u/Dry_Shallot5074

I found out I had ADHD late. For most of school, I just assumed I was slow.

Other students walked out like the information had sorted itself somewhere on the way in. I walked out with notes I couldn't remember taking.

What actually helped me was YouTube. Someone breaking a concept into short visual pieces worked in a way that reading never did. I didn't overthink it at the time. I just knew it worked, and quietly accepted that I needed more steps.

This semester I'm doing a Design Thinking subject. The brief is to find a real problem and build something. I could have picked something safe. Instead I went with the thing that's been following me through school.

I pitched it to my professor. He understood ADHD broadly but hadn't thought about how classrooms specifically fail students with it. Once I walked him through it, he backed the project through the college. Didn't expect that

The idea: you type in a concept, and the platform generates a short animated video, two to three minutes, that actually explains it. Not a summary. A real walkthrough, built for people whose attention drifts, who need the pacing to feel right, and who learn better through visuals than paragraphs.

Take photosynthesis. You type it in. You get a short video. sunlight hitting a leaf, water moving up from the roots, carbon dioxide coming in, glucose and oxygen as the output. shown step by step, not crammed into one shot. Pause it, replay a section, and the pacing adjusts around where you actually are.

I'm building what I kept wishing existed.

Before I go further with the design, I need real input. not polished feedback, just actual experience. Something that genuinely held you back, or a small frustration you never bothered saying out loud. Both matter.

What gets in the way when you try to learn? What's actually worked, even a little?

Drop it in the comments if you're comfortable. No formal diagnosis needed. if you identify with it, that's enough.

I have ADHD, though I was diagnosed later in life. As a result, I spent much of my schooling believing I was simply slow to learn. While others seemed to leave lectures with a clear understanding, I would attend, take notes, and attempt to focus, yet retain only a portion of the material. Often, the information would dissipate between the classroom and home. I recognize that I am not alone in this experience. Many individuals with ADHD report feeling lost, distracted, or as though their cognitive processes differ from those of their peers in academic settings. This is a common experience, even if it is not frequently discussed.

My primary strategy for overcoming these challenges was to use YouTube. Watching someone explain concepts visually and in segments proved effective, whereas reading the same material in textbooks did not. I did not question this difference; I simply accepted that I required additional steps that others did not seem to need.

This semester, I have a Design Thinking subject in my syllabus. The central objective is to identify a real world problem and develop a solution for it. Initially, I considered selecting a conventional topic. However, I decided to address the persistent challenge that has impacted my academic experience for years.

I presented the topic of ADHD and learning to my professor. While he was generally aware of ADHD, he had not previously considered the specific ways in which traditional classroom learning can be ineffective for students with this condition. After I explained the challenges, he became genuinely interested and expressed strong support for developing a solution. He is now backing the project through the college, which I did not anticipate.

The proposed solution is a platform where users specify a concept they wish to understand, and the system generates a two to three-minute animated video. This is not merely a summary, but a comprehensive explanation designed for individuals whose attention may fluctuate, who may lose focus if the pacing is unsuitable, and who comprehend information more effectively through visual means than through text. For instance, if a user wishes to learn about photosynthesis for a biology class, they would enter 'photosynthesis,' and the platform would produce a concise video that visually breaks down the process step by step. Animations would illustrate how sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide are converted into glucose and oxygen within a plant. Rather than simply listing facts, the video would employ colors, simple diagrams, and concise narration to reinforce each component of the process. The pacing would adapt when users pause or repeat sections, facilitating easier comprehension for those who may become distracted.

Essentially, I aim to create the resource I needed but was unable to find.

However, before proceeding with the design, I require authentic feedback. Every experience is valuable, whether it involves significant challenges or minor frustrations. Even seemingly minor or personal insights are important and may benefit others as well. What specific obstacles do you encounter when attempting to learn? What strategies have you discovered that are effective? What persistent issues do you wish someone would address?

I have developed a brief survey to collect experiences from individuals with ADHD. The survey consists of eight questions, takes approximately two minutes to complete, and is entirely anonymous. No account is required. Self-identified ADHD is acceptable; a formal diagnosis is not necessary. All responses are completely anonymous, cannot be traced to participants, and are stored securely. The data will be used solely to understand ADHD learning experiences and to inform the development of this project.

https://app.formbricks.com/s/cmo4alrhkdd43z701xpwjqium?source=reddit

My objective is straightforward: I seek to assist myself and others who have felt that traditional educational systems are not designed for them. If this project comes to fruition, your input will be integral to its development. I encourage you to complete the survey or share it with others.

Late diagnosed ADHD: lectures never stuck for me. what actually helps your brain learn and retain info?

I presented my experience with ADHD to my professor as a design challenge. He encouraged me to develop a solution, so I am now committed to building it.