Did you know that October is ADHD Awareness Month and also National Bullying Prevention Month? I didn't know either until the public relations from Brain Balance contacted us and let us know that to help raise awareness for these things, they wanted Kalie to appear with Dr. DeVito (the director at Brain Balance) on the Fox 5 News More Show. This past Monday, Kalie did just that. She was so, so nervous. She didn't talk the entire time we were there. As soon as we left the studio she took a deep breath and said " Mom, that was soo cool! I want to go on TV everyday". It was a fun experience, and so cool to raise awareness.
Since going through this journey with Kalie I have become much more aware of children with learning challenges, and much more sympathetic. It is so important to me that these children get the help they need and that they are not judged for things that they didn't choose to have. The biggest way to help is to be encouraging and to have PATIENCE. Believe me, when I say, that patience is key to helping children like Kalie. When we have bad days I look back at my behavior, not just Kalie's. Was I patient enough with her today? If the answer was no, then that's probably why she was quick to get angry, because I was quick to get angry. Not all kids learn the same way. Some things aren't going to come to them as quickly as a child that's completely balanced, and we need to be aware of that, and have patience with them.
I think that sometimes, a lot of times, these children are so misunderstood. Like I said, they didn't choose to be that way and it's frustrating to them as well that they have a harder time at things that are easy for the child sitting next to them. Just yesterday, Kalie asked us why she was born the way she was. It took all my strength to hold back my shaky voice and tears. Through this process, the question has come up "Why can't I have that to eat and they can?" and so to answer her question I would tell her it was just the way the Heavenly Father made her. The answer was always good enough for her and I never thought she would ask why Heavenly Father made her that way. I looked at her father, hoping he would have something quick and genius to say but..he didn't. I looked at her and told her "Heavenly Father knew that you would be a strong enough little girl to be able to eat different things and handle it, when other little girls wouldn't be strong enough like her." It seemed to help because she smiled and moved on saying "Did you know that I tied running with a boy today?" :)
She's definitely aware that she has some challenges that not everyone has and so I feel that more than ever, I need to be her #1 fan and encourage her so that she can have confidence, especially as she gets older.
So as this month goes on, please be aware. If you are a teacher, try not to get so frustrated with the child that is disruptive, unfocused, the child that is easy to upset or lay their head down in frustration. Please try to be patient and be aware. Please remember that that little boy, or little girl just needs a little extra time, some encouragement. It really wouldn't be the end of the world to give it, would it? If you are in a store and see a mom with four kids and one is acting out, please don't judge (the child or the mom). Instead, be aware that maybe that child has ADHD. These kids need us to be their support, they need us to be aware.
For more info on how to help go here.
