Hi! I’m Karla—teacher, mum, and proud member of the ADHD community.
Ever walk into a room and forget why? Leave your coffee in the microwave... again?! Welcome to my average Tuesday! I'm spillin' the tea on what it's really like to navigate the classroom (and life!) with a brain that's always on the go. Buckle up – it's gonna be a fun ride! If you’re a parent or educator navigating ADHD - yours or your kids’ - this story is for you. At Jo’s Dreamland, we believe in supporting neurodiversity with educational products that inspire learning and creativity.
So, you might be wondering, "What's it like having ADHD and wrangling a room full of energetic kiddos all day?" Well, let's just say it's never a dull moment! Think of it as a slightly chaotic symphony – lots of instruments playing at once, sometimes a little off-key, but always full of heart.
My Journey Living with ADHD: From Childhood to Adulthood
Growing up, I had no idea I was different.
Let's rewind to '98... I was just a bright-eyed second grader, blissfully unaware that my quirky energy had a name. My mom, a teacher herself, was like a superhero when it came to spotting learning differences in other kids. But her own daughter? Let's just say the signs flew under the radar for a bit. Oops!
Then came the choir concert. Picture this: me, standing calmly (for once!) with the altos. My mom's beaming with pride. Suddenly, I vanish! Poof! I'm now belting out soprano notes on the other side of the stage. Then I pop back to the altos. Then back to the sopranos. Musical whack-a-mole, anyone? On stage?! Yeah, that was me!
That's when the penny dropped for my mom. Maybe, just maybe, there was more going on than just a "spirited" personality. A trip to the educational psychologist confirmed it: definitely ADHD! But because my grades were good, medication wasn't on the table just yet.
Fast forward to high school. Exam time. I studied Geography like my life depended on it! I walk into the exam room, flip over the paper, and... wait, what?! Plate tectonics? Gradational forces? I might have used some colourful language when I walked out of there! That's when my parents knew medication was something that needed exploring.
Now, let's talk meds. My very first day I spotted my sister at break and – boom - tears. Uncontrollable, dramatic, completely random tears! Ah, the joys of finding the right dosage.
After university, I ditched the meds altogether. What was the point? Adulting! As chaotic as adulting can be, I figured I could handle it the ADHD way: full tilt, slightly sideways, with a lot of time spent looking for my stuff.
And I adapted wonderfully! My rambling stories became affectionately known as "Karla-stories." I regularly open the microwave to find yesterday’s coffee waiting patiently. And don't even get me started on how often I wander around the house trying to remember what I was doing.
Then, pregnancy happened. "Pregnancy brain" is REAL, people! And when you combine it with ADHD, it's a neurological circus in your uterus! Not to mention, you can't take ADHD meds during pregnancy. So, there I was, trying to function while my brain was doing parkour off the walls!
Now, after giving birth to two beautiful kids and breastfeeding them into toddlerhood, I'm finally back on the medication train and feeling like myself again!
ADHD might have its challenges, but it's also my superpower! It's why I think differently, create differently, and connect differently. It's why I feel no shame running around the house with my kids, laughing, shouting, and jumping on the couches. And it's why I connect with those "wiggly" kids in my classroom – because I get them! Stay tuned for Part 2 where I will talk about identifying possible problems in the class! - Karla
At Jo's Dreamland we incorporate learning activities into all our designs, whether that is in the design of our bedding or in the accompanying educational booklet to inspire learning around the theme.