Episode 7: Level Up: New School Year, New Mission
Monday, 20/10/2025
The Magic of ADHD Through Iris’s Eyes
Iris discovers that the beginning of a new school year doesn’t have to be perfect. Her ADHD gives her flexibility, imagination and the ability to find solutions inside the chaos. When an adult recognizes her way of working, the chaos becomes a strength.
Survival Kit for Kids
- Keep a “magic notebook” for doodles, colors and ideas.
- Add colors to your exercises — the brain remembers images better than words.
- Don’t panic when you forget something: chaos has its advantages.
Tips for Parents
- Ask your child: “How do you learn best?” and truly listen to the answer.
- Allow alternative learning methods — colors, drawings, stories.
- Show acceptance: it makes a huge difference in confidence.
It was the first day of the new school year.
I woke up determined, full of energy, with an organized plan in my head and…
…an alarm clock that had been ringing for ten minutes without me hearing it.
Perfect start.
I put my shirt on inside out, mixed up my socks, and left the house without my schoolbag — and I ONLY realized it
because Dad shouted from the window:
— “Iris, you forgot something!”
— “Impossible!” I said.
And yes, I had actually forgotten something. The schoolbag. The most important object in any school environment.
When I arrived in class, everything had changed.
New desks, new books, new classmates… and of course, new escape plans forming in my mind.
But above all: a new math teacher.
Ms. Niki.
A name that prepares you for a “victorious” year but also stresses you out a little.
She walked in smiling, took a deep breath and said:
— “This year, we will work with strategy and imagination.”
Me: Ah, now we’re talking! Finally someone who speaks my language.
I sat at my desk, ready for the first mission of the year: Organize my chaos.
Sounds easy. I mean… no. But I tried to stay optimistic.
Ms. Niki handed each of us a notebook and said:
— “I want you to start with one task: write how you learn best.”
I picked up my pencil.
I looked at the page.
The page looked back at me.
And a few seconds later, the page was filled with doodles, little birds, clouds, dancing math functions and a big
sentence:
I learn with COLOR, CHAOS and MAGIC.
Ms. Niki came closer.
She leaned over.
She saw it.
And she… smiled.
— “Very good, Iris. That’s your way. We’ll use it.”
At that moment, I felt something inside me level up.
Like I had unlocked a new ability:
✨ “Accept your brain as it is — superpower mode unlocked.” ✨
During recess, my black bird friend appeared on the windowsill again.
“Good luck for the new season!” it chirped (or at least that’s what I think it said).
I nodded seriously.
Because I’m the kind of girl who takes signs seriously — especially when they come from birds.
The rest of the day was a mix of panic + excitement + forgotten items + two new strategic doodles that will
probably come in handy.
And just like that, with an inside-out shirt, doodles on my notebook and a smile from ear to ear, the new school
year began.
Chaos? Yes.
But controlled? As controlled as I allow it to be.