‘Hidden behind the forehead’

Medicine | For years conservatives have expressed skepticism about the existence of ADHD and worried about the overuse of powerful stimulants like Ritalin. Yet many parents, teachers, and counselors don’t doubt ADHD’s existence. In Austin, Texas, Linda Classen has devoted her adult life to helping parents and teachers better understand “children like ours” | Susan Olasky

Linda Classen's passion is helping kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She comes by the interest naturally: Two of her three now-adult sons struggled with it. She turned that personal interest into a 32-year career as a Texas classroom teacher, school social worker, and finally, as "504 coordinator" for the Austin Independent School District.

That "504" refers to the paragraph in the 1973 federal Rehabilitation Act that prohibits discrimination against kids with certain kinds of disabilities, including ADHD—and the job turned into a calling. "I truly believe I was called to do this as a ministry . . . to make something meaningful out of something so painful."