My Journey with Alex, A Mother's Perspective

by Therese Glynn, Project Manager/ADHD Support Harrow, Group Facilitator/Harrow Family Learning Network

I have a son called Alex. He fits snugly between two daughters, one older and one younger, and a husband, making what would look to society as the perfect family. The only difference is that Alex suffers from the condition "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" and that is where society struggles with Alex.

Seven years ago I sat in a consulting room at our local hospital and was told my son suffered with ADHD. Like many people I had never heard of the condition before and remember being overcome with relief that it wasn't me being a terrible parent who couldn't control her child, that there was some explanation why Alex behaved the way he did.

Alex came into the world thirteen years ago. From the start he was lively, funny, exhausting and never slept. He even gave up his daytime nap at six months old! At ten months he ran everywhere, walking wasn't an option, and taking him out meant strapping him into a buggy with three harnesses, which he still managed to escape from. Alex couldn't keep still for a moment and neither did I, trying to keep up with him. I cannot remember the amount of times I was told, 'don't worry, he'll grow out of it, he's just a boy,' except Alex never did.

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