Education and ADHD

[Trailblazer20]

I'm wondering if there is a way to make up for the education I missed out on. A do over...... only this time with adequate help. Is there someone I can reach out to?

[Hominid711]

First I would identify what excites me, because you need motivation for education. Then google your way through courses or classes or forums and your area or global dependent on what you prefer, online or in-person events. Personally I always did foreign languages but since I've known of having ADHD I've been much more selective.

I've joined an online literature class, a couple of quite specific support groups and plan on a choir and perhaps a walking group but educationally my ambitions are curtailed by my wish for no struggle at all.

I feel I've struggled enough getting to where I am today. It's important to separate what you feel you should have achieved from what you genuinely want to achieve just for your own gratification.

Then be prepared that it's ok to try stuff out i.e. to start and to stop if it's not what you're after or if you don't enjoy it.

[Trailblazer20 in reply to Hominid711]

Thank you.

[Mamamichl]

I know if schools don’t give all their iep minutes, they must offer summer schooling to make it up. Many schools also do summer school anyway. Perhaps that’s an option?

Also tutoring can help kids catch up academically (if they are willing to try).

[STEM_Dad]

What kind of schooling do you want to make up for?

As Hominid711 mentioned, your interests would be an important factor in your educational success. ADHD attention capability is actually very interest-driven (meaning that it's easier to focus on the things that you are interested in).

~~~~~

I want to go back to college sometime. I tried college a few times (5 schools, 5 majors), but didn't earn my bachelor's. However, that was all before I knew that I have ADHD. I just can't afford the time or money to go back right now.

If you have an ADHD diagnosis, then many schools will try to give you accommodations and assistance (public colleges, especially).

[STEM_Dad in reply to STEM_Dad]

Trailblazer20 , if you are not yet diagnosed with ADHD, you might be able to get a diagnosis through a college or university testing or counseling services.

The university that I worked at for 10 years had a counseling and testing center which provided ADHD evaluations...only to students, for a fee (on a sliding scale). The university had ADHD assistance or accomodations available from that department and others.

[Trailblazer20 in reply to STEM_Dad]

I have been diagnosed. Last Thursday. It's severe. I already knew that. It's disruptive too!!!! But, the cool thing is.....I have tought myself my whole life.... enough to get by....I'd like to improve so I'm doing better than just getting by or at least stick to one thing and see it all the way through. I'm a Jill of all traids but never learned any one thing all the way through. Ughs!!!!

[STEM_Dad in reply to Trailblazer20]

That's great news! It's only the beginning of your journey. 🙂

I found my diagnosis to be very affirming.

I can identify with how you described yourself. I'm a jack of all trades...I am interested in so many things that I pick up a little of this, a little of that. I can do all sorts of things, fill many different needs (not all at once), but then I can't most things super well. My strength is in breadth of skills, not depth.

[Rustreloaded]

Could you maybe talk to the open university about what support they offer to ADHDers across their courses?. Then, once you know that, have a look at their short courses - some of which can be free so that you're not making a massive commitment to anything and approach it as just trying on different topics and the whole education process as a now supported ADHDer for size ... a smorgasbord rather than a seven course set meal. If you like the process and get the support that works for you then great, maybe do another few short courses to work out what subjects interest you and what forms of support are most useful, remembering that the type of support and the usefulness of it is likely to vary between courses so a subject might interest you but the support or delivery of that support may not work for you. If you decide to take a deeper dive into a subject that you've found grips you then go from there.

[STEM_Dad in reply to Rustreloaded]

Excellent suggestion!

[Trailblazer20]

I believe someone suggested something similar. I'll contact the university's and see what they say. Thank you

[Trailblazer20]

@STEM-Dad, @Rustreloaded, @Mamamichl and @Hominid711

I found this in regards to Education. Interesting!

additudemag.com/scholarship...

additudemag.com/symptom-che...