Exams and ADHD

It has been more than year since I updated this blog. It's not because nothing noteworthy happened, but because we have been really busy with school and studies. But sometimes I feel there isn't much to show for our efforts. It has always been the same. It's such a struggle for a kid with ADHD.

My son will turn 15 this August and has monthly tests and quarterly exams in school. As soon as one is over, preparations for the next one starts. And we both, mother and son slog it out. Each time, I feel confident that he would really get good marks for his efforts. So the next few days following the exam are spent in happiness and satisfaction.

And then the dreaded day arrives - the results! We would go to his school to meet his class teacher for his results. There we see other parents. If I can help it, I would never mingle with other parents. Many of them are discussing how well their kids have done. I overheard a parent say, "This time my son didn't do well. I couldn't teach him because I was busy with our house construction. So, he did not get more than 90% in one subject."

His school principal comes that way looks at me as though at some lowly creature. She definitely doesn't believe in ADHD and gives me the impression that she thinks I don't really care to help the kids with their studies. While wallowing in self pity, I also think about the boy. He has worked so hard, studied so well and did well in all subjects - except Maths, in which he failed by a few marks. He has to take a retest just a week before his school reopens, which means he has to study all through his summer holidays. Summer trips and visit to friends have long been forgotten.

This time I was somehow really hopeful that he would do well in Maths and that it would boost his confidence. Poor boy had worked so hard. But then we are again where we started. We still have two more weeks for the retest. And I feel so helpless. It's the same feeling again. So, there we are...