I am not sure where to start. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexcia and other learning disablities since 1976. I was put in a special school and took special classes through high school. The odd thing was my family never talked about it and exept for the dyslexcia; I didn't know what I had other disablities until I came across the original report in 1988.

As some of you, I'm sure have experienced. I felt stupid and not as bright as my four "Striaght "A" Student" sisters. I had to work hard for just passing grades and felt like the outcast/black sheep of the family. To this day they don't quit get me. On paper I have a higher IQ then the gerneral public (as I'm possitive we all do). I can think my way out of most any problem and have found the skills both social and emotional to servive.

Most people have no clue that I have tricks I use to get by and seem "normal". Unforunatly there are still things that make me stand out and after 37 year I am learning to exept them. Like not being able to spell my way out of a paper bag. I only see words phonetically (I used spell check:( ) and if I have not seen them in print, I probaly can't pronounce or spell them.

Eventhough over the last few years I have felt the twinge of haveing to hide a secret. I also felt a bit of pride knowing that I was able to do things and use my skill better them the general public (i.e. Look at something and just knowing how it works and beable to fix it.)

To put myself out on a limb and show my soft under belly. I am glad a friend refered me to this site, but I feel like the curve on the IQ meter just went up. That everyone on this site is brighter then average and I am low man on the totem poll all over again.

Does anyone else out there fell the same way?

Isthar

P.S. This site really needs Spell Check.:cool:

Yea I agree with the spellcheck, don't worry I requested it and they said it is coming when they do the ,major upgrade. Turn that frown upside down and look happy this is the place where you can get help.

My grades used to pass ok except for the fact it wasn't my work, I use to cheat alot. My spelling is a load of **** so yea in answer to your question sometimes. My IQ is nice and high that is why I was pretty good and maths although I hated it.

Look you have found lots of help because you came to this site and we're are all your friends because we're one big happy family of the sometime Silly and random AD/HD family. But we are very forgiving towards each other.

So start climbing that Totem Pole climb right to the very top and know you are great in your own way. Just because you have a few minor problems doesn't mean your worse then your Strait A sisters.

Have faith in your self, know you can do it, have self confidence start the day by putting on a clean pair of undies followed by pants then if you wish a shirt.

Forget what every other person thinks who doesn't have ADD just do what you think ADD is not a Disorder it is a gift ( I know I sound like a nut now but this is what I think) use this gift use it to it's full ADDvantage. :D :D :D :D :D :o

I am shocked, shocked I tell you, that they haven't put a spell check right here in the message box. Like you, I'm not a great speller and I usually put my posts through spell check on another program.



I've shown my soft underside too. Here is one of my past posts.

"It impairs your whole life. Why did I have to fail grade 5? Why did I have to wait until 22 before I really connected to a girl? Why was I a pothead for 2 years of my life with a kilo of weed in my brother's trunk? Why did it take me until I was 35 to find permanent full time employment( at that point I had stopped smoking pot for 17 years) ?

I righted myself in the end but that may have been due to a bit of ******* luck...so much could have gone wrong.

Barkley does a wonderful job of explaining the impairment. This is a marvelous document. http://www.continuingedcourses.net/...s/course003.php

If you want further proof of ADHD's impairing qualities just look at the daily posts on this board. I see a few car wrecks in here everynight.

Having said all that, it doesn't have to control you. You can have a normal life. I just feel that sometimes people paper over how tough it really can be".




Finally take a look at my signature. It would be great if all memebers had a signature which came from their report cards. It would show who we are, where we came from, and where we have gone. The comments can be entertaining also.

I am not sure where to start. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexcia and other learning disablities since 1976. I was put in a special school and took special classes through high school..........................
Everyone is different and no one should expect you and everyone else to conform to one level,so don't think of people as being better or worse,think of people as having strengths and weaknesses,you say your spelling is bad,but I bet you can do certain things better than anyone else,whether it be academic or otherwise.


I know what you mean about being compared to siblings,parents are not supposed to compare siblings but they still do it regardless.
My parents were always comparing me to my sister,saying why wasn't I as good as her at school,all the time,they thought I was a failiure at academic things,but my sister was the one coming to me asking how to word parts of her CV,A level and degree course work.

The world would be a lot simpler,if people stopped trying to conform to this one unrealistic idea of complete normality-great at everything,everyone has weaknesses and strong points,and it's unfair to keep forcing this idea on others,we are all individuals and should be expected to be that way.

It doesn't matter about your spelling on this forum,people here are understanding,
if people don't like your spelling it's their problem,but I very much doubt you will get that kind of attitude here.

If you still would like to make sure everything is proper and finished,how about using.......
*MS Word
*MS Works
*Open Office
*Konqueror browser

for now,if you're not using a spell checker already?

Thanks all for the words of encouragement. I to usually go through another program for spell check, but then my OCD kicks in and I edit the hell out of the post. I usually finish it an hour later and well you know the rest. I am trying not to be so annul

So what I am getting from your resposess is to.. Chill out and know I am on an even playing field with everyone here one way or the other.

Thanks again,

Ishtar