Ariane Hébert - ADHD as Told to Children: Written by Ariane Hébert, psychologist

I have what ?

You have ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which also affects your impulse control.

My name is Leo, and Im nine years old. My mom brought me to the psychologist, after discussing it with my father and my teacher. All three of them were concerned about some of my behaviour. I do have to admit that Ive had the impression of being different for a long time now.

Im naturally enthusiastic and good-humoured, but I often get ANGRY very suddenly and for trivial things. My anger takes even me by surprise. I can feel it rising and bubbling within me, like hot lava about to burst from a volcano.

I can moan, groan, pout, be a grouch, or fly off the handle simply because Im asked to do my homework, to stop playing video games, or to go to bed. Even my kid brother, who always wants to be near me, gets on my NERVES !

At school, if I dont understand a math problem, I can throw my pencil to the ground or melt into tears in front of all the other students. Its so embarrassing! Sometimes, I shove the others in the hallway. Or Im gruff with my friends, even though I value them and I try to be nice.

And those are just a few of the situations that IRRITATE me.

I hate it when I have a fit, but I cant control myself. Its terrible to feel like my emotions have so much power over me!

Does that mean that Im crazy ? Leo asks the psychologist.

Not at all, Leo! Its completely normal. Your ADHD makes you like a werecat. Sometimes youre enthusiastic, mischievous, and gentle like a kitten, but any random event can cause you to be become a WEREWOLF . Your fangs and your claws start to grow, and you find yourself growling and screaming. Youd like to remain calm, but its beyond your control and you cant stop the transformation. When you revert to your kitten state, you feel ashamed and sad.

In the car, EN ROUTE to school, after we leave the psychologists office, Mom asks me:

My cousin Justine is so calm and SLOW in everything that she does. When the bell rings at school, shes always the last one dressed. She often runs out of time and doesnt finish her work in class or even her meal at lunchtime. One day she missed the bus because she had spent a verrrrrrry long time in front of the mirror in the bathroom, singing and making faces at her reflection.

Justine says that her thoughts take flight and flit around in her head, like a cloud of butterflies that she cant stop herself from admiring. She forgets what shes doing and doesnt even hear the instructions or explanations that are given to her. Other times, she cant not notice everything going on around her. The slightest noise bothers her, and she struggles to stay focused for extended periods.

When she reads, she doesnt understand everything and cant remember the story. She tends to fail dictation tests in class, even if she studied the night before. I remember one night hearing my uncle relate how Justine sometimes cried after her remedial education tutoring sessions. My cousin believed she was STUPID and was afraid that others thought she was lazy.

Justine is very imaginative and creative, but her ADD transforms her into a little turtle, explains my mom. Just as a turtle hides in its shell, your cousin takes refuge in her own THOUGHTS . At those times, its hard for her to pay attention to her environment. Other times, shes like a weather-vane being blown in every direction , sensitive to every little stimulation, trying to not miss anything. Shed like to behave differently, but she cant change. Justines been taking medication to help her keep her head out of her shell, so that she can hear what goes on around her without getting overwhelmed.

But I wont need medication, right, Mom?

Not for now, you big cat. Maybe one day but not yet.

At school, I immediately run to join up with my friends in the playground. Meanwhile, my mom finds Mr. Lemay to discuss things.

Emma hangs from her legs, TOPSY-TURVY , on the jungle gym.

Emma, youll get a red ticket if the supervisor sees you doing acrobatics!

I know, I know Its not easy being full of buzz like I am!

Emma was also diagnosed with ADHD after her parents, who thought theyd brought a tireless grasshopper into the world rather than a little girl, consulted with a specialized nurse. She explained to them that Emmas hyperactivity made her incapable of staying put. She needs to be in constant motion, to run or to JUMP . Her hands and feet never stay still, and she touches everything within reach. She chews her pencils, reduces her eraser to crumbs , makes weird noises with her mouth, and wriggles in her seat as if she were sitting on a nest of ants. Shes never boring, and she overflows with energy.