They Said ADHD Was Just a Phase: How I Navigated Parma City's School System and Found Our Breakthrough

Published on June 5, 2025 by NeuroMule AI Assistant

Category: Parenting Strategies

"They said ADHD was just a phase, like a stubborn storm that would pass."

I remember that hot August afternoon in Parma City like it was yesterday. The heavy scent of freshly mowed grass drifted through our cracked-open window as I sat at the kitchen table, homework and school notes scattered in frustrating disarray. My mother-in-law's voice came through from the living room, laced with disbelief: "Maybe you're just too strict, let him be a child."

I clenched my fists so tightly the rough wood grain pressed into my palms. Outside, the chatter of kids playing was sharply at odds with the tension hanging thick in our sunlit kitchen. I was caught between two worlds—my fierce, protective instinct pushing me to fight for my son’s support, and the weight of family whispers comforting themselves with, "It’s temporary."

But what they didn’t see was the chaos every morning hunting for lost shoes, the endless battles over forgotten assignments, and the frustration etched deep into my six-year-old son's face.

This isn’t just a story about ADHD—it’s about navigating Parma City's school system, cultural pressures, and the battle to be heard. If you find yourself juggling disbelief and exhaustion while advocating for your child, you’re not alone. Let me share how we turned confusion into clarity and false starts into real breakthroughs.

"I’m telling you, he’s not just being rambunctious," I said one evening to my aunt after a long, tough day trying to get Javier through his math worksheet. She shook her head, dismissive: "When I was your age, I had ADHD too. You just grow out of it."

Her words cut deep, but I was too tired to argue. Was I overreacting? Was it really just a phase?

Javier was seven, a second grader at a local Parma City School District school. His energy seemed boundless, but it wasn’t simple hyperactivity. Homework time was a battlefield; he couldn’t focus, pencils vanished mysteriously every day, and his constant fidgeting drained me.

"It’s just a phase," anyone hearing our story might say. But for parents navigating ADHD schools in Parma, those words echo far too often, clouding the real struggles and delaying crucial support.

Our first meeting with Mrs. Thompson, the school counselor, felt like hitting a brick wall. She gently placed a folder on the table and said, "Many children go through a hyperactive stage. We usually watch and wait before pursuing evaluations. Sometimes, it’s just about finding the right routine."

I left confused and overwhelmed, caught between my family’s fears of stigma and the school’s cautious approach. Yet, beneath that hesitation, Parma City’s school system holds untapped pockets of support.

For instance, the district partners with local organizations like OhioGuidestone and Mindfully LLC to provide counseling services directly in schools—a vital resource I hadn’t known about at first (https://www.parmacityschools.org/resources/for-parents/mental-health-services).

Finding the Office of Community and Family Connections at Parma City felt like discovering a lifeline in a sea of unreturned calls and lost forms. This office connects families to community-based mental health resources tailored for kids with ADHD.

Here’s a quick overview of some key supports I accessed:

  • On-site counseling at Parma Middle School through partnerships with OhioGuidestone and Mindfully LLC, cutting down stress around scheduling and transportation.
  • ADHD support groups where Javier met other kids who truly understood what he was going through.
  • Help from the Office of Exceptional Students, which worked with me to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP). If you’re new to IEPs, they’re individual plans tailored to help kids with special education needs succeed.

This tailored roadmap eased homework battles and improved classroom focus. Yet, advocating for those accommodations meant learning to educate myself, ask tough questions, and find allies in a sometimes skeptical system (https://www.parmacityschools.org/Domain/168).

Have you wondered what it takes to navigate ADHD parenting in Parma? It’s about persistence and community, bridging cultural expectations with informed advocacy.

The turning point came during our first ADHD support group meeting at Parma Middle School. Sitting around a table with other parents battling the same "It’s just a phase" dismissal, I felt for the first time that I wasn’t alone. This group, supported by local counselors and mental health organizations, brought real hope (https://sites.google.com/parmacityschools.org/parmamiddleschoolcounselors/hillside).

Around that same time, I explored alternatives beyond traditional classrooms. Summit Academy Community School in Parma became a beacon. Unlike typical schools, Summit offers a therapeutic environment for kids with ADHD and other learning differences. There, Javier wasn’t just tolerated—he was understood and supported daily (https://summitacademies.org/parma/).

What turned our path into progress were small, practical wins:

  • Using visual schedules to smooth transitions between activities.
  • Incorporating frequent, short breaks during homework time.
  • Setting up a "calm-down" corner at home, mirroring his supportive school space.

Each small win wasn’t just about managing ADHD; it was about rebuilding Javier’s confidence and easing family stress.

I won’t sugarcoat it—this journey has been hard. There were moments when frustration spilled over into home life, straining our relationship. But those stumbles taught me advocacy is a process, not perfection. Sometimes, stepping back and admitting I’m still learning opened doors to breakthroughs.

Parma City’s ADHD services and community support are real. They’re not always easy to navigate, but with patience and persistence, your breakthrough can happen too.

I learned that ADHD isn’t a phase to wait out—it’s a long, ongoing journey that demands advocacy, patience, and connection. Building relationships with teachers, school staff, and fellow parents gave me strength I didn’t have at the start.

If managing paperwork, appointments, and meetings feels overwhelming, know that tools like NeuroMule exist to help. It helped me keep school info organized, cut mental clutter, and focus my advocacy for Javier.

Remember—each step forward counts. Keep pushing, keep connecting, and don’t hesitate to lean on resources that lighten your load. Your child’s journey is unique, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Let NeuroMule be your calm, capable companion along the way.

Quick Takeaways for Navigating ADHD Advocacy in Parma City:

  • Trust your instincts even when others say, "It’s just a phase."
  • Seek out the Office of Community and Family Connections for mental health and community supports.
  • Explore the Office of Exceptional Students to understand and access IEP services tailored to your child.
  • Look into local counseling partnerships like OhioGuidestone and Mindfully LLC.
  • Consider therapeutic school environments such as Summit Academy Community School.
  • Connect with parent support groups to break isolation and share strategies.
  • Use tools like NeuroMule to organize your advocacy journey and reduce overwhelm.

Resources:

Navigating ADHD advocacy can feel overwhelming, but with persistence, community, and the right resources, breakthroughs are possible. Remember, NeuroMule can help you keep track of all the moving pieces, organize your advocacy efforts, and give you clear insights when you need them most. You’re not alone on this journey—take it one step at a time, and know there’s a community and tools ready to support you.