ADHD Aha! Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but she didn’t find out until college (Atira’s story)
Nov 11, 2025
Atira Roberson, a passionate learning disability advocate and English teacher from Arkansas, shares her compelling journey of discovering her ADHD and other diagnoses in college. She reflects on the impact of being shielded from her diagnoses growing up, the stigma of being a Black girl with learning disabilities, and the bullying that shaped her self-perception. Atira's passion for teaching stems from her experiences, leading her to develop classroom strategies aimed at creating safe, supportive environments for students with ADHD.
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Early Diagnosis Hidden Until College
- Atira was evaluated in kindergarten/first grade and placed in resource room, but her parents didn't fully tell her the diagnosis.
- She only discovered her IEP details in college when she requested her records and read them herself.
How Her Learning Differences Work
- Specific learning disability affects basic psychological processes like intake of written or verbal information.
- Atira links dyscalculia to number-processing issues and auditory processing delay to repeated requests for information.
Resource Room And Maternal Advocacy
- Atira attended resource room and enjoyed the break but still felt different and was bullied.
- Her mother advocated for appropriate work rather than baby tasks, ensuring Atira didn't 'fall through the cracks.'