My School Experience
I’m a 16-year-old bisexual male with minor ADHD and autism, living with my aunt and grandma in Florida. As a Puerto Rican, my journey through school has been quite challenging. When I first moved here, I was incredibly shy and anxious, especially in my first school where I was placed in a special education class. It was chaotic, and I often found myself hiding in the classroom closet with the old toys, trying to escape the overwhelming environment.
Unfortunately, I was kicked out when I defended myself during an incident where another student was throwing chairs. I was mistakenly deemed a danger because I held up a small piece of plastic like a knife. My next school was even worse, with daily fights occurring in elementary school. Thankfully, my grandma intervened and transferred me to a different school that initially seemed promising. However, that teacher’s actions left me in a panic when she took my book and placed it on a high shelf, leading to another incident that ended with me being pinned down and the police involved.
My grandma considered legal action, but ultimately she felt pressured to back down due to the circumstances. After that ordeal, I attended a summer school to help improve my grades, but the conditions there were deplorable. The food was awful, and the teacher was verbally abusive, using slurs to belittle me. One day I responded, and in the ensuing struggle, I was pushed into a table, with my teacher claiming self-defense.
Subsequent schools continued to be tumultuous. In one classroom, fights broke out frequently, and I remember a terrifying incident in art class when a student flipped over tables and almost hurt my principal. I often felt scared and overwhelmed, seeking comfort on the bus ride home. Eventually, I ended up at a school that understood autism and ADHD, providing a much better environment—until COVID hit, and I was stuck learning from home.
Middle school brought a wave of new challenges. I faced severe bullying from both students and staff, including some harrowing experiences with rumors and inappropriate comments. Despite a local police officer being involved, he mishandled the situation, allowing misinformation to continue spreading. My classmates often clashed, leading to more altercations and an unmanageable environment. After a series of false accusations against me, my grandma finally withdrew me from that school and chose to homeschool me for my mental health.
High school began well at a newly built school, but the bullying resurfaced. I found myself again targeted by wealthier students who believed they could act with impunity. An incident involving my phone led to a two-week suspension, which only intensified the harassment I faced both online and in person. After enduring that for nearly a year, my grandma decided to take me out and enroll me in a different school, where, thankfully, I’ve found a more supportive environment.
I write this from home, as I’m currently on homebound instruction due to feeling physically unwell. I’d really like to hear your thoughts on my school experiences.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with school. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot—more than many people can imagine. Navigating school can be really challenging, especially when dealing with ADHD and autism, and it’s clear that you faced some incredibly tough situations.
It’s understandable that you felt scared and alone in environments that weren’t supportive. It’s frustrating to hear about the lack of adequate responses from teachers and staff when you were being bullied or mishandled. It’s also not okay that some adults in those situations showed a lack of understanding or empathy.
I’m glad to hear that your current school is going well for the most part, and I hope you continue to find support and care in your education. Having a safe and nurturing environment is crucial for your well-being. Remember, it’s important to prioritize your mental and physical health, and seeking help when you’re feeling weak or sick is completely okay. You deserve to be in a place where you can thrive. Stay strong, and keep sharing your story—it’s important!