#ADHD #Adaptations #HighSchool #ClassroomStruggles #Homework #TeacherIssues
Don’t think I’m fit for the class? Me too! 🙅♂️
If you’ve ever struggled in school due to ADHD or felt like you didn’t belong in a certain class, you’re not alone. Many students face challenges in the classroom, especially when it comes to getting the support they need to succeed. In my own experience, I encountered difficulties in a high school class that made me question if I was really meant to be there. Let me share my story with you to shed light on the importance of understanding and accommodating students with ADHD and other learning differences.
## Diagnosed with ADHD: The Beginning of the Battle
In the 10th grade, I was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed medication to help me focus in school. However, the side effects of the medication left me feeling like a different person – moody and irritable. As a result, I made the tough decision to stop taking the meds in grade 11, hoping to find alternative ways to manage my symptoms.
## Classroom Setup: A Recipe for Disaster
In grade 11, I had a class dedicated to working on homework under the supervision of a teacher who was also my homeroom teacher. This teacher, who claimed to understand ADHD as she had it herself, seemed like a beacon of hope at first. But soon, I realized that her understanding was just surface-level.
### Adaptations and Roadblocks
– I had adaptations in place to assist with my learning, such as extra time for assignments and tests.
– Despite this, the teacher refused to allow me to use headphones in class, a crucial part of my adaptations.
### Struggles with Accommodations
– When I tried to remind the teacher about my need for headphones, she dismissed my request, stating that it would set a precedent for other students.
– This lack of accommodation made it challenging for me to focus and engage in the class.
## The Breaking Point: A Day to Remember
One day, with a mountain of responsibilities weighing me down, including a critically ill pet and a major project due, I found myself in a state of panic. The teacher publicly criticized me for my overdue assignments, adding to my stress. Unable to cope, I had a panic attack in class, signaling the breaking point of my struggles in that environment.
## Decisive Action: Dropping the Class
In the aftermath of the incident, I made the bold decision to drop the class. The teacher’s lack of understanding and support had convinced me that I didn’t belong there. With a mix of relief and disappointment, I took the necessary steps to withdraw from the class and seek a better learning environment for myself.
## Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Despite the challenges I faced in that class, there was a silver lining to the story. The following year, the teacher was replaced due to multiple complaints from students, signaling a positive change in the school environment. It taught me the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking the support needed to thrive academically.
In conclusion, my experience highlights the struggles that many students with ADHD encounter in the classroom. By sharing my story, I hope to raise awareness about the importance of understanding and accommodating students with learning differences. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a supportive and inclusive environment, and it’s essential for educators to recognize and address the unique needs of each individual.
If you resonate with my story or have faced similar challenges in the classroom, know that you’re not alone. Your experiences are valid, and it’s crucial to speak up and seek the assistance you deserve. Together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding educational system for all students. Let’s strive for a brighter future where every learner feels valued and supported in their academic journey.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Remember, you are capable, deserving, and worthy of success in every classroom you step into. 🌟
#EndTheStigma #InclusiveEducation #StrongerTogether #SupportStudentsWithADHD
In the US, teachers get fired for not complying with accommodations. The school can also lose its federal funding for not complying.
Wow, talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place!
Using ADHD logic against them was genius. She sucks for gaslighting you like that. It’s caused me to avoid doctors, college, and relationships many times.
It’s crappy teachers like this that have ruined many a student.
My daughter’s school doesn’t allow students to wear earbuds, so her IEP accommodation is massive noise cancelling headphones so no one has any doubt that she is wearing them.
I did not read the entire narrative…I am a retired Spec Ed teacher. The “adaptations” are part of a legal document and plan for your education. She, the principal and supervisors can get in a lot of legal trouble for NOT FOLLOWING the individual educational program IEP in Pennsylvania.