Does ADHD make you retarded?Am i retarded?

Question

I'm trying to get a 2.0 gpa, and i have a 1.8. right now i have 2 A's, one C+ one D, and 3 F's.I wont graduate till next year I was out of my meds for 3 months because my insurance was cancelled. Now im on adderol XR. I was told that, Colleges will never accept me, because of my hoorible grades. and i blamed my bad grades on ADHD, i didnt tell my teacher, because ONE, it's not an excuse, and TWO, it wont make a difference and teachers dont really care. People keep saying in news articles and opinion magazines and forums, that ADD freaks will never amount to anything, they are retarded, they will get low paying jobs, I hear it goes away in adulthood, but not all the time. when i hear there's a 65% chance you will have ADHD in adulthood, I was crying. If possible do you kno where i can get like a survival guide for ADHd kids, books or internet. Why is everyone calling me retarded? are they right?

Are there any Florida or National scholarships for people with ADHD?

Answer 1

No, it does not. I have ADHD and have a grade point average of 3.4, but it's going to go down. In fact, Albert Einstein might have had ADHD. http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=181805&messageID=1855029

Answer 2

NO, it does NOT make you retarded! Although you are different from many others, there are a LOT more people around you who have ADHD than you think. Don't let it hold you back. I struggle with ADHD as well, along with OCD, and I'm in 8th grade, so I can get an idea of what you're going through. just don't give in to people who call you retarded, and whatever you do, don't give up in school. You can make it through with ADHD and still graduate. Just ask your teachers for some help. Sure, there are some teachers that won't really care. For example, my Language Arts teacher kind of hates me just because I cause her to sacrifice 1 minute or less of her time every other day. You are going to get teachers like that. however, there's always at least one teacher who will understand. Also, if you're not currently on a 504 plan, then I recommend that you ask for one. It allows you to do things like have a bit of extra time on a big test or a homework assignment if you need it. As long as you don't exploit it all the time, your GPA should rise substantially. Finally, just remember one thing: you're not alone. So many other people have ADD/ADHD, so don't think that you're the only person who has it and that you will never ever be able to take control of it or get advice on how to deal with things while also dealing with it. Also, there are a lot of people who get incredibly good jobs who have ADHD, and ADHD does go away mostly when you grow older for a lot of people. But in the meantime, just don't give up, find some help if you need it, and do whatever is necessary to deal with your ADHD.
Good luck. :)

Answer 3

Hi there,

No, ADD or ADHD does not mean you are "retarded". Attention Deficit does not mean that you can not pay attention; it means that you pay attention to everything! The problem is that because there is so much going on that is interesting, people often tend to choose those things that they find interesting, not necessarily choosing to do what they should be doing. In a school setting that means that chances are the fly buzzing outside the window is far more interesting than what the teacher is saying. Does it go away? No, most doctors seem to agree that ADD/ADHD is biochemical disorder and it's something that you are born with. Why they still do not know; sugar intake has been one theory but I do not know how much it has been studied.

Regarding future options the sky is the limit. People who have "conditions" (for lack of a better word) are not stupid; they will need to learn how to cope with their inherent difficulties. As to resources for help, you might want to contact a local Learning Disabled society. Not that LD and ADD are the same (they are very, very different!) but there is a high comorbidity and so often the two go hand in hand. They should be able to help provide information or put you on the right track.

Answer 4

It would help your teachers if they knew of your learning disabilities. Most schools have classes for the learning disabled with teachers to specialize in various aspects of mental disabilities. Yes, it takes you longer to learn or you need to learn differently than most people. I learn by taking notes, my son learns by hearing, my brother and my son both had problems reading. It is still hard for them, but one is an electrical engineer and the other learned on jobs and now owns his own business and is very successful. Talk to your school social worker, psychologist or trusted teacher. Do your parents know how you feel. I am sure there are books out there, but a professional can probably help you find the book you want.

