OMG!! I have ADHD / Dyslexia and I am still not medicated....for the very reasons you stated! When I was in school, (I started first grade at 4 because I could read...Mom's a teacher) they did not yet know about these conditions! I used to get tied into my seat w/ a jump rope at school!!And YOU know that, Dyslexia combined w/ ADHD is like Dyslexia at WARP Speed !!
Now that they came out w/ the non-stimulent ADHD med., "Stratterra" I am willing to try medication.
Even w/out medication, I was able to graduate from Ohio State in 1983......but I failed to get the grades I needed for Veterinary School ! I just always thought EVERYone had to use a ton of energy to concentrate and study! Therefore, I compensated and pushed through. It took me nearly 6 years to get through what most do in 4 yrs!....and I had to take a year off in the middle! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! It makes me SO angry to think: "Coulda, should, woulda"! GGGRRRRRRR!!!! As usual, I was not in sync w/ the rest of the world! There was NO diagnosis OR treatment in 1959!
I could have BEEN somebody!