Visual Journey of an Adult with ADHD/Dyslexia: A Heuristic Self-Search Inquiry

This dissertation, using a heuristic self-search inquiry (HSSI), provides a research vehicle for creative personal exploration seeking insight into the process of self-transformation with the intention of ultimately targeting the catalyst for life transformation. The study seeks to answer the research question: How does the use of drawings in an art journal and a variety of artistic expressions used for self-healing, symptoms management, insight, and self-transformation, impact the lived experience of the researcher-as-participant with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and dyslexia as she maneuvered through the Ph.D. program? Supporting HSSI, drawings were incorporated from art journals and additional art produced during the time spent completing a Ph.D. program. The art draws upon Person-Centered Expressive Arts Therapy (PCEAT) principals through the authentic expression of my internal thoughts and feelings. The PCEAT program fosters expression through creativity while providing a safe, non-judgmental environment in which participants can achieve fulfillment of one's potential. The drawings and related journals serve as the primary data, and were interpreted by the artist, consistent with PCEAT principles. Emerging from my drawing and additional art implementing the HSSI stages (Initial Engagement, Immersion, Incubation, illumination, Explication, and Creative Synthesis) were six themes; Failure, Fear, ADHD/dyslexia, Death, My Birth, I am a Super Hero. The tradition of heuristic research (Moustakas, 1990, Sela-Smith, 2001, 2002) is suited for this creative inquiry guided by drawings in an art journal completed in real time and additional art modalities reinforcing the lived experience. Although the themes defined are limited the researcher/participant with unique personal interpretation, this journey may encourage other Learning Disabled (LD) adults to embrace their own personal creative adaption and self-knowledge to support their success in obtaining their educational goals. Also, I hope this HSSI presentation of myself as the researcher/participant contributes to a greater empathic understanding and possible reduction of biases within the university system concerning students with learning disabilities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]