Dyslexia ADDventures

I knew LD/ADHD is genetic only after my daughter was assessed for it. However, you can catch the signs much earlier if you’re observant. You instinctively know something is ‘off’ by the time the child is two and a half to 3 years old. I never knew anything about Dyslexia , LD , or ADHD . In my case, the revelation did not appear like a bolt from the clear blue sky, but was a gradual affirmation of all I felt and knew was ‘off’ with my daughter. Much of the knowledge I gained is in hindsight, but it is knowledge which empowered me to advocate for my child. Here’s what my child did: Kicked like crazy and moved constantly in the womb. Remained in the womb even after 9 months.   Just made the minimum birth weight cut off. She spoke very early, by 8-9 months (many children also have delayed speech, beyond 2 years). She did not crawl, instead she waddled on her knees like a penguin on roller skates. And then, one day (11-12 months) she stood up and ran. She couldn’t s...

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 ...