The realization of a problem

I always knew something was not right with Johnathon. At 3 he started pre-school and never wanted to listen. He was violent with his teachers, other kids and never followed rules. At 4 he would have melt-downs at the slightest change in his routine. He was energetic and always talked a lot.
When he started Kindergarten he would have rages and throw things and rip up things. I asked teachers and counselors what could be wrong and everyone said he was bored and needed to be kept busy. He got suspended and couldn't concentrate on work and his penmanship was horrible. He was reading though. He was reading very well.

Halfway through first grade I took him to a psychologist who claimed he didn't sound ADHD just that he was too smart and didn't match well with his teacher. So of course I didn't push it even though I knew there was an issue. I mean he was reading at a 2-3rd grade level in 1st grade.

Finally I stepped in. I realized Johnathon was getting in trouble in recess and lunch mainly and that would set the mood for the rest of his day. I started spending every recess and lunch supervising and quickly realized he was already labeled as the bad kid and trouble maker. No one saw what was done to him, only what he did back. So I put a stop to it and made them realize he wasn't the one causing the issues. This stopped his rages almost instantly.

Johnathon started 2nd grade and the teachers were optimistic. I started him on Attentive Child and fish oils to try and help him. About 4m in it was evident it wasn't enough. He was talking back, not doing work and having crying spells. We worked on a plan to help him and I thought things were going okay. About a month ago I sat down with his teachers and they basically told me they were about to give up on him. They said he should be able to get through class without acting how he does. FINALLY someone was honest with me. FINALLY after all this time someone agreed something was wrong. So I made the dreaded appointment.

On March 11 he was finally evaluated for ADHD. It is so evident that he has it.

Our journey to help him began. I have spent countless hours trying to find ways to help him.

I have started this journal as an outlet for myself. I realized, during this process, that I don't really have any friends, here physically, that understand and that know what we are going through, and I really need an outlet so I can continue to help him.

I hope that this journal will help others understand Johnathon more and why we are choosing the path we are.

My awesome kid got himself dressed without a struggle today so I had a moment to sit down and write this.