PS Kids can be mean. and I don't know how you can change that except to know that since your read so much about ADHD you must be pretty smart. When you do graduate go to a community college and take 1 or 2 courses that interest you the most - or try something totally different, like acting or drawing. You might even work for a year, then go back to school. Good luck

Answer 5

I was diagnosed with adult ADHD 2 years ago...before then, i had spent 12 yrs trying to get through junior college...not because i'm not a smart person, or retarded...i'm not...i am very indecisive, my attention shifts and i get disinterested in things really quickly...i am also a huge procrastinator, without my meds...i hadn't filled out any pprwk for financial aid because i always missed the deadline lol..when i finally got on track, i filled out the pprwk only to be denied because i had taken over 99hrs at a jr college and they don't pay after that...i wrote a letter to the dean explaining to him my condition and he granted me aid...you can be accepted to college and people will listen...it is true that some people don't understand the condition and they think it's an excuse when you tell them about it, but there are some that do understand that ADHD is so serious that it ruins lives sometimes...i'm 30, very much ADD and doing well...you can make it

Answer 6

First you are not retarded. ADHD effects you ability to pay attention so it is very common for people with ADHD to do poorly in school, especially unmedicated. I understand because I have ADD and my younger brother has ADHD. It's tough, especially when you don't want to tell people because you don't want them to think you are retarded.

The classes that you have to take over again, work really hard in them, If you find you are struggling go after school to the teacher and try to get help. Showing this effort will show potential schools that you are really trying hard. Also, when you write your college essays you can write about having ADHD and how you work hard. Talk about the time you have spent trying to better yourself.

If you don't get into a great college right off the bat you can always go to a community college for a year and get good grades there. Then you can take those grades and transfer to another school.

I did it and I know you can too. Just keep trying and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Answer 7

I have ADHD and a college degree in MIS (which is a computer engineering degree). I don't have a good job yet though. The things people say about ADD are across the board. But the information they are giving you good or bad is NOT information at all, it is subjective, and is neither here or there. The only time it matters is if that person plays a significant role in your life. That said, you must be persistant, always use logical versions of events to prove any case your running into trouble with, whether its a scholorship, college entry or otherwise, it pays to have knowledge and speak up about it! Thats how Ive gotten this far- but I did so only by knowing my interests and talents. Once you can identify these abilities and interests you will be able to improve them. Sometimes a therapist/social worker can lead you in the write direction. Try to refrain talking about disorders, things that are negative, and stuff like that so that the negative people don't speak up.

Answer 8

Heck no ADHD doesn't make a person retarded and
NO YOU ARE NOT RETARDED!
It is a fact that ADHD people are usually very creative and lots of famous people have ADHD, as well as many famous artists and inventors of the past had ADHD. Look it up on this website; adhdrelief.com/famous.html
And you can also get books on the subject of ADHD and how to live with it etc at any local library. Just ask the librarian to help you find it. Also your school library.

Good luck

Answer 9

you are not retarded and people have no right to tell you that.
i am NOT adhd and i could barley sustain a 2.0 gpa so youarent doing that bad.
ADHD just means that your attentions shifts quickly and randomly making it near impossible for you to focus on your own. Your brains is just taking in too much at once.
I think it is shitty of your parents to have let the insurance lapse stop you from getting the neds you needed to be successful in school.
ADHD is not an excuse, but it is a valid reason for your less than perfect grades. Try talking to your teachers 1 on 1 and explaing the situation to them. let them know that you are trying to the best of your ability. Tell them about the 3 months without your meds and see if there is any extra credit you can do.

Answer 10

ADHD and ADD does not make you retarded. Your low grades will make it hard to get into a college but your local tech colllege will accept you. You were entitled to help in school with the american disablitlies act and you should have had your parents insist on this help for you. THe school is required to make modifications for you. You will have ADHD all your life. It is not something that goes away. You are not stupid and not retarded but just not getting all of the help that you should have been getting from your school system. Ask your parents to go in and talk to your counselor and get the help that you should have been getting all along with an IEP. You cannot blame your bad grades on your ADHD as help is available but only if you speak up and ask for it plus your parents making sure the school gives you the modifications you were entitled to. You will amount to a lot but only if you speak up and ask for the help that is available.

Answer 11

YOU ARE NOT RETARDED!!! Don't let others, who are ignorant on the disorder, have you believe that for a MINUTE! I am bipolar and the first thing my good doctor said, before I had a minute to freak out, was that I was not crazy. You aren't either. You do need therapy and medication to help you balance out your behavior. You can do this and have it remain a good habit. I was what they called back then a 'slow learner'. They didn't know of ADHD. I had it and probably still do. I need medication as well. Never go off your medications as you will go thru some confusing times. You can get your grades up. Don't give up. I believe in you.