from ADD to PhD: A Journey Silence, Struggle, and Stigma Resilience Understanding

What happens to a child whose mind refuses to fit the mold? Born in Cabo Verde during a time when differences were punished instead of understood, Lourenco F. Tavares grew up restless, curious, and mislabeled. Teachers called him lazy. The system called him broken. Yet through a mother's unwavering belief and a lifelong pursuit of meaning, he turned silence into understanding" and stigma into strength. From ADD to PhD is the true story of a boy once shamed for his mind who rose to become a psychologist, counselor, and educator. Blending memoir, psychology, and cultural insight, Dr. Tavares explores how colonial legacies, immigrant struggles, and family resilience shape identity. His story is not only personal" it is a mirror for countless families still fighting to be heard. A moving journey from misdiagnosis to self-discovery, From ADD to PhD reminds us that difference is not disorder" and that healing begins with understanding