ADHD

It's a very emotive condition. Some people think it doesn't actually exist. Some think that it's caused by crap parenting. The difficulty is that there is no one specific test for it. Even though it tends to run in families, it isn't diagnosed by a genetic blood test. Some use CT scans of the head, but most commonly it is diagnosed by questionnaires for families and teachers etc of children with it. It's also commonly treated with dexamphetamine (or similar), in other words, speed. Mostly, the kids with it are badly behaved/wild/dreamy/impulsive, so they can be a......challenge. Having said that it is considered real enough to be included in DSM V (THE mental health textbook). Last time I was at uni, I wrote a "paper" on ADHD, if I knew where it was, posssibly I'd just scan it to here (self plagiarism), but can't lay my hands on it right now. I ended up with over 50 references, with no drama. I have 4 kids as everyone knows and mr 20 was diagnosed at 9, probably after much heel dragging, as no one wants a label put to their child, or give them speed.
Here's some of our experiences.
We got to know the primary school teaching staff, in particular, the deputy principal quite well. Sadly, mostly we got "can your reinforce the rules and what we expect him to do"
He saw a pediatrician, psychologist and psychiatrist along the way, oh and the police a couple of times. Yay!
He didn't like school, surprise, surprise.
He got picked on by some, but fortunately had friends. Most of his friends had "issues" too, such as ADHD, aspergers, tourettes. Most of these kids, now adults are living productive lives. Are they the highest achievers? No, but they're still young. One of the worst of his friends from school is "normal".
What have we learned?
You will be criticized, a lot.
You will get little support from your school (I found the private system better than the public). Children with ADHD do not get extra support for them unless the kid has an identified learning disability or some such. In a lot of ways, I can't blame teachers for getting sick of them, they're a handful.
You will get the most help from the private sector, eg psychology etc. There is little help for you and your child again, because the mental health system is already overloaded.
There is informal support in the form of a support system ADDIS (from memory), has chapters in every state.
When you find a good doctor, stick to him/her.
Always make sure you balance out the inevitable criticism with positive feedback, whenever able. Most kids with ADHD get criticized so much they end up with low self esteem.
Consistent and tough discipline is so necessary. These kids push the boundaries like no others. This is very, very hard. Sometimes you feel like giving in, don't.
Some "fun" events in out life.
Just before his birthday, our son threw a rock through the rear window of the bus. Whoops, no trip to the ekka for his birthday that year.
One of his asd friends cried in the video library when he lost a coin toss for a movie.
Another one (aspergers) insisted on getting in the car after school when we were going to his doctors. He got upset when he found out that he wouldn't be in time to go to the movies with his family. He cried for 2 hours,
Another one(also aspergers) had to be prized off my sons neck.
One child decided to hide (during hide & seek) on top of the car (ADHD).
The school principal broke her ankle rather badly chasing my son onto the bus after school when he ran from a detention to get to the bus. THAT was legend for years.
I could go on, but you get the drift. It's the small (or even big) things that if you didn't laugh about them, you'd cry.
I'm sure I'm not the only one. Share your funnier incidents, or even your general experiences.