My kids are getting much much much better (8 and 10 now) but back in "the day" I accidentally stumbled on a trick one day (it wasn't really a trick, but...) We were at gymnastics and DS(then 5? ADHD) was being a nutcase (helicopter spins, hiding underneath the trampolines, etc). I told the teachers we were having him assessed, and their reactions switched like night and day. They went from being visibly annoyed by him to being extremely kind and patient. I think most people have the potential to be understanding, but if they have no personal experience with, um, complicated kids, and if your child looks totally typical, well... (sigh).
