My son is now 17 years old. Our lives have flown by from the time he was first diagnosed. It started with a misdiagnosis and changing doctors to find the adhd/odd diagnosis and many appointments, therapies, medicine and hard work put into my commitment to my child.
But along the way he grew up, learned from things, we found a medicine that worked and got him regular adjustments at a chiropractor. He grew like a weed, started to learn how to organize, prioritize his work and school and now juggles a job, school and is currently in the middle of being in his high school musical.
He has a lot of friends and that was confirmed at his IEP meeting in February with how well he is doing. They even removed some items from his IEP because he is self navigating his school work and keeping organized. He has plans for what college he wants to go to and is driven to do what he needs to do to achieve it.
It has been a true joint effort because even though as his mom I have put a lot of time, research, talking, and effort into pushing him to get to where he is I know he has put a lot of hard work into it himself. The goal is to have a caring, self-sufficient, happy adult who can be kind to others and provide for himself. He is doing so well and is considerate despite what some lately may thing. He has worked over 15 hour days for weeks and has juggled it all. At 17 I am very proud of the young man he is becoming.
So any other parent out there who has a young child (he was diagnosed at age 9) just know that if you put in the work alongside your child you will see big payoffs for them. It isn't easy, you are not the only one who have faced it and I don't now why its you and your child. Don't give up. You are allowed to cry and be frustrated and feel tired. You are allowed to want to scream and wish things were different. But they are not. You've got this. You can work with them and just know the journey to see them blossom is so worth it. You're a good mom/dad.
