Diagnosed in the 80's
The only ADD (attention deficit disorder) drug at the time was Ritalin. It was also very new to the market. If Ritalin didn't work for you, you had no other options.
Having a learning disability is difficult on its own, add in the culture of the 80's and you have a recipe for a consistent lack of aid.
Special education classes were available for the kids with ADD; but, it was not how it is today. Not to mention the neglectful parenting of the 80's.