What did you think of the author’s portrayal of people with ADHD? Do you think it was accurate? What’s your experience with the condition? Do you feel there’s a stigma associated with it?
I think there is a wide spectrum of AD/HD behaviors and the author’s portrayal was accurate in that instance. Yes, unfortunately, a label of AD/HD can carry a bit of stigma to those who don’t understand it. It’s a label, I feel, that makes the person suffering with it feel “less than.”
I was impressed with the author’s handling of ADHD and not just the symptomatic aspects of it, but also common misconceptions and prejudices surrounding the condition.
As a 40 year educator, I have had many opportunities to work with students that are ADHD, and I also have a daughter and granddaughter with the condition.
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At times, I thought it was a little heavy handed, maybe too much, although I thought it was represented realistically.
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Like Jackie above, I’ve been an educator for a long time and have experienced working with children. with ADHD. I also have a son who has ADHD. In fact, like Grace’s family there is a generational and family connection. My husband’s brother has symptoms, his son does, and his grandson. The same is true with my husband, one of our sons, and a grandson who is a child of the other son. I wonder sometimes whether some of the symptoms are learned and whether there has been genetic tracing. Some of the relatives have learned coping skills better than others and there are different noticeable traits for each.
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Honestly the focus on ADHD was just too much and was part of the reason I just didn’t like this book. I have an adult kid with ADHD and I worked in a school for kids who learn differently (most of them had ADHD) and so I have some experience with and knowledge of this. I felt like the author portrayed ADHD as a huge tragedy and a terrible affliction and embarrassment - and I just simply do not agree. I think more people have some level of ADHD than do not have it at this point and I am not aware of any real stigma at this point.
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At first I was annoyed at how much time was spent on ADHD, but then I realized that I was learning what goes on inside a person’s head when they have ADHD. That was much more helpful than googling ADHD symptoms! Frank’s journal and Jude’s reply to Grace on page 239 really helped me to understand some family members better. “Feelings can actually physically hurt.” I have seen family members experience this and now I have a better understanding of where it comes from. The ADHD theme running through the book was very helpful to me personally.
I think it’s interesting that the people here who’ve had the most experience with ADHD lean toward the author being heavy-handed with her information. I don’t know anyone with the condition, and I appreciated all the info she included. I felt I learned a lot.
I bet you do have friends/associates with AD/HD. They are probably not medically identified. As I said, there’s a wide range; a spectrum. I, too, taught for over 35 years.
Although my husband has never been tested for ADHD it’s obvious he has a lot of the characteristics. He’s a lot of fun and gets a ton of stuff done because it’s hard for him to sit still. He starts a bunch of projects at the same time but gets easily distracted. There are times when I get annoyed but he is one big adventure after 42 years of marriage my life is exciting and never dull and I like to think he contributes to that.
I think that having ADHD isn’t a stigma anymore like it used to be. I thought the book did a great job showing we should be accepted for who we are and not judge others and create labels.
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I think the author did an excellent job in portraying people with ADHD. For my own experience, I have watched a very dear friend deal with this because her husband has it as does her only child and both grandchildren. The author’s portrayal was very accurate and I’ve seen the same instances she describes in person with my friend’s family. Because we hear so much today about ADHD today, I don’t think it has the stigma it once did.
Jodi, I agree with you. I felt the author dwelt too much with the “stigma” of ADHD. I am also a teacher and have worked with a number of students with ADHD. I also mentored a person with ADHD in a close setting. I do not feel ADHD is a stigma, but simply a different of seeing and relating to the world. All people see the world differently.
I think that ADHD creates a stigma for the person so many people don’t admit to it.
Another former teacher here: It troubled me throughout this book that the husband and others were labeled “ADHD” with seemingly little or no medical or educational testing to make such a diagnosis, and few real steps taken to make a plan to acknowledge the condition and help the affected person live with it more easily. Guessing that each of the characters have it seemed to be the main diagnosis.
I agree with the comments regarding the author’s emphasis on ADHD. From my experience the process of disrupting reading words and writing (Dyslexic) which Grace wrote was her grandson’s problem, whereas ADHD is is related to focus, comprehension, organization and impulsiveness. Both disorders can be related but I agree there is no longer a stigma because in today’s stressful world so many exhibit a symptom. I myself am OCD which my family has to deal with. 
I think if is always helpful when an author addresses a specific issue in a realistic way to help readers gain a better understanding of the topic.