My ADD Story | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

My ADD Story

My story of being diagnosed and the struggles it put me through

55
My ADD Story
google

When I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), it was a very significant time in my life as a student. Before I was diagnosed I struggled for many years academically. I could not understand why I was not succeeding as well as the other kids. The diagnosis gave me a clarification to why I was struggling. At this point, I was able to get help for what I needed and the tools to succeed as a student. Without this diagnosis, I would not be in college or have passed high school.

I had always struggled a little with school, however third grade was the year I realized I really had a problem. In first and second grade I had the same teacher who knew what I had issues in and how to help me understand. When I got to third grade, it was like I skipped two year of school and came straight from kindergarten. I would get C’s in almost every subject I had. I felt discouraged because I knew I learned it but I could not remember. When we were learning multiplication I struggled the hardest. Whenever I would fail a quiz my teacher would make me sit at a table in the back of the room during our free time and retake them until I got all the questions right. The table she would make me sit at was the table where everyone sat and talked very loudly about television or some gossip from another class. When I got my grade back, my quiz grade was even worse than when I took it with everyone else. That is when I realized I could not focus in a room full of noise. I ended up passing third grade with C’s and still not understanding multiplication.

In fourth grade I finally decided to try and figure out what was wrong with me. My twin brother was having the same academic problems as me, so my mother took him to a doctor who diagnosed him with ADD. When she found out I was having the same problems, she decided to have me tested as well. I went to the doctor and took the tests and hoped that there was a medical reason I could not pay attention in class or understand the topics being taught. After I finished the tests, the doctor told me that I did not have ADD but that I was lazy. I felt discouraged knowing that I was trying and not getting good results. I started to slack on my work because I thought that it did not matter how hard I tried, I would always struggle in school and there was no point. For two years I struggled with school and continued to not do well.

In sixth grade, I was doing very badly in school. My mom could see that I was trying but I was not getting the best results. She decided to take me back to the doctor and have me retested for any learning disability. I took the tests again and tried my best. This time, the doctor said I did have ADD and that was the reason I was having so many problems with school. I felt relieved that there was a reason I was not getting the grades I wanted besides me not trying hard enough. I started getting accommodations for separate testing locations and written out notes when I started middle school. My grades still were not the best but they were not as bad as the year before. I felt better knowing that it was not because I was lazy, but because of something I have no control over.

Without this diagnosis, I would not be in college. I do not even think I would have even finished high school because of how hard it would have been. But I did graduate high school, I was even on the honors list and got a few academic scholarships from colleges I applied to. Although having a learning disability is pretty hard and discouraging at times, I feel relieved that my hardest is enough and that I can achieve the grades I want.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

14 Thoughts Every College Student Has During Winter Break

The most common: "Is it time to go back to school yet?"

989
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

3285
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

5666
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

3566
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments