A bit of background information

Here is a bit about me and clues that led to my diagnoses with ADD and the journey that follows as far as I can remember it.

I was a very active baby, had colic and cows milk protein sensitivity for awhile. I had a few other allergies and sensitive skin. I did not sleep through the night until I was about 18 months old. My mum tells me I talked early in pretty close to full adult type sentences and words and have never stopped since. I was had childhood migrains but later outgrew it for awhile (I get them occasionally now as an adult though).

I was reading through my old elementary school report cards and comments from my teachers. I have reports from K-Gr6. The things they noticed were some of the following. 

• Trouble with focus and attention span. 
• Difficulty with  certain math concepts in the earlier grades, seemed to get better for awhile later.
• Needed more time and encouragement for consistent neatness in work
• Would hand in assignments late.
• Sloppy work when not totally focused on it.
• Often found the neatest tasks overwhelming and often slows down to a complete stop before attempting some assignments
• Time management issues on completing work even though I was capable of completing it
• French Grammar and punctuation
• trouble with expository writing in english
• trouble with reading in ‘meaning as a whole’ and ‘words in context’ or synonyms
• patience in research?
• Trouble working with some groups of people but worked well independently
• did not like to participate orally in group activities.
• needed to study more on certain occasions
• had some trouble with French vocab and conjugations
• work habits coincided with my mood at the time.

They also noticed these things:

• Art was my happiness and my eyes lit up for art class
• good at creative writing and music, computers, tech ed and all the other fun and creative electives
• Liked and did well in PE.
• Creative efforts in my work in general
• helpful, cheerful and always tried my best
• Speech making should be a strength in my future (hmm not sure I believe this, I hate speaking in front of people now)

My mum noted:

• Social issues with friends/classmates at various times 
• I tended to end up a bit of the outcast
• Yelled and had tantrums 
• Tried to isolate myself sometimes
• Would get upset when my desks were moved at school (hated change)
• Lots of tears about many things

I dont remember much from Gr7 and 8 or high school stuff but I know high school was a lot better though slow reading was a bit of an issue sometimes. 

In Grade 2 I think was when I started Kumon to help improve my math. I hated it but it definitely was worth it.

I was given an assessment at the grade 3 time period at UBC and have the report but dont remember much about it except getting a toy on the way home from a nearby toy store.

After I completed Grade 6 I was diagnosed with ADHD combined type. I only remember doing something on a really old laptop and dont remember anything else about this at all. I also have the report and have read it.

My parents did a lot of subtle things to help me out. I took a study skills course in summer one year. My parents structured my home life and let me run around after school and play as my brain had had enough at that point in time. I would then do homework which I remember sometimes took forever. No TV was allowed after dinner as it would wind my already tightly wound brain up and not allow me to sleep. School being school was already structured. I don't remember noticing any of these things my parents did but am glad they did them. 

So while I was often frustrated with my parents on many levels I have come to realize they did everything because they wanted what was best for me. 

I graduated in 2002 and went to University right away. I completed half of a degree in archaeology before the classes became impossible to get into. Too small a class size not offered often enough and too many people wanting to get into them. Very annoying. I did an office admin course and later a veterinary assistant course before completely a Diploma in Animal Health Technology in 2009 and writing my board exam that summer to be able to call myself an RAHT.

I love learning and will probably always be taking some kind of random course here and there. 

More on where I am now and how this journey I am on got started later.