LETHBRIDGE- Assignments, studying and exams. It’s a lot of pressure for any student, but add in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and it can feel unbearable.
For University of Lethbridge student Zac Erickson thoughts of not being capable were running through his mind, “I’m just an idiot or I’m just lazy, I’m not responsible, I must be stupid or whatever.”
Erickson was diagnosed with ADHD during his 3rd year of university, and says it hasn’t been an easy road, “It’s something you can very easily feel sorry for yourself over.”
He’s now working on his last year of a masters degree in Neuroscience. The high pressure year has become bearable after being selected for the Shire ADHD Scholarship.
One student from Alberta, plus four more from other provinces are given $1,500 dollars, plus coaching to deal with the disorder.
“Working with my coach is just developing strategies and habits to stay organized and stay on top of everything and, basically achieve the goals that I have set for myself,” adds Erickson.
Heidi Bernhardt is the president and executive director of the Centre For ADHD Awareness in Canada. She says dealing with the disorder is a struggle for most, “We find that many students who enter post secondary with ADHD who don’t have someone to work with on this, very often fail out first or second year.”
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Erickson receives an hour of coaching per week over the phone, he says it’s not only making a difference with his education but also his everyday life, “It’’s good to have the cash but the coaching has been life changing. The coaching has been for one year but, being able to then take what I have learned and apply it is going to be huge.”
But in order for students to access help, the first step is acknowledging the disorder.
Thousands of Canadians deal with ADHD every day, without a diagnosis.
“It’s one of the most common mental health conditions so we are looking at 5 per cent of children and 4 percent of adults and that is the most conservative number,” adds Bernhardt. Erickson has embraced his diagnosis, and says now he is able to move forward with a bright future, “Acknowledging that you have a problem isn’t the same as using it as an excuse and it’s not the same as calling yourself less than because of it either.”
Most Canadians diagnosed with ADHD do not receive any financial aid and coaching is an out of pocket expense.
Through the scholarship, nearly $5,000 dollars worth of sessions are provided.
The deadline to apply for this year’s scholarship is April 15th.
Applications are done online at www.shireadhdscholarship.com
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