reason for what was happening, and there were things I could do to fix the problems. There are things I refuse to do because of my RX - handwrite a note at the last minute to a parent for example. I type everything professional, spell check it, and have someone proof read it. I always have open spaces in my classrooms were students and I can pace.
