Student finds the right environment for success through adult school program
Autumn Diaz struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for most of her life.
When Diaz was in grade school in the early ‘90s, she repeatedly got in trouble for distracting other students and leaving her desk in the middle of class. Teachers were not sure how to keep her engaged. By the time Diaz entered high school, she began to fall behind.
“I think the only motivation I had at the time was to stay on the soccer team,” Diaz says. “I played soccer since I was 4 years old until I turned 17. By my junior year though, I was burned out. Everyone was concerned with me getting left behind, but didn’t know what they could do for me.”
Diaz started an independent study program her senior year. The program allowed her to make up credits and work at her own pace, which kept Diaz on track to graduate on time in 2006.
“I have a job that I love now because of [Torrance Adult School].”
Autumn Diaz, Torrance Adult School graduate
After she finished high school, Diaz struggled to find her place in the world. Because she had such a negative experience in school, she ruled out college. She worked various low-wage jobs for several years. But when she turned 25, she began to realize her options were running out.
“I couldn’t just work food industry jobs for the rest of my life,” Diaz says. “Those jobs are for young kids who are just starting out. I felt like no one was going to hire me because I was getting too old.”
Then Diaz heard about the medical assisting program at Torrance Adult School through a family friend, who had graduated from the school and gone on to a successful career.
Diaz felt like she would be a good fit. She had always taken care of family members and friends when they were sick. But her ADHD was still a concern. She feared she would fall behind again learning in a classroom environment.
Once she started the program, those fears were completely put to rest. Diaz says her instructor worked with her to make sure she stayed focused. Diaz says the smaller, intimate classroom setting also helped keep her attention.
“I think she saw the obvious signs of ADHD and knew how to keep me focused before I became distracting to other students,” Diaz says. “She would let me go into the lab early or give me special tasks to keep me interested.”
Today, Diaz works at an urgent care facility in Redondo Beach, performing patient intake. She says Torrance Adult School changed her life and gave her the opportunity to live up to her potential.
“I think people are missing out if they don’t go,” Diaz says. “I have a job that I love now because of [Torrance Adult School]. I’ve never been this happy working somewhere before.”
For more information, visit sbaec.wordpress.com.
Written by Mike Blount
| Regions | Classes |
|---|---|
| South Coast California | Careers in Health Care |
