Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Lynn Fraser's avatar

I'm so glad you pointed out that none of us is 'normal', Alex, whatever that is supposed to be.

I read this piece with interest as my eldest son is exploring the possibility that he has ADD/ASD - having gone through all his school reports from nursery through to leaving, there are clues there. Since he wasn't disruptive, he slipped through the net. It's a shame because, as you rightly point out, getting an adult diagnosis in the UK is a tortuous process.

From the reading I've done, I've also decided my husband has ADHD. His response - so what, what difference does it make. I agree with that to an extent - he clearly has his coping mechanisms that he has gathered through life. But what he forgets is that it makes a difference to me. I'm on the other side of how his brain works etc. It provides an explanation as to why, at times, he doesn't function in the way most other folks do. It allows me to try to change my thought process or try to understand why he reacts the way he does and try to temper my reactions to his, at times, very frustrating behaviour.

Expand full comment
Susie Mawhinney's avatar

This is a phenomenal read Alex. And yes, I agree with absolute relief, we are none of us normal anymore, whether we have a professional diagnosis to verify this or otherwise, life isn’t such that we can be.

We each have our foibles, our crosses!

I find, especially working with children that do have labels, though I question the benefit of such a thing, that in fact each of them has something that is special, even those without.

I believe everyone, put under the microscope, would leave with an acronym attached.

“Accept the darkness is there, then begin the process of banishing it by lighting up all around you—starting with yourself.”

This is our true work!

Expand full comment
17 more comments...

No posts