Freshman diagnosed with a learning disorder, am I kind of doomed?

Oh sweetie…you are a freshman in high school - your whole future awaits. In no way are you doomed! Good for you that you recognized an issue and addressed it. And lucky for you, the issue presented itself in freshman year rather than senior year. Pay attention to where you excel and where you struggle - choose a path that plays to your strengths and not your weaknesses (maybe a job with lots of quick turn arounds and deadlines is not for you, but one that demands lots of creativity and flexibility is). We have a saying in our family of “What looks like a curse, may be a blessing”…ADD or a learning disability certainly can be a blessing. Just don’t use your diagnosis as an excuse or a crutch - use it as a tool to help you understand more about how you learn and function in the world. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and whatever it is you need to become your best self. Focus on the learning rather than “what colleges will think” and you will be fine. It could be that you need a test optional school or one that takes a more holistic approach to admissions. At any rate, a college that is all about gap, scores, tests etc. probably won’t be the best match for you anyway. There are lots of great schools out there who would love a student like you.

My oldest daughter has significant dyslexia and she has always viewed it as an insight rather than an impediment. She has at times sought accommodations but has always insisted on being held to the highest standards. She had a professor who took her to task for her writing and gave her a much lower grade than she was used to - after more than a few tears, she challenged him to teach her how to be a better writer. A year later, he hired her as a writing assistant.

So hang in there…I know a lot of people here will have much more practical advice about how gap’s are calculated, what courses to take, etc. but I just thought I would share a bit of our experience.

I have been diagnosed with ADD, Dyslexia and test anxiety, you are not alone… I thought that no one would ever want me, I was completely wrong. I am not the greatest student, I have to work my ass off just to get the grades that I want, but I have got to tell you, STOP THINKING OF IT AS A DISABILITY!!! It just means that you are extremely unique, that you can think more outside the box than others, you may have some solutions that no one has ever thought of.
I am a senior in high school, I have been living with this stuff my whole life, and up until recently I have come to realize that colleges do want me, they are giving me scholarships, sure they aren’t Ivy or anything but they are some of the best schools for me.
You have no need to be concerned, with my Dyslexia I have a different thought pattern than most people, I consider it my super power. You can’t ever feel torn down by these new ABILITIES!! (yes that is what they are called!!) Once you embrace them they will be there and support you, working with you not against you. I was tested by a PHD who has ADHD, she put her mind to what she wanted and now she teaches at UC Berkley!
I guess all I am trying to say is you don’t have to worry, what ever you want to do you can make it happen, it doesn’t mean that it will be easy, but you are going to gain so much more life experience from this in your next few years that it won’t matter weather you have these Abilities or not, you are just going to be the best you that you can be.