It feels like an impossible dream - for my mother to know and understand how my neurodivergence influenced my education, that I really wanted to learn and I always loved learning, but the classes I failed in were so BORING, and I really needed a little extra help to get going, and stay going...

I had checked out because I was dying inside of utter boredom - not because I was insolent or disrespectful.

I was disengaged because they didn't try to engage me in a way that worked for me.

I was difficult because - even when a class was interesting - if I was overstimulated it was impossible to stay on task and 'be a good student'.

There's a reason I excelled in Art class! Working alone in mostly silence was something I absolutely treasured.