ADHD in Action

Kayla was diagnosed with ADHD about 2 years ago. Initially we decided not to medicate her with prescription drugs - mainly because of the side affects. However we're starting to reconsider that because I know not being able to focus and concentrate is affecting her at school and impacting her ability to absorb and learn new concepts. We see it every day when we try to work with her for 5 minutes at the kitchen table on school work. I can only imagine what a full school day is like for her. But to medicate or not to medicate is for another post.

Today is a glimpse into what I imagine to be a classic example of ADHD.

Kayla was in a drama camp this summer. She was one of 3 mice in the adaptation of The Hare and Tortoise. In this video clip you can see how distracted, and not so focused on the scene, she is with her shadow on the wall and her mouse tail. Lucas is sitting in the front row in the gray shirt with black stripes. She's trying to show him her tail.

She doesn't typically like anything in her hair, it doesn't help that the headband ears are slightly too large for her head. Throughout the whole play she kept taking the headband off and on, off and on, and adjusting her hair over and over and over to the point it was making me want to pull my own hair out!

While all of that is going on she does manage to get most of her lines. Even though in this clip a couple of her lines are said while she's facing the wall and not the other actors! Oh well - at least she knew it was her turn to speak and remembered her lines. Although one of her lines "We have ideas!" she missed her cue, but then came back with "Great ideas".

In case you can't hear it very well her first line is "where's my shoe?" After the "great ideas" she says "and kind", "he stole my shoe", followed by "we're underfoot".

I love this girl - Down syndrome, ADHD, and all! She makes me laugh in this video, it's just so Kayla.