For the applied assignment in EDUC-610, this artifact will show through qualitative research how a common theme emerged, which was the link between self-perception and educational attainment.
I met my participant, Kelsie, in 2019 during my education degree. I had just moved to a new province and was lucky enough to find my new roommate and I had something in common, we were both from rural Newfoundland. She had just started Law school and I would have never figured there was a point in her life where she struggled with school. I learned that she was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 21 and her journey towards this diagnosis was not an easy one. Through this assignment, I was able to articulate something I have witnessed as an educator one too many times. As someone who did not outwardly present as having ADHD, she was dismissed time and time again and her journey towards a diagnosis was not an easy road. The themes that were identified during our interview were: behaviours associated with ADHD/mental health, the feeling of shame or not belonging, lack of support in school and awareness of ADHD helping with autonomy.
I felt that this type of research was important to pursue; as for Kelsie felt towards and her continued reflection on her late diagnosis is not uncommon to what many who have been in her situation have felt.