She made it to Harvard. But no one saw her ADHD.
Marissa has over 15 years of experience in local journalism, previously serving as the political reporter for the Montgomery County Times. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Temple University and has a knack for uncovering the nuances of local governance and policy. Marissa is passionate about holding officials accountable and engaging the community in discussions about their government.
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💌 Love Philly? So do we. Let’s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today. Getting into Harvard was supposed to be proof that Oyewumi Oyeniyi had done everything right. Instead, she found herself unable to start assignments and struggling to focus — even in classes she enjoyed. “Everybody else is succeeding,” she remembers thinking. “What is wrong with me that I can t do this?” Nearly two years later Oyeniyi, now 20, learned the answer: ADHD. Researchers say Oyeniyi represents an often overlooked group when it comes to learning disability identification: high-achieving, female students of color. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, has seen how high achievement can complicate identification in her own family. (Submitted photo) Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, has seen how high achievement can complicate identification in her own family. Rodriguez’s daughter was assessed