Nicolas Evans had a challenging year when he turned 15. He was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and had become quite overweight. School was overwhelming.<\/p>\n
To help others struggling with ADHD and learning challenges, Nicolas shared his story publicly. His story is featured in a report about ADHD in Canada by France 24, a French international news channel that broadcasts in four languages in France and internationally.<\/p>\n
The year he was 15 was a turning point for Nicolas. He decided to start doing more physical activity after having stopped playing rugby due to injuries. Medication helped with his ADHD as did the after-school program at Loyola High School. \u201cMy parents offered me the chance to change high schools to make it a little easier on me academically,\u201d he recalled. \u201cBut I was determined to pursue my goal and not give up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLook at me now, Dad,\u201d was an encouraging phrase his father would use to motivate him. \u201cHe would tell me that one day, I would overcome the challenges and be able to tell him: \u2018look at me now, Dad.\u2019 He would tell me: \u2018you\u2019re going to get past this and you\u2019re going to get into an industry you love. Focus on what you love.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n
The second-year student in Social Science at Dawson College began doing more serious and regular training in Secondary V. \u201cA balanced life is very important, we have to take care of the mental, the physical and the spiritual life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Nicolas does resistance and cardiovascular training, and works on his endurance. He can be found in the gym five to six times per week and credits exercise with helping him overcome the challenges related to ADHD. His exercise regime is his only medicine since he is no longer taking any medication for ADHD.<\/p>\n
Having ADHD doesn\u2019t mean something is wrong with you, it means something is different, Nicolas says.<\/p>\n
\u201cADHD is biological, it is not because of bad parenting,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce you know you have it, you can make a plan and do something to overcome it.\u201d Nicolas explained that parts of the brain are more dormant in a person with ADHD.<\/p>\n
Nicolas is one of the over 800 students assisted by the Student AccessAbility Centre (SAAC) at Dawson College. When Nicolas arrived at the College, he had an intake consultation with the centre to determine what would work best to help him succeed. A quiet space is offered to Nicolas for tests and exams as a special accommodation arranged by the SAAC. On exam days, Nicolas goes to a space provided by the centre instead of his classroom.<\/p>\n
Susie Wileman, a psychologist at Dawson, says that the AccessAbility staff see themselves as \u201cservice providers.\u201d \u201cWe help students like Nicolas access support and services,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are here to find ways to lower\/reduce the barriers they face.\u201d<\/p>\n
Physical exercise and sports have long been promoted by the Student AccessAbility Centre. \u201cWe have a terrific Phys. Ed. department at Dawson and they are so creative in finding ways for all our students with challenges, even those with severe mobility restrictions, to participate in Phys. Ed.,\u201d Susie said.<\/p>\n
There is a growing body of research, including studies out of the Montreal Children\u2019s Hospital, which shows the positive impact of exercise on mental health issues and learning problems, Susie said.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, it is often the students with challenges who perform better than the average student, according to Dawson Psychology teacher Catherine Fichten and the Adaptech Research Network. \u201cOften, the most motivated students are those who struggle,\u201d Susie said.<\/p>\n
Nicolas was not surprised to hear that. \u201cSome kids have always been good at school and they get too comfortable. Kids who haven\u2019t done well have to continue improving and advancing. I will not allow myself to fall back,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Nicolas has one last semester at Dawson in the fall of 2019. \u201cMy counsellor at high school told me that c\u00e9gep goes by in a flash and it dictates a lot of your future. I decided to put school first,\u201d he said, adding that he plans to continue his studies and work toward his dream job at a hedge fund.<\/p>\n
The support Nicolas has had at Dawson was made possible by an assessment that his parents had done when he was in high school.<\/p>\n
According to Ministry of Higher Education regulations, a student has to have a documented disability or health issue in order to receive accommodations and services from the Student AccessAbility Centre. The Assessment for ADHD and other learning challenges, such as dyslexia, can be costly and hard to access. The Dawson College Foundation is opening the Educational Assessment Fund to collect donations so that more students can succeed like Nicolas.<\/p>\n\n\t\t