This Is Not the Abby Show

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This Is Not the Abby Show Page 19

by Debbie Reed Fischer


  Do You Have ADHD?

  Some of you may have just read This Is Not the Abby Show and are thinking, “Hold on. Abby isn’t anything like me, and I have ADHD. What’s up with that?” That could very well be true. The tricky thing about this medical condition is that it presents differently in each person. Not everyone is as hyperactive as Abby. Some people have the more inattentive type of ADHD. Some have extreme cases, while some have mild cases. That’s why treatment varies, and there are different kinds of doctors you can go to for help.

  To a person with ADHD, a fly in the classroom may be as important as the teacher talking. Judging what’s important and what should be ignored is extremely difficult. Imagine the inside of your brain as the TV wall at an electronics store, with each TV broadcasting a different program. Which TVs do you turn off? Which do you leave on? That’s ADHD.

  Maybe you’re the kid able to sit quietly in class, but there is so much going on in your head, it drowns out everything around you. Or maybe you are twice exceptional, like Abby, gifted in a particular academic area in addition to having ADHD. That’s very common. Some of the greatest thinkers, innovators, artists, and leaders in world history are believed to have had ADHD, including Albert Einstein, Ben Franklin, Eleanor Roosevelt, and John Lennon. Here are a few alive today you may recognize: Justin Timberlake, musician and actor; Michael Phelps, most-winning Olympic gold medalist of all time; David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue Airways; and Adam Levine, musician and actor.

  Many exceptionally intelligent, creative people credit ADHD with the key to their success. They may wear mismatched socks, have no clue where they left their cell phone, and leave the door unlocked, but they have unique and wonderful qualities, and so do you.

  Here is a list of qualities that many people with ADHD possess. Which of these apply to you?

  creative

  spontaneous

  honest

  energetic

  fun

  compassionate

  imaginative

  brave

  curious

  able to think outside the box

  daring

  helpful, eager to volunteer

  warm, friendly

  interested in a variety of topics

  For more information about ADHD, check out these resources:

  Help4ADHD.org

  ADDwarehouse.com

  CHADD.org

  Additudemag.com

  Visit me at debbiereedfischer.com. I’d love to hear from you!

  Acknowledgments

  This book couldn’t have been written without the help and support of many people. Thanks go to:

  My talented editor, Rebecca Weston. You understood Abby from the first draft, and I’m so grateful my manuscript landed on your desk. Your insights made me dig deeper to get to the heart of the story and made this process enjoyable. Kate Gartner and illustrator Tuesday Mourning, for capturing Abby and her friends so perfectly for this cover, and Trish Parcell, for the beautiful interior design. Everyone at Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press.

  My agent extraordinaire, Steven Chudney, for believing in me and guiding the way. Whether answering my emails with lightning speed or handling contracts, you are the best.

  Alex Flinn, for your advice, and for sharing so much of your personal journey with me while I wrote this book. Dorian Cirrone, for your keen observations throughout many drafts. Thank you both for always being there for me. I treasure our emails, texts, and conversations. (Don’t worry, I deleted everything.)

  Big hugs to Joyce Sweeney, my mentor and longtime friend, and to Laurie Taddanio, Flora Doone, Gloria Rothstein, and Lane Fredrickson. Muchas gracias to Linda Rodriguez-Bernfeld and Gaby Triana for leading our Florida SCBWI chapter with such dedication. All my SCBWI friends, online and locally, I’d be lost without your camaraderie. Your talent motivates me to up my game.

  Dr. Judith Aronson-Ramos, for your expertise, insight, and for clarifying questions regarding ADHD. Dr. Stacy Davids, for coming through at the eleventh hour with helpful details. Dr. Rona Bernstein, for your personal encouragement when this book was just an idea.

  Sydney Altschul, for her unique personal perspective.

  Loren Stein, for being my good-luck charm after a random meeting at Office Depot. Our conversation about stand-up comedy, creativity, and ADHD made a big impact on this book. Sherry Grossman, for reminding me why humor is important for kids in Abby’s situation, and for important medical details.

  All the Abbies I’ve known, for opening my eyes to both the challenges and joys of being twice exceptional. You can’t be a shadow if you’re born to be a light. Shine, shine, shine.

  My biggest fans, Sara and Donald Reed, also known as my parents, for always allowing me to read whatever I wanted and for encouraging me to write. I am forever grateful. All my family and friends who cheer me on.

  I owe a debt of gratitude to my husband, Eric. It’s not easy to be married to an author. Thank you for not minding when my alarm clock goes off at four in the morning because I need to get up and write, for taking me seriously when I discuss characters as if they’re real, and for making me laugh when I want to cry. Okay, I’ll stop thanking you now. Actually, no, I won’t. I can never thank you enough. I love you.

  Finally, saving the best for last, a giant hug to my biggest blessings, my sons. Louis, for giving me wise counsel on anything teen-related, such as the 411 on which sayings aren’t cool anymore (like “the 411,” for example). Also, for helping me by ordering pizzas or taking your brother out when I’m on deadline. Sam, thanks for naming Abby, and for giving me the inside scoop about life in middle school. You guys both fill my life with purpose, pride, and a lot of information about sports. I love you to the moon and back. I’m very lucky to be your mother.

  About the Author

  DEBBIE REED FISCHER is the author of novels for teens and tweens, and has been praised by Kirkus Reviews for balancing “weighty issues with a sharp wit.” When she isn’t writing, Debbie is chatting online with her readers, teaching writing workshops, playing guitar, singing with her band, running, or watching just about anything on TV. She has lived in England, Greece, and Israel, and now lives in South Florida with her husband and two sons, who don’t mind eating takeout when she is on deadline. Visit her at debbiereedfischer.com.

 

 

 


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