Diagnosed with ADD, post graduation

<p>As I sit back and reflect on my life thus far, I can always remember chronic daydreaming, being severely unorganized, lack of confidence, constantly being late (simply no regard for time or perception of time), procrastination, etc. Now, as a high school student and person in general I was intelligent. I took AP classes. I did fairly decent on my SAT. I achieved a scholarship as a student-athlete. I didn't do much that caused these aforementioned traits to stick out like a sore thumb. However, college for me served as a blessing and somewhat of a curse. A blessing because education is one of the most important tools a person can have and a curse because it exposed me to some really dark times in my life. </p>

<p>I attended a public university in the Texas area (to remain unnamed), I played basketball as a student athlete, and attempted to tackle a degree in Biology. Now, there were a few courses namely the notorious hard knocks like Gen Chem and OChem that gave me an extensively hard time. During that time I took these courses I missed numerous lecture days do to extensive traveling for road games. I would correspond with my teacher, had a tutor (who barely showed up), and attempted to grasp this material on my own, yet my efforts still lead me to want to drop the courses. I was struggling. Didn't feel confident in my abilities and I was simply overwhelmed. I went to my athletic academic advisor and informed them I wanted to drop my Organic course because it was becoming too much...I'd already bombed tests and knew I wouldn't do well. My claim was denied because as a student-athlete, NCAA requires that you take 12 hours per semester, dropping the course would bring me to 9. So there I was, feeling hopeless. I was embarrassed to truly speak with my professors and suddenly the student who'd always done well felt like the student who internally could not learn. I endured this for 2 semesters and "earned" a D in both courses. </p>

<p>I ended up changing my major to Social Work with a minor in Biology. I struggled in college. There it is. I always thought the problems I was having were simply just who I was. During this time, I never thought a mental illness or learning disorder would be my issue. It wasn't until after I graduated that my problems were EVEN MORE noticeable. I was always late. Moved home with my parents and they ended up kicking me out (get this), because my room and others were NEVER clean. I would procrastinate. Act impulsively. Stare into space. Felt dissatisfied with life. Then I knew something was wrong...so. I did my research. A few options were presented, but I was eventually clinically diagnosed with ADD...given an adderall Rx. And BOOM. Everything began to make sense for me. I has learning disorder. It'd gone unnoticed this whole time because I wasn't "bad" nor did I "under-perform". </p>

<p>Now HERE"S WHAT MY DISCUSSION is all about. ADD is covered under the Disabilities rights for my University AND through the state of Texas as long as its been thoroughly assessed and verified by a medical professional. I want to appeal my grades received in my organic chemistry classes. I don't want them changed, I simply want to do a retro-drop in the courses to remove them from my cumulative, graduate GPA. I'm okay if they if remain on the transcript, but my GPA simply haunts me. I could not join social organizations of my choice, I could not pursue a degree in pharmacy, a list full of things. I DO NOT want to use ADD as a crutch, but I know now that internally I process information differently, I learn differently and I've learned habits and natural ways to deal with with my diagnosis. I do know, If I would've been aware of my diagnosis and my options, I would've sought resources (that I had the right to), yet, no one ever mentions mental illnesses to struggling students on the college level. </p>

<p>I can conquer anything, I can take any class, I can do whatever I put my mind to.... I just have to slow down, I need more time, I might need to read material over and over, but I am capable. There's proof because I challenged myself and re took OCHEM 1 and 2 and received an A and B. I took it at a community college. I took my time. I used various coping methods I've
learned.</p>

<p>Do I have a valid case here? Do you think the Officer of Disabilities Accommodations will support my pursuit? Do you guys feel mental illnesses are not brought to the forefront enough...therefore students are unaware of possible deeper issues and the treatment they can get?? I always hear. Your GPA is LOCKED once your graduate, but I know there's ALWAYS a way to accomplish something. You just need to appropriate parties to be aware of the issues.</p>

<p>I'll keep you guys posted on my pursuit!!!</p>

<p>This is a very interesting post. You sound like you’re doing MUCH BETTER now, with the meds working and your further understanding of your ADD diagnosis. Was it ADHD – as in hyperactive? Or ADD inattentive? I’m just curious, because my son has the inattentive type, and the way you describe yourself sounds much like him.</p>

<p>I’m really not sure if you can get those classes dropped at this stage. I would doubt it. BUT, it definitely doesn’t hurt to ask. You should go talk to somebody about this possibility, and see what can be done. If it can’t be worked out as a retro-drop, then maybe there is some other unknown possibility to check out. Definitely keep us updated, as this is really interesting.</p>

<p>People do not talk about this type of diagnosis enough because they don’t understand it all that well. Heck, I feel like my son’s ADD specialist doesn’t fully understand what’s going on with him – because the meds either don’t work for him, or if they work, they don’t work consistently. Nobody seems to understand why. So if a specialist doesn’t have a firm grasp on the issue, it’s hard to expect the rest of the world to get it.</p>

<p>It never hurts to ask. But you’ll always wonder if you don’t.</p>

<p>If it doesn’t work out to get retro-drop, please consider moving forward to the next step in your life. What would you like that to be? Now that you have a better understanding of how your brain works, and are responding well to the appropriate medications, you could consider all kinds of new possibilities.</p>