One of my students is a boy in grade 8 who is diagnosed with ADHD.  He could be a poster child.  He stole my heart this fall - am I allowed to say that about a student?  He is a sweet boy.  He also can drive a teacher stark raving mad in less than 60 seconds.  He cannot sit in a chair, he cannot control what comes out of his mouth, he speaks out, constantly insults other students, picks on the weak, does absolutely no work, despite the ability to do so.  He has little to no impulse control. 

Despite all that we've established a connection this year.  He knows that I'm his ally, that I will go to bat for him and work within his abilities, but that I won't tolerate him harassing other students.  He exhausts me daily, but I think he's worth it.  Mom is very angry at the school because she feels that over the last few years she has been blamed, and considered an unfit mother.  I'm new, so so far I haven't been a target for that anger.

A week ago, last Friday, I was sitting with him at the computers.  He came in upset and I gave him 10 min to do what he wanted on the computer before getting down to school work.  He was muttering to himself and started to say something was "retarded".  He stopped himself (huge for him!!!!).  My students know I will not tolerate that word, they know that I have a son who is disabled, and I will not let them use that word in any manner, joking or not.  So he stopped himself (huge) and then apologized to me (wow!). 

Monday comes - he is doing work, he is helping other students, his hair is even combed.  He is still silly, sweet and goofy, but he's being productive.  Mid-week.  Other teachers are commenting - my teaching partner saw him one day and asked if he'd been away all week since she hadn't noticed him.  He is asking to stay in and get help, to be able to get his work done.  He asked to stay after school yesterday so he could get his homework done because he doesn't have a computer at home.  He is helping to protect a new student who is very vulnerable. 

What's happened?  Is it my superior teaching?  Wish I could take credit.  When I was speaking to him this week and complimenting him on his change in behaviour and attitude he told me he started taking Ritalin.  His mom doesn't want anyone to know. 

You know, I'm not a huge fan of drug use for children.  I think we should always try and change the system to meet the needs of the learner, not change the learned to meet the needs of the system.  But this one boy and this one treatment are a match.  It's like the fog has cleared from in front of him and he can see again.  I have never seen such a dramatic change in a child.  He is able to be his true self, work at being the best he can be because all the extraneous noise is gone from his brain. 

For this one boy, this one medicine has made a big difference.  Wish I could hug him and tell him how proud I am of him.