Tackling ADHD at ASU

If you follow college football in Arizona (which I don’t) maybe you know the name Lawrence Guy, defensive tackle at ASU.  This weekend he was named to the 2010 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List.**  Last weekend was the Sun Devils’ PAC-10 opener against Oregon.   Front page of the Arizona Republic carried an article “Tackling Life” by Doug Haller.

I am accustomed to seeing sports news making headlines, and confess to skipping over most of the stories unless it is something inspirational about a player off the field, and that is what got my attention about Lawrence Guy.  I was hooked immediately in Haller’s opening  paragraph about this player who, two years ago as a freshman, was blowing his opportunities for both an education and playing college football.  The story began with a meeting that involved Guy, the associate athletic director, a learning specialist, and his father.  Talk about a Special Team!

Every kid who tackles the challenges of ADHD needs a team.  Parents, classroom teachers, Special Ed teachers, Resource teachers are the typical attendees at SST or IEP meetings.  Often the school psychologist or a private therapist may attend, as well as the school nurse or OT specialist.  In Guy’s case the team included an athletic coach.

The stigma of  being seen just walking into the Disability Resource Center at ASU had been daunting for Guy.  Now, the time had come for him to confront the ADHD and dyslexia that had disrupted his concentration and reading for years.  He’d gotten through his freshman season with the help of  teammate Luis Vasquez who shared notes with him and quizzed him about formations and assignments on the field.   But now it was time for him to “learn how to learn” as his father is quoted. 

He needed to see that the instruction wasn’t just background noise.  It was a framework for juggling football and academics, a framework for success.  (Haller)

His brother Chris moved to the Valley and became part of Guy’s goal-setting team.  Together the brothers clarified Guy’s goals and established the objectives to achieve those goals.  Guy rededicated himself to his academics with guidance from the learning center, and developed his leadership skills with his football teammates and other student-athletes.  This summer at Tempe High School he shared his experience with learning disabilities and decision making with at-risk youth attending the “Summer Bridges” program. The message he delivered was simple:  “Any obstacle can be cleared, but you can’t do it alone.  Ask for help.  Work hard.” (Haller)

ADHD is not a life sentence of doom, though it’s a challenge to be sure.  Surround yourself and your child with people who care.  Your team may include the types of professionals described above, family members and friends.

While it’s tempting to want to hide from a label for fear of being stigmatized, keeping it a secret almost never works out.

Encourage your child to be who s/he is.  Nurture strengths and talents.  ADHD doesn’t just affect your child in the classroom or at home.  Involve an athletic coach, art teacher, music or dance instructor, martial arts sensei, drama director, clergy or youth director at your place of worship or community center.

Keep a sense of humor.  Be open to new strategies and resources.  Remember that it is not necessary to posses a title to be a mentor. Perhaps some day your child will be someone else’s inspiration.  Lawrence Guy is a player to watch on the field and to learn from off the field.  Together we can tackle anything.

~Debbie

**Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics pro-football Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.