So my first experiences of ADHD (little did I know) were in Primary school. I'm not sure what age exactly but I can just remember the teachers coming up behind me and startling me by shaking the
back of my chair or clapping or clicking their fingers loudly next to me because I had "zoned out" whilst they were talking... Looking out of a window or probably just into the void lol! Wherever
I was at that moment in time, I was DEFINITELY not in that room until they brought me crashing back haha!
I would say about 8 out of 10 of my teachers commented about my "lack of concentration" in my end of year school reports. A tell-tale sign which, back in those days, went completely under the
radar, what with ADHD boys being outspoken, outrageous and very very naughty...
But then there was me... a sweet, shy, freckly auburn haired little girl with a daydream problem! The awareness of ADHD in girls was next to none back in the 90's so there was no way anyone could
have figured that one out.
Then, one parent's evening, a teacher spoke to my parents and told them that she had seen this type of "zoning out" before in a child with a mild form of Epilepsy called Petit Mal. The
teacher and the Head advised that my parents should have me tested in case this could be the answer.. And that's exactly what they did.
I saw so many doctors, consultants and professionals and underwent all sorts of tests.. I'll never forget having sticky gel all over my head and wires going all over the place. It was weird and I
didn't like it but I knew they were only trying to help figure something out.
Around this age my parents divorced and my Grandma would look after me an awful lot whilst my mom worked long hours to keep food on the table. My Grandma was a little old fashioned and quite matter-of-fact about it all so when my mom couldn't get time off for one of my appointments, my Grandma took me and told the professionals that there was nothing wrong with me and that it was all nonsense and that was the end of that!!