Returning to school as an adult with ADHD comes with unique challenges and insights. The journey includes overcoming misdiagnoses and internal barriers while finding empowerment in self-advocacy. Personal stories reveal struggles with societal stigma and the importance of academic accommodations. The conversation shifts to the value of embracing education at any age and discovering personal growth through new experiences. Listeners are encouraged to pursue their educational paths with confidence, despite past setbacks.
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Quick takeaways
Navigating school as a neurodivergent adult often involves addressing feelings of inadequacy and advocating for necessary accommodations to succeed academically.
Emphasizing intrinsic motivation and personal goals can help neurodivergent students overcome societal expectations and rediscover their commitment to education.
Deep dives
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Experiencing School as a Neurodivergent Adult
Navigating school as a neurodivergent adult often comes with unique challenges, influenced by various diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities. These conditions can profoundly impact one’s academic experience, often leading to feelings of inadequacy alongside a struggle to access proper support and accommodations. Personal stories highlight the importance of supportive teachers who recognize students' needs, as well as the adverse experiences that many neurodivergent individuals face in traditional educational settings. This landscape underscores how critical it is to foster understanding and adapt teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles.
The Importance of Personal Motivation in Education
Returning to school often involves self-discovery and the need to push past familial expectations or societal standards, focusing instead on personal goals. Many individuals grapple with feelings of inadequacy stemming from past school experiences and the pressure of comparing themselves to accomplished family members. Emphasizing the need for intrinsic motivation can help alleviate these burdens, driving individuals to pursue education for their enrichment rather than for external validation. By centering their aspirations around helping others or fulfilling personal dreams, many students find renewed purpose and commitment to their education.
Advocating for Accommodations
Students returning to school may find that advocating for accommodations is crucial for navigating their academic environment successfully. Overcoming challenges related to outdated systems and the need for specific support fosters both empowerment and a sense of accountability for one's needs. Effective accommodations can range from extended exam time and preferential seating to the freedom to take breaks or request assistance with assignments. The journey of advocating for these adjustments not only serves individual needs but can also lead to broader changes in educational accessibility for future students.
Returning to school as a neurodivergent adult brings unique challenges, and we are discussing all aspects of this topic in today’s episode. I’m joined by “The Neuro-Spicy Student,” Amber, to share her experience and perspective on this topic. Join us!
Show Highlights:
Amber’s “alphabet soup” of diagnoses, misdiagnoses, and disabilities
Amber’s childhood experience in school
Two sides of the coin for most neurodivergent students
Amber’s story of multiple attempts at college and (finally) earning multiple degrees
Internal barriers in returning to school as an adult
A common experience for adults with ADHD: Learning and learning and learning—without formal degrees to show for it
Differences in going to school as an older student with accommodations
Finding empowerment in advocating for yourself–and healing your younger self
Specific accommodations you can ask for in college
Amber’s parting words for listeners considering a return to school