LEARNING DIFFERENCES AND DISABILITIES


CAN’T DO MATH?  CAN’T READ WELL?  SPELL LIKE A DEMON OUT LOUD, NOT WHEN YOU WRITE THE WORD DOWN?  LOVE READING, HATE LECTURES? LOVE LECTURES, HATE READING?  GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE, NOT BOOKS?  GET ALONG WITH BOOKS, NOT PEOPLE?  LEARN AT A SLOWER RATE THAN MOST PEOPLE?   These traits relate to learning differences.  When  a difference interferes with school or work it is a disability.  The three recognized  categories of learning disability include:

  1. Developmental delays–what used to be known as retardation
  2. Academic disorders–differences that interfere with school when the person has normal intelligence
  3. Other–the catch-all  for those not listed above  Including  Non-verbal learning disabilities. ADD while not officially recognized as a learning disability often is part of a profile when a person has a learning disability. IMHO ADD and ADHD interfere with learning;   I think of it as a learning disability, memory problems are also often part of the mix.  I have difficulty remembering  number facts, grammar rules, and the spelling of many words.  This either adds to or creates my learning problem and has sapped energy and kept me back.  Stubborness  or as the image notes pursavirnce has helped me move ahead.
Developmental delays range from children born without a brain, who stay infants all their lives to those who with help can live independent lives and are indistinguishable from mainstream populations.  The earlier a development delay is recognized and remediation put into play the better.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities identifies the following major types of academic disorders and the areas  they affect:

  1. Central auditory processing disorders—difficulty processing and remembering language-related tasks
  2. Dyslexia—a language and reading disability
  3. Dyscalculia—problems with arithmetic and math concepts
  4. Dysgraphia—problems with written expression
  5. Visual processing problem

STRATEGIES

  1. Know how you learn.  For a brief introduction go the Wikipedia   Learning types article.
  2. Know you strengths and weaknesses.  Wikipedia’s article on  Theory of Multi-Intellience is a good place to start.
  3. Seek professional testing if you are suspect you may have a learning disability.  Seek a tester not connected to a school as they are often biased.
  4. Become an educated consumer.
  5. Get support.  If you are going into a school conference always take an advocate with you.  Many mental health agencies now provide consumer or parent advocates. We had to take a lawyer with us, but that is always a last resort.
  6. Remember what matters.  Success is too often defined in material terms or based on titles.  Across the ages it has been long recognized that what really matters is being kind and care.
  7. Stay strong.  Use a Daily Emotional Fitness Program.
  8. Keep at it.  Most studies show that three things lead to what is commonly seen as a successful life.  As noted above the proper definition of success, staying the course, and getting along with others.

For more  information about Emotional Fitness  go to  The EFTI Webpage.  Want a coach? Don’t think you can afford one?  You can.  See EFTI’s   Products and Services Page.  Our electronic coaching products start at $0.99.  Money  back if not satisfied with our products.