My School Journey
I’m a 16-year-old Puerto Rican male, identifying as bisexual. Diagnosed with mild ADHD and autism, I’ve had a challenging experience in schools throughout my life. For the past few years, I’ve lived with my aunt and grandmother in Florida.
When I first moved here, I attended a school where I felt incredibly shy and anxious. I was placed in a special education class, surrounded by kids with various challenges. The environment was chaotic, and I often found myself hiding in the classroom closet with some old toys, trying to escape the noise. Unfortunately, I was removed from that school after a misunderstanding; I held up a piece of plastic during a moment of chaos when another student was throwing chairs, and they deemed me a danger.
My next school experience was even worse, filled with frequent fights among students. After that, my grandma transferred me to a different school that initially seemed promising. However, I faced a troubling incident where a teacher placed my book on a high shelf, and when I tried to retrieve it, I panicked and accidentally hit her as she restrained me. This led to a police officer getting involved, and my grandma considered legal action, but she backed off after being threatened by the school.
Later, I went to summer school to catch up on my studies, but the experience was terrible. The food was spoiled, and one of the teachers bullied me, using slurs to demean me. After I retaliated verbally, she pushed me into a table and claimed self-defense, which led to more complications.
Throughout elementary school, I witnessed numerous fights, including one in art class where a classmate flipped tables and injured the principal. I often felt overwhelmed, and I remember hiding on the bus afterward, crying for comfort.
Eventually, I arrived at a school that understood and catered to students with autism and ADHD. I made some progress until COVID-19 hit, forcing me to attend school from home.
Middle school was a nightmare filled with bullying, rumors, and harassment from both students and staff. I was groped by a classmate, and a counselor’s insensitive comment about my eating habits left me feeling even more isolated. False reports from classmates escalated the situation to the point where law enforcement had to be involved. I also encountered problematic behavior from a resource officer who didn’t adequately handle sensitive issues.
After a particularly rough time, my grandma decided to withdraw me from that school and homeschool me to help me recover mentally.
High school began with promise at a newly built school, but soon bullying resumed. I was scapegoated by affluent classmates who targeted me for their own amusement. An unfortunate incident involving an inappropriate image on my phone led to unfair backlash, and I was suspended for two weeks as a result. Harassment continued both online and in-person, severely affecting my mental and physical health.
Now, I’m in a new school, and things have improved overall. However, I’m currently on homebound instruction due to feeling physically unwell.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about my experiences in school.
Thank you for sharing your experiences; it sounds like you’ve been through an incredibly challenging journey. It’s clear that you’ve faced a lot of adversity, and it’s heartbreaking to hear how difficult your school environment has been.
Navigating school can be tough for anyone, but with the added challenges of ADHD and autism, it can be even harder. It’s great to hear that you’re currently in a school where things are going better for you, and I hope you can continue to find support and understanding there.
It’s so important for schools to create safe, supportive environments for all students, and it’s frustrating to see how many setbacks and harmful experiences you’ve encountered along the way. Your courage in sharing your story is commendable, and I hope that by opening up, you can find some solidarity and understanding from others who may have faced similar struggles.
Remember, you deserve to feel safe and supported in your learning environment, and advocating for yourself and seeking help from trusted adults can make a difference. If you ever need to talk about your experiences or emotions, consider reaching out to someone who can provide guidance or support. You’re not alone!