I wanted to talk a bit about my ADHD, but I'm finding it difficult to begin. Unlike most women, I actually got a diagnosis early in life. My diagnosis was actually incidental. As a child, people would talk to me, and I would not hear them. I was tested for a number of things 1/?

Including hearing loss starting in 3rd grade. My hearing was great. It turned out I had a central nervous system disorder that stopped me from processing information. I had to do a program to improve that (I hated it, but it worked). There was still something wrong, though. 2/?

I would blank out for large amounts of time, and I had problems with school work. We had these stupid timed math tests. We had to do as many fractions as possible in 1 min. I would never get close to finishing them, but I would get everything I answered correct. 3/?

Thankfully my doctor figured out that I had the inattentive type of ADHD. I spent the next few years getting my medicine right. I could finally get through a day without blacking out. Unfortunately, ADHD has other symptoms. I could not remember to do my homework. 4/?

My teachers had to check that I wrote down the assignments everyday. My mom had to check that I did everything at night. I would skip entire pages of tests, because I didn't notice them. I actually started improving through out middle school, until eighth grade.

I remember all of the teachers who treated me poorly (except for their names; more on that later). My first grade homeroom teacher, eighth grade science teacher, and tenth grade world lit teacher were the most damaging.

(I just realized that I stopped numbering the thread, oops.)

In first grade I was still undiagnosed with ADHD and the central nervous system disorder. I accidentally crossed a (private, on school property) road without permission while spaced out, and got detention.

Same teacher accused me of cheating on a test. I don't know if I did or not, because I couldn't even remember at the time. Strangely, this is the only teacher who's name I remember.

In eighth grade I was doing well, until this science class completely derailed my progress. It wasn't the only problem, as I kept getting very sick in seventh and eighth grade. I can't really remember the details for this year, because I was a mess. It led to me changing schools.

I was much happier in highschool, but I never managed to overcome my forgetfulness. My tenth grade world lit teacher would always give me the "You’re very smart, but..." speech, which only made me hate myself.

I had an IEP, and this teacher knew about my disorder. The adults around me did not understand how damaging their words were to me. I still have nightmares about missing assignments, and being late to class (this was a college problem).

I wanted to be a better student, but nothing worked. I was to be better at organization, as if that were a choice. I was given the same advice on organization since fifth grade. When I pointed out that it had never worked before, I was dismissed.

A calender isn't very helpful if you forget you have it. The calender was kept on the front door, and I still missed it.

I mentioned earlier my terrible memory with regards to names. It took me two weeks to remember a good friend from highschool's name. I can remember only a few teachers names. Thankfully, I remember almost all of my K-12 friends names.

There is more, but I have to get up for work at 6am. Thankfully I am in a much better place now. I have learned to stop judging myself so harshly, and I have very supportive co-workers. I just really hope more kids don't have to go through this. It's traumatizing.