Reply to What do the teenage years look like for a DD with ADHD?

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[quote=Anonymous]
DD HAS ADHD COMBINE TYPE
My daughter is a 17-year-old high school senior, and the road here has not been easy. She missed out on a real 7th-grade experience because of COVID, and her challenges in school started even earlier.

In elementary school, she had her ups and downs. She got in trouble a few times and even spoke with the principal, but I don’t think she ever received an official referral since she was on medication. I still remember looking back at her old journals from those years — her handwriting, her thoughts, her little reflections. They remind me that even though she struggled, she was just a kid trying to figure things out.

By middle school, the behavior started showing more. In 6th grade, she received a few referrals for not listening and acting out. By 8th grade, it grew to three disciplinary referrals, and high school only became tougher.

Freshman year, she failed Spanish because she didn’t do her work, and her test scores were low. She barely passed Biology and English with D’s, while her other grades were a mix of C’s, B’s, and A’s. Sophomore year was even harder. She stopped taking her medication because she hated how it made her feel, and her grades dropped sharply. She failed three classes and was suspended for fighting. She insisted it wasn’t really a fight, just joking around with a friend, but the school didn’t see it that way. She also picked up more referrals for skipping class and acting out. We grounded her, but it didn’t seem to get through.

High school also took a social toll. Because of her behavior and immaturity, she lost many friends along the way. Watching her struggle not just with academics, but also with friendships, has been one of the hardest parts as a parent.

Junior year showed some improvement. She was still getting referrals — for her phone, for being late, for small behavior issues — but it wasn’t as bad as before. Now, as a senior, she’s made a big decision: she started taking her medication again. She knows that if she wants to graduate, she needs to stay focused. It won’t be easy — she has to pass five classes this year to earn her diploma.

But here’s what I know: she’s smart enough. She’s capable enough. And most importantly, she’s starting to realize what’s at stake and what she has to do. Many of her teachers have been kind and supportive, always willing to give her another chance. My hope is that she can lean on that support, keep believing in herself, and finish strong. Her story hasn’t been simple, but I believe it can still have a hopeful ending.[/quote]

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