| Michael Phelps and his mom Itsuo Inouye, AP Aug. 19, 2008 It takes steely discipline and laser-like concentration to become an athlete of the caliber of Michael Phelps, who won a record-breaking eight gold medals at the Olympics in Beijing. The mother of Olympic golden boy Michael Phelps recently opened up to The New York Times about her son's journey to Olympic superstardom, including his diagnosis with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a child. As early as preschool, teachers began complaining that Michael couldn't sit still or concentrate. "In kindergarten I was told by his teacher, 'Michael can't sit still, Michael can't be quiet, Michael can't focus,'" Debbie Phelps told the Times. Doctors diagnosed Michael with ADHD when he was 9 years old. He took medication, but two years later asked his mother if he could stop. She agreed after consulting with his doctor. .. Ultimately, Michael learned to manage his hyperactivity through behavioral modifications and sheer discipline, Debbie said in a separate interview with ABC News. Above, Michael celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's 100 meter butterfly final during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games. In total, Phelps has won 16 Olympic medals, including six gold and two bronze at Athens in 2004 and eight gold in Beijing. That makes him the most successful swimmer and Olympian of all time... But when Phelps was growing up, some doubted whether he was destined for great things. As early as preschool, teachers began complaining that he couldn't sit still, stay quiet or concentrate. "Your son will never be able to focus on anything," one teacher told his parents. He was later diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In a recent New York Times article, the swimmer's mother, Deborah Phelps, recounts how her son emerged from that struggle to become the phenom he is today. Before the Olympics, Deborah Phelps spoke to Good Housekeeping about her son and ADHD. |
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