Lost n Confused

Thank you AA for replying back to my message! Yes, I did not like the person who did my assessment, especially after reviewing my evaluation, he wrote some incorrect information. I have called him back to ask for more information and resources in dealing with my learning disability, but unfortunately, he did not call me back yet. I do not want to get tested again because it cost too much money, and the amount of money I had given him wasn’t worth it. He did suggest a few remediation, but they are suggestions that I already know and have done. Therefore, he wasn’t helpful at all, and I am very upset with him, but I don’t know what else I can do about that. Besides telling the Disabled Students Services that I wouldn’t recommend anyone to be diagnosed by him.

Yeah it is hard to work on all three weaknesses, but I came to the conclusion that I would like to work on my reading skills. Once I get that down, my reading will help my writing and speaking skills. Do you think professors have the time to help their students with their difficulties? I guess my next step is to call my former teachers and see if they or someone they know is willing to teach me how to read and comprehend the written materials better.

Since I”m 20 now, trust me, I have found ways to compensate for my weaknesses, even without the knowledge I had a learning disability. However, I was aware I had difficulties in those three areas: reading, writing, and speaking. Consequently, I knew there was something wrong, although, my teachers always told me to try harder; but this year, I found out I have a learning disability. What does that tell you about our schools? Now I am interested in researching more about ways to prevent my situation from happening because the earlier the intervention, the better. This way, I’m not only helping myself, but helping others. And I hope that those of you out there, who do have a learning disability don’t give up, no matter how difficult it can get. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and this is an obstacle that we have to face. Also for those of you who know someone with a learning disability, please do not give up on them, be patient and help them through it because if your a true friend, you will be there, no matter. And they will do the same for you, just have faith in yourself and have faith in them. Smile and think positive =)

Angel,

Everybody is lost and confused. The thing is most people don’t realize it. The people who are most lost and confused are the one who make money pretending to help LD ADD ect… Testing is less than accurate at best and more often than not a disservice to the client/victim.

The jokers that “read” your test will tell you what you can and can’t do. They will base there bull osn their own misinterpretation of the test’s own faulty data. The only person that has any idea at all what you are capable of is you. Trust yourself. Don’t trust the tests or the yo yos that rely on them. They may get you in the ball park as to where your deficets are but you probably already knew that, so in affect the test is not a test but just a way of inacurately verifying what you already knew.

Study hard and often. USe tools and strategy. Avoid math. Cheat in the subjects that have nothing to do with your major. Give it your best shot. good luck.

ever jaded,

Ball

I really like this bulletin board because I can definitely express my feelings openly. I used to have difficulties summarizing articles and finding the main ideas, but after taking a research class and classes that involved reading lots of articles and summarizing what I read. I’m getting pretty much good at that, with a limited amount of me to read, I learned to skim and go straight to the main points. I would read the abstract, the introduction, the conclusion, subtitles, and the first and last sentences in each paragraph.

I will check that website for resources, and see which information is useful for me. I’m so tired of reading, and I don’t want to avoid math because I enjoyed my math classes except for the hard ones. I want actually thinking about taking a math class for fun because I need a balance, I’ve been taking too many classes that involved reading and writing papers. I’m so sick of seeing letters, and I need to see more numbers. I have no clue if I can take a math class for fun because I completed a calculus class, and I do not want to take the next level. I enjoy algrebra, so if any of you, who have difficulities in math, just know that I’m a resource and I can help you any way possible. Although I haven’t taken math in about year (just to let you know). I don’t think people should avoid any subjects because we all need a balance, even though one area is your weakness, I would suggest to work on it because you never know if you may need that skill in the long run. There are individuals out there to help you, but you just need to step forward and ask for help. And I know how difficult it is to ask for help, especially when you want to independent and prove to people you can do it. I don’t think anyone can survive without a help of a friend, and if you think you can prove me wrong on that, then I would like to hear your opinion.

“Angel”

Hi Angel,

I was diagnosed with LD as a child which probably makes it easier for me since I have had 30 years to locate my deficits and strengths. Unfortuanately trying to deal with your LD is something that is done very independantly in my experience. The problem with having an LD is as I told someone else before is “like trying to find an enemy in a room of friendly faces”. What I mean is you have been perceiving your world, analysing information and applying it for the last 20 years? (none of my business) and the way you think is normal to you, therefore it is difficult to locate the areas of difficulty. With an LD it’s not like you can reach inside someone else’s head and compare the way they perceive, analyse and use information to locate your difficulties.

