"Mathew when he was young" By Mathew Martens 2014
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, known as ADHD, is one of the most common neurodevelopment disorders of childhood. (CDC) Many children are known for being distracted and forgetful. However, a child that has ADHD won't be able to grow out of this behavior. ISB is a community that embraces each other’s differences. But how do we really know how to navigate ISB with ADHD?
Matthew Martens, an ISB senior, helped us better understand what his life is like with ADHD. Initially, when he was younger Matthew states that it was hard for him to socialize and he felt like he was an outsider because of his condition. He states that his ADHD was severely worse at a young age because he wasn't mature enough to know how to manage it. KidsHealth.org states that Kids with ADHD have a harder time solving problems because of how young they are. (ADHD and School) Now, being a high school student means that life can be very stressful, especially when balancing school, sports, extracurricular activities., friends, family, etc. School for Matthew can be challenging. When he was younger, Matthew felt that ADHD excused his bad grades. However, as he has been getting older and his ADHD has been getting more manageable, his grades have improved. Matthew states that as he matured, he has found the perfect group of people that he spends his time with in his free time. This group of people has supported and helped him with his condition and made him feel better.
ADHD medication is known to help with focus and hyperactivity. The safest and most popular drug for treating ADHD is stimulants. There are only two stimulant drugs: amphetamine, which is the active component in Adderall, Vyvanse, and other formulations, and methylphenidate, which is the active ingredient in Ritalin, Concerta, and other formulations (Guide to ADHD) Matthew states that he takes a stimulant, though when he does take this medication, it makes him lose his appetite and sometimes become light-headed.
Ultimately, Matthew is at the point in his life where he is very satisfied. He has found his group of people who love and accept him for who he is, he knows that if he needs help with something he can simply ask someone, making him feel both supported and loved. It seems that THIS is how one successfully navigates life at ISB with ADHD.
Citations
“ADHD and School (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth.” Kidshealth.org, 2020, kidshealth.org/en/parents/adhd
CDC. “What Is ADHD?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Jan. 2021, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html#:~:text=ADHD%20is%20one%20of%20the,)%2C%20or%20be%20overly%20active. Accessed 15 Mar. 2023.
“Guide to ADHD Medications.” Child Mind Institute, 23 Feb. 2023, childmind.org/guide/parents-guide-to-adhd-medications/#:~:text=Stimulants%20are%20the%20best%20and,medication%20used%20to%20treat%20ADHD.&text=There%20are%20only%20two%20stimulant,%2C%20Vyvanse%20and%20other%20formulations). Accessed 15 Mar. 2023.