DD w/ ADHD was so anxious about school that we had meltdowns every day right as we were ready to go to school. We finally got past that, but she was so disengaged from learning that even I started to doubt her intellectual abilities. 2 month ago, her teacher challenged her to do something different, and study something on her own. She spent 10 days immersed in her chosen subject (ancient China), came up with a layout, drew maps and selected pictures to illustrate her research. She then presented her project to the class, and did apparently a fine job -- the same kid who had refused to make eye contact with anyone, and was always hiding behind her classmates. Since then, she's been on a roll. She is devouring books she's been too afraid to tackle before, has breezed through the same math word problems that had been inexplicably impossible to do before, and is taking ownership over her study habits. She's beaming with pride and confidence!

All these years, we've been asking the school to give her a challenge and allow her to meet that challenge, and all these years we've met a wall of "she meets the grade, but is uninterested in school. She is not challenge material, but we will slow things down for her if you'd like -- exactly the opposite of what works with her". This teacher has made such a great difference with a few simple words! I am beyond proud of my child... and beyond grateful to her teacher.

my 7 yo DS who has received tons of ST for a speech delay, now uses who, where and when when asking questions without being prompt. He started using questions a couple of months ago, and I can't tell you how happy we are.

He is getting the idea of language!

My 2 1/2 yo DS who has very significant communications delays called me Mom a few months back. He's never called me that.

This email from DS's teacher sums up the last few months beautifully. I'm so happy that my son is finally doing well in school after starting medication for his ADHD:

I just had to tell you how proud I was of Little Johnny earlier today. We had an activity where the children had to pick a black and white animal from a story we read yesterday, write down four facts from the story and then create the animal out of black and white construction paper. Not only did he finish the project beautifully, he had 5 minutes to spare!! He beamed from ear to ear when I told him how proud I was of him. Then he told me "My mom is giving me this pill that is helping me to focus better." I asked him if he thought it was helping. He said, "it is." I think this is the first time he has completed a project on time and staying on task the entire time!! Yay!!!!

DS who absolutely hates music classes of any kinds, avoids musical theater, and is extremely antsy during any musical performance, sat calmly throughout last and entire week and yesterday gave his music teacher a hug. The teacher completely melted and said that as a reward for his great behavior, she will play him any song he wants. He asked for the "Star Wars" theme.

Keep them coming. I've got tears of joy just reading these.

My DS who has the worst eye contact, who never says hello or thank you, greeted his teachers yesterday and today with "Hello, Ms. XXX!" Poor IA almost burst into tears and had to write me an e-mail today.