Spotlight

Julie Hentz
Health Communication Science Office

When my son Miguel was 4 years old, teachers started counseling me that he might be affected by ADHD. They encouraged me to seek a medical opinion. Miguel was my first child. I had no point of comparison and fully believed his bubbly, nonstop energy to be happy, healthy, little-boy material. I was completely averse to any thought of giving drugs to such a little child.

As Miguel matured, I noticed that he had difficulty concentrating for any length of time. I worked with him on reading to help him keep up with his classmates. Over the years, we spent more and more time on homework every evening. I received many calls from teachers, and there was a pattern to what they told me: “Miguel is so bright and intelligent, but he can’t seem to concentrate. He’s distracting other children in the class from their work.”

I began thinking that perhaps the teachers had all been correct, that there might be cause for concern. In high school, Miguel’s grades began suffering significantly. The homework demand was overwhelming. The ultimate motivator came when I saw my son sobbing on his bed in frustration, saying, “Mama, I’m not trying to do badly, I want to learn, I want to do better in school.” I immediately made an appointment with a child psychologist.

I completed medical forms for review, as did Miguel’s high school teachers who knew him well. His doctor determined that he did, indeed, have a condition warranting medication. His characteristics were attention deficit, not hyperactivity. He began taking medication and was able to control his use of the drug to those specific hours that demanded concentration.

The transformation was incredible and immediate! His new capabilities for learning and retention were obvious to all, and his grades reflected it. Miguel’s future is brighter as a result of identifying and addressing ADHD. He is proud of his accomplishments. He received acceptance letters from colleges that previously would have been out of reach, thanks to the help of many people who care for him and to his medication.

Miguel is now approaching graduation from college. He stopped using medication 2 years ago, feeling able to control his work and studies without it.

Recognizing the symptoms of ADHD can be a difficult challenge. Symptoms can be subtle or overt. Each child is unique. It requires many people who know the child well, who see the child in a variety of circumstances, to make a collective diagnosis.

Learn more about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) »

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