ADHD affects students in different ways. Graphic courtesy of senior Téa Fischer.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, affects many students at San Luis Obispo High School.
“[ADHD] makes it a lot harder to focus and be involved in my schoolwork. It kind of sets me back especially when I’m trying to stay motivated and complete the ton of homework that I have,” said a freshman with ADHD.
It is estimated that around ten percent of high school students have been diagnosed with ADHD, but around six percent remain undiagnosed. The price for an ADHD diagnosis is between one hundred and three thousand dollars in the United States. For many people official testing is just out of the budget, so cases often go untreated because of lack of funds.
ADHD also changes the way people can be perceived in a social environment. They may seem spacey or too excited, ADHD can present itself in different ways depending on the person.
“I try not to stick out. I know there is an obvious distinction from other people. Most people just don’t understand it,” said the same freshman with ADHD.
Around seventy percent of children diagnosed with ADHD are medicated. The average cost a year for medication is between five-hundred and fifteen-hundred dollars.
“In order to perform in school, you need that kind of drug. If they charge that much more, then the kids who can’t afford it can’t perform as well in school,” said a senior who has observed the effects of ADHD.
ADHD can present itself in many ways, from being hyperactive to not wanting to function. Motivation comes in waves, you never know how productive you can be on a certain day.
“There’s been less motivation to do things sometimes or sometimes you feel like you need to do everything you have ever had for an assignment in your life in one night,” said senior Noah Kimbrell.
While ADHD can affect the way people perform in a social and academic setting, it does not make them any less capable.
Sources: cdc.gov, greymatterpsych.com, nationalinstituteofmentalhealth.gov
