by Judith Bonawitz

Created on: March 29, 2009

Why does this world have to put a label on everything and everyone? I'm sick of people saying, stay away from that person or child because they have ADHD, AIDS, and the list goes on. No is the answer. Just because your child has a friend with ADHD doesn't put your child in danger. If that was so. My daughter would have put her brother and sisters in danger. She is more like a mother hen when they are out side playing. My daughter had a friend over one day. I remember that her friend was not going by the rules of the house. She was more concerned for her friend's safety. I thank God that she did the right thing. No, I don't have my child on medicine for ADHD because sometimes it does more harm then good.

When she was younger. It took telling her several times this is the way you do things. Children are not the only ones that have a problem with ADHD. Adults you may work with may have the adult ADHD. You may not even know about. Children are children and they are all going to do some things wrong in life no matter if they have ADHD or not. Be there when your child's friend comes to the house to play. See how they are playing. Pick up on that child's strengths. Let us say, this child likes to play kickball. Start a game up and show the children where he or she can't go. Do the same with all the children that want to play. So that child doesn't feel he or she is being pointed out because of ADHD. Adults that don't understand or know about ADHD. Always thinks the worst. This is wrong. If you don't understand ADHD. Study up on it. Yes, some people have had problems because they didn't know what to do. Or how to handle a child that has ADHD.

I help out at a center that most of the children have ADHD. They are no different from the other children. Yes, they can be a hand full. If you take the time to find out what they are good at. It makes it nicer. Now when I go to the center. The teacher is happy to see me. I get hugs from all the children and smiles. I remember when we had a fire drill. It was cold and rainy outside. When the children heard the alarm. They didn't care about coats. The children that where getting their coats. Some of the children that have ADHD. Went over to their friends and stated you don't have the time to get coats on. We all need to get outside to a safe place. They where more concerned about their friends being safe. This center has children from 1 year old up to 5 years old. When you work with a child that has ADHD. Good things happen. I wish more people would write about the good things that they do. You hear more bad things then good. When you teach a child that has ADHD the right way. Yes, it does work. I have one child that loves to sit in my lap and hear me read. I make funny voices and make everyone smile. Then I have a child at a time telling me a story in a funny voice.

My daughter that has ADHD also helps out at the center and enjoys reading books, playing at the playground, and just helping out. To me there is no difference. They are just more active then normal. Just watch the sugars in food, drinks, and snacks. The more time you have a child with ADHD is keeping he or she busy. You will find out what you have been missing out. There are times that I laugh and smile more then I did before. So don't be scared because your child's friend has ADHD. Find the joy of having a child that has ADHD around you. They may have a chance to show you and teach you that life, love, and caring come in all sizes, ages, and from the heart.

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