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Eran's Story

Eran Devine talks about her son Davin’s school journey before and during ADHD diagnosis.

“When your child starts school, they’re told it’s a magical time. They’re going to make friends and learn new things and have so much fun. When their experience is one of fear, anxiety and shame, it’s devastating…not just for the parents, but for the child as well.”

Life was already complicated before Davin’s ADHD diagnosis, but before too long, the family was receiving frequent phone calls. Within the first month, the school suggested that Davin move from SK into JK. The family agreed, but still things worsened. Endless reports from school documented his daily struggles: outbursts, melt downs, attempts to leave the classroom and school yard.

The family was given basic information about children with ADHD. Reports stated that Davin had difficulty with everything. Eran shares, “The happy moments? We weren’t hearing about those. It was very much negative feedback.”

The family started having meetings with the school staff. Eran thought that the goal was going to be to create a plan to support Davin in the classroom, or at the very least, the school would provide her with information on how to move forward.

“Instead, the meetings were very unstructured and unorganized. Five staff members took turns to tell me everything they thought was negative or everything they thought was wrong about my son who I love very dearly. It was really difficult to go through those meetings and continue to try to work in partnership with the school staff.”

Eran's heart broke every time Davin would come home stating negative comments about himself. “At an age where a child should not have that type of stress and anxiety related to going to school, it was an experience that was breaking him and it was breaking us as well.”

Her helpless feelings were intensified as she tried to navigate a complex system of programs - many of which the family wasn't eligible for with Davin's recent ADHD diagnosis.

“It was difficult, you feel helpless and I didn't know where to look next. I think it's really apparent that we're grossly under supporting and underfunding ADHD. Supports are necessary; it's an emergency that we need to be supporting and moving forward with giving people a place to reach out to and feel included.”

Managing ADHD at school requires a positive team approach because everyone experiences different symptoms depending on their own unique diagnosis. Especially for young children, it takes time to assess impairments, implement strategies and ask for accommodations.

By working together to advocate and educate for families like Eran's, we can all succeed.

When you make a gift, you provide the funds for ADHD education programming that support individuals and families like Eran's as they learn how to best support their children and gain skills for themselves. Your support has the power to touch so many lives.

Please make the difference in someone’s life. Donate today!

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