As I’ve mentioned before, my daughter, Emma, has a serious problem with ADHD. Thanks to the wonders of Ritalin she is now doing much better and can almost function at the same level of her first grade classmates.
Here’s a typical night at my house. My daughter is upstairs playing in her room and needs to come downstairs to take her medicine.
Me: Emma, come downstairs.
Emma: Why?
Me: Its time to take your medicine.
… two minutes go by.
Me: Come on, Emma, its time to come downstairs and take your medicine.
… two more minutes go by.
Me: Emma, please come downstairs and take your medicine.
… two more minutes go by.
Me: Emma, come downstairs, NOW!
Emma: Alright.
She hits the stairs,
Me: Why did it take you so long to come downstairs.
Emma (very annoyed at being asked such a stupid question): I had to build something!
There’s a joke about ADD that’s actually not a joke — its how many people with ADD seem to process the world. The joke goes,
Q: How many ADD kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Lets go ride bikes!