Our daughter, Hannah, is a wonderful, bubbly child who often has a little too much energy. Last year, she was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Her diagnosis was not unexpected. She has been almost constantly in motion since birth!

ADHD is often misunderstood by the general public. I’ve spent many hours reading books, online resources and even message boards about ADHD. There are almost as many suggestions for how to “fix” a child with ADHD as there are kids themselves, so I really don’t want to get into the medical side of the disorder. The problems associated with ADHD are real, but a child is far more than any disease, disorder or disability.

I have been blessed to find some amazing support from people who have come into my life with children who also have ADD/ADHD. One of my nieces was diagnosed with ADHD nearly 12 years ago. She is now a bright young woman who has many stories, both positive and negative, to tell about her early years. She is, of course, an inspiration to my own daughter. Hannah also has a little boy in her class this year who has ADHD. He is one of the most positive, upbeat kids you could ever meet! His attitude has helped Hannah understand that she can not only live with ADHD, but also thrive as she faces its challenges.

There are almost as many suggestions for how to “fix” a child with ADHD as there are kids themselves, so I really don’t want to get into the medical side of the disorder. The problems associated with ADHD are real, but a child is far more than any disease, disorder or disability.

Hannah and her friend also attend karate classes together. It is a great fit for a child with hyperactivity. Karate allows children with ADHD to learn to control their body movements and handle stress and anxiety in a natural way.

There are numerous online resources that provide parents with medical information, reading sources and the support of others who have children with ADHD. A good place to start is Chadd.org. This site not only provides lots of information, but also helps with finding local ADHD support groups. If you are interested in a Christian perspective on ADHD, Christianadhd.com has wonderful articles on treating ADHD naturally as well as resources for deciding whether medication is right for your child. For online support, ADHD groups on Cafemom.com and Dailystrength.org have excellent message boards.

Recently, I’ve been checking out books on the subject of ADHD. One of the best books out there, for basic information, is The ADHD Parenting Handbook: Practical Advice for Parents from Parents. While reading this book, I began to realize just how common my questions about parenting a child with ADHD really are.

My daughter is such an ordinary little girl in so many ways. She loves to play dress up with her best friend. Recently, she learned to ride her bike without training wheels, and give her a pool and a swimsuit and she will happily stay in the water for hours! The fact that she is so energetic has proven to be a gift instead of a hindrance in so many ways.

For too long, I was focused on her diagnosis and how ADHD seemed to make life more difficult for us as a family. Every conference with a teacher in which I heard the same words about her difficulty to focus and remain seated, and every glare directed at my daughter in a restaurant or other public place, seemed to intensify my feelings of inadequacy as her mother. Why couldn’t I just “fix” her?

I don’t remember the exact moment when I realized that I was focusing on the wrong thing. Maybe I was the one who needed fixing! ADHD is just a small part of who my daughter is. Since I have been focusing on her wonderful qualities, she has begun to blossom in so many ways. And so have I.

This post was written by Lee Ann T., a LessonPathways.com volunteer blog contributor.  You can read more about Lee Ann, and the rest of our volunteer bloggers by visiting the “Our People” page.