My Academic Challenges as a Dyslexic and ADHD Student by Richard

My Academic Challenges as a Dyslexic and ADHD Student by Richard - May 2021 Scholarship Essay

As I reflect upon the past 12 years of school, one of the biggest academic challenges for me as a student has been learning how to read and write without reversing letters. When I first began elementary school, my mom took me to an ophthalmologist who discovered that my eyes would skip several lines when I was reading. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and I was reversing my letters when reading and writing. Everything in school seemed impossible and difficult for me. At that time, I found myself often getting distracted and could not sit still or concentrate. All the sights and sounds around me at school were very overstimulating and I had trouble listening and learning. I was then diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder along with dyslexia. With my parents and teachers support, I began a dyslexic program in elementary school which taught me strategies to learn how to be successful to read and write.
I can truly say even after learning the dyslexic strategies, I still struggled in classes that had huge reading content such as history and writing components in English. I often had to receive modifications and extra time on my tests so that I could be successful with my disability. I had very supportive teachers throughout middle school and high school who were very patient with my disability. In high school, I found the content and classes overwhelming and I had to learn new ways to transition and how to keep myself organized. I was able to take regular classes with assistance and understanding teachers along with my modifications. I found myself going to tutorials often and getting help. I was provided with several assistive technology supports such as Speech to text, Grammarly, and spelling check. These applications have made my school learning easier and more efficient.
As a senior, I can say that school has not been easy for me as a student with Dyslexia and ADHD; however, I have learned how to manage my learning in school and to my surprise have been overall successful. Despite the unusual circumstances with COVID this year, I have had to learn to adjust and be flexible with virtual learning which has also been tough for me. High school has been an overall fun journey for me with my supportive friends and band family. I am excited to graduate and celebrate this year with my classmates. Hooray PSHS Class of 2021!
My future goal is to attend Collin College technical college and to get a certificate in Electronic Engineering technology. I am excited to see where this next adventure will take me!