ADHD at School…There were Signs!!

I was recently referred by my GP to a doctor up the coast to go on the (very long) waiting list for a formal ADHD diagnosis. After I called the clinic (twice, because I forgot the email address that she gave me 3 seconds after putting the phone down the first time), I am now waiting patiently for my appointment.

I got to thinking about what he might ask me about why I am pursuing a diagnosis at age 46, and maybe about how ADHD showed up in my childhood. I have heard some newly diagnosed adults say that doctors asked about their school reports as part of the process. I checked in with my mum over in England, but we no longer have them, though I would love to read those old reports now, and do wonder what each of my teachers might have written…

Did Mr. S ever mention how many times he threw the chalk board rubber at my head in math because I was away with the fairies and staring into space?

Did he ever mention the time I drew a less than flattering picture of him, complete with stinky armpit steam and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth on the newly installed white board - in permanent marker, as I later realised as he thundered down the corridor towards the classroom? Not smart, Jodie - but very funny, until it wasn’t - crowd favourite that one.

Did Mr. H ever mention the numerous times that I started a whole class ‘Mexican Wave’ when he turned his back on us to write on the board in science?

Or the time that he’d had enough of said waves and threw me out of the classroom and insisted that I stand outside the door and not cross the threshold until September (new school year in England, and much to his relief a new science teacher) and it was only February…oops? “Get out, and stay out until September, Jodie P!”

Did Mrs. W mention the times that I didn’t want to read The Merchant of Venice out loud to my Year 9 English class (the total embarrassment of reading aloud was real), so I proceeded to read in various international accents so she’d get fed up and move on to the next person.

Or maybe the time when she was no longer buying my Irish and German rendition of chapter 6, and therefore left me no choice but to throw myself off my chair like I’d been shot! Result - utter chaos, and she chucked me out of classroom indefinitely…no more embarrassing reading out loud.

I wonder did Miss. S ever mention how I’d burst into tears at the mere mention of a test or exam, and would meltdown completely if the tables were set out in exam rows when I entered the classroom or hall (despite the fact I was in all the top grades and didn’t actually struggle academically). It was just all too much.

Did the Head Teacher Mr. B ever put in writing his quote from Parent Teacher Interviews - “She can carry on as she is and get B’s and C’s in her GCSEs, or she can start concentrating and be a lawyer or a doctor.” Here I am, not a lawyer or a doctor (but a marvellous naturopath). 1995 GCSE Results = 4x B’s and 5x C’s.

So, I am genuinely wondering if I’ll actually need those school reports? Or whether the doctor might just take my word for it that I definitely showed signs of ADHD when I was at school…?

I’ll let you know.