Looking at the picture below, you'd think, "What a good brother! He's reading to his brother and sister." When I look at this picture, I see more than just that. I see a miracle. I see a blessing. I see answered prayers and opened doors.
My son has ADHD. Last year, he was in second grade and could barely read. I never even knew he was so far behind, I just thought he hated to read. It wasn't until my daughter was in Kindergarten that I learned she was expected to be able to read what my son was doing in the beginning of second grade at the end of her school year and heading to first grade.
I thought that what my son was doing was normal, after all, I didn't know how to read until I had my "aha!" moment, either. I thought that one day it would just click.
After learning how far behind he was, we got him started on his diagnosis journey. We had gone through many rough patches before we found a good solution that worked well for him. The change was almost immediate. With help from a sight words wall, he was finally picking up on his sight words and then easily learning the rest.
Related- An Easy Way To Teach Your Child To Read
By the end of the school year, my son had learned three years worth of reading and writing because he suddenly understood.
He wasn't having tantrums anymore because he wasn't embarrassed to be called on at school.
He doesn't need me to read captions and titles for him anymore. Because he can do it on his own.
He helps his sister with her homework so I can cook dinner and he enjoys reading to his siblings.
We haven't ventured very far into chapter books without pictures, yet, although we've been trying to read the Box Car Children. It's ok, though, because I know he can do it.
So yes, when I see him reading to my other kids, it feels so sweet and amazing because he couldn't do it before and now he can. We don't struggle to get him to try it because he just does it. If you knew what it was like before, you'd see that miracle and this blessing.
Free ADHD Blog Resource of 5 different websites for parents of children with ADHD
Here is a list of his favorite books if you're interested:
What are some things that your child struggled with?
What worked for you to get your child to learn?
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(P.S.- As a blogger, I realize that sharing and promotion is EVERYTHING in order to build up traffic to your blog. I'm use Tailwind to help promote my blog posts. In order to Niche Down, I also created a Tailwind tribe for moms who have children with ADHD. If you're interested in joining the tribe community, our tribe would love to have you! Click to Join ADHD Mom .)
So awesome. Reading is the best. My son has ADHD so reading can be tricky for him as well. He loved the Captain Underpants series.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad that he likes to read those, too!
DeleteThis is great, very insightful. I am sharing your post across my social network, thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post I am glad you found an aha moment to help lead towards a love of reading.
ReplyDeleteHe's so creative and likes to draw. Now, he's been making his own little comics.
DeleteSo glad you found that "aha" moment! I know the struggle. My older son has ADHD and reading had actually been a struggle for him up through 4th grade. He actually hated it. But I was so happy and tickled that earlier this year (6th grade) he has been picking up books at the library to read. He just finished the Maze Runner series!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful! I'm so glad that your son has picked it up. As parents, it can feel awful to see your children struggle.
DeleteMy son has been calling his cousin on Messenger and his cousin loves the Box Car Children, so I hoped that maybe he'd try more of the chapter books with no pictures, but he isn't there yet. Hopefully, with time he will.
I don't have kiddos with adhd but my girlfriend does and I am totally sharing this with her!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteAs a former teacher and a mom, I can sympathize with your struggles. I'm so glad that he found that aha moment - it's special to see!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's very special to see every day!
DeleteI am so happy for your son and your family in whole! I bet it was very hard and nervous to go through. I was a slow learner when it went for reading (I still read slow which doesn't bother me at all).
ReplyDeleteThank you! The hardest thing was that he would read too slow that he forgot what he had already read.
DeleteThis is such a great post. I know of a friend who's son is having a problem reading because of ADHD. I'll be sure to pass this post along.
ReplyDeleteThanks! There will be an "Aha" moment someday and that friend's son will just take off!
DeleteIn contrast, ADHD affects learning on a whole. ... It will affect the children when they are reading because it affects every cognitive function.” ADHD has a huge impact on the focus of activity of those with the condition. The process u r applying is great.
ReplyDeleteThe ADHD brain moves too quickly to pay attention so if they are reading slowly, they can't comprehend. Repetition is great for this.
DeleteReading has helped me so much as a kid. At home, at school, etc. Helps train your focus, grammar, spelling, etc... and it is quite fun reading to others too!
ReplyDeleteReading really helps with creativity and so many other things, too!
DeleteI loved reading about this beautiful story. I struggle with health problems and I've come a long way since I was diagnosed, it's truly a blessing!Didn't think i could make it this far.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your health problems. I don't know your story, but I hope it's something you'll be able to overcome!
DeleteOh I love this, what a great post and so useful to so many people going through the same. I relate to so much of this.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It hard when it's something that you go through, but it's even harder to see someone you love go through it .
DeleteOne of my friend looking for this, her kid is not able to read. I am sharing this blog with her.
ReplyDeleteMy baby is just an year old but your post is really inspiring. I shall bookmark it for future reference.
ReplyDeleteI hope your baby will never have the same problems that my son has, but it he/she ever does, that "aha" moment will be even sweeter!
DeleteReading is so important! I am glad you have found a way to teach it that works for your son.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I know there are people who have made it through all of school without knowing how to read and it baffles me because even math problems have some sort of reading to them.
DeleteMy nephew has ADHD and it is too tough to read him story books or any other book. Waiting for that Aha moment
ReplyDeleteAwww! I hope it comes soon! It can be really frustrating for all involved and so awesome when the moment does come.
DeleteDid you know Dav Pilkey, the author of Dog Man and Captain Underpants, created CU while he was a kid in school because he had ADHD and hated reading? I'm so glad that your son has had success! That is such an important feeling for kids to help them love reading - if they feel successful, they're going to enjoy it more!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that! I'll have to tell my son, this. He was so upset when he first got diagnosed because he thought there was something wrong with him. I had to tell him that there wasn't and that many people who have ADHD have very creative and successful careers. Thanks for sharing this information with us!
DeleteWe love reading books. Sometimes the key is to find that perfect book to get our kids attention
ReplyDeleteIt's so awesome that you guys found your 'aha' moment! My son will be 3 in a couple months so he is still learning toddler things, but most often hands on learning and repetition is what helps him learn the most. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Repetition is great, but also make sure you mix it up. My kids are notorious for memorizing the pattern, but if you mixed up the words, they wouldn't be able to tell you anything.
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ReplyDeleteI wanted to thank you for this great article.
Thank you!
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