‘High-risk’ Children

Nine years ago when my daughter was assessed for ADHD and Dyslexia she was five years old, my husband was 33. For him our daughter’s ‘diagnosis’ was like cool droplets of rain on a hot summer day. Blessed relief! He realised he was not weird or crazy. The diagnosis gave him a better perspective of his struggle as a young adult in school. Many of his inadequacies as an adult now seemed solvable and something he could deal with. It was only learning difficulty and he could cope with that! My way of coping was to equip myself with knowledge. I devoured books on ADHD and Dyslexia. (I think all of us have LD in a fashion! But when it comes in the way of daily living and impedes the ability to realise our potential, we have to seek help.)

I understood Learning Disability (LD)/ADHD is primarily genetic and runs in families. I saw a pattern. My husband and father-in-law. At least three immediate blood relatives of my father-in-law (I don’t want to name them). I am not even looking at a generation or two before. My daughter is first born and first born children of an LD/ADHD parent have a greater chance of being LD/ADHD. (My husband is first born too!) Children in these families have a greater risk or possibility of having LD/ADHD.

What does all this information convey? LD/ADHD is primarily genetic. Correct. But most important: Early diagnosis and remedial strategies are necessary to help the child cope with LD/ADHD so she can integrate into mainstream education, realise her potential and contribute to her environment as a healthy adult.