My advice would be to really analyse your areas of strength and weakness to determine why they are what they are (I.e. are you a visual learner vs auditory, do you have any organizational deficits, do sounds, things you see, seem to flood into your head,etc). It sounds like you are already doing that. I don’t mean to disagree with you so strongly but I’ve seen people time and time again be reactive to people’s difficulties and make assumptions on what they see vs why the person has difficulties. It happened to me and now that I work in the field of disabilities I’ve seen it many times. Don’t get me wrong there are good people out there that can help but in the end you are the only one that can really make sense of your world.

I don’t think having an LD means life is an endless struggle. I graduated from College, have University certifications and work in a Neurobehavioral program ina hospital and in a childrens treatment center. I’m married with 2 great kids (son inherited LD from me). My LD only in the end served to make me stronger and learn to respect and value others.

For software there is a good website www.micosceince.on.ca where there is good assistive software. The inspirations software may help alot with your writing if you are have difficulty organizing your thoughts. Another area to look into is something called Sensory Integration Dysfunction which I think is one of the core problems that contributed to my LD. It also explains that when I began to exercise in Highschool it helped so much. If I haven’t exercised in a few days I begin to have more difficulty. It is alot to explain the rational behind it but it may be worth looking into.

Good luck with school,

Brad

I’m always lost and confused!! LOL
When I was in my thirties, I was diagnosed with learning disabilities in math,
auditory/reading comprehension and am ADHD. Everyone I know says that I should try to go to college, which I have never done. (I am in my fourties but did manage to graduate from HS, somehow.) Two issues are here for me:
One- I was barely able to do division in HS. I know that there are college entrance placement tests one needs to take, but if I don’t know how to do
basic math, how can I pass a test which has advanced math? I mean, I don’t even know what algebra is!!!
Two- I am not interested in college. I have never been for a number of reasons.
Firstly, I am afraid of failing and the humiliation. If I have one negative experience with math, I’ll loose it. Another reason is this: I’m really not interested in a whole lot. I’ve looked through area college brochures that come in the mail, but all the subjects seem extremely boring. For all you LD folks out there, has this happened to you? Not being interested in college because of your LD? I know alot has to do with the lack of guidance from my schooling years and mainly parents. (They ignored me and let me struggle on my own.)
I’m just looking for some feed-back from people who might give me some
insight.!

Kellie

Kellie,
not all folks want to go to college or are able to. my brother went into the service after high school, he’s a smart guy but never was interested in school. if it weren’t for high school band he probably would have dropped out of high school. he was an auto mechanic for the marines, later transferred to air force where he learned to work on biomedical equipment. he now works for philips electronics maintaining, repairing and installing hospital equipment. he does very well in his job, it has great benefits. he tried jr. college for one semester between the marine corps and air force. sometimes college isn’t for everyone.
just trying to say that if it isn’t what you want then it’s ok not to go.

on the other hand, if the only reason you don’t want to go is because of math, you could probly get some assistance on that if you have a documented disability with math, go to the student disability services office and talk to them.
I would definitely look into a small college that has small classes, I went to jr college and sr college in Pensacola, Florida all my classes were small, it made things easier for me, I don’t think I would have made it in a big school. I’m too shy and non confrontational, I wouldn’t have been able to get help if I needed it.
Also, once you get past the general requirements of the first two years, things do get more interesting, I basically took classes in history and political science in my last two years. I had a hard time in science and math related classes that I had to take in jr college though.

In case this might be relevant, I was given the wisc for adults by a psychologist, my verbal score was 121, my performance was an 80. So yeah, I have a reason for doing so poorly in those kind of classes but… I do have a bachelor’s degree. I got it way before I found out I had ADD or a 41 point split between my verbal and performance iq score. it can be done, and if you decide to try, you also can do it.

Hi Brad:

So that’s why I have such trouble figuring out what my exact deficits are :))) I’ve been driving myself and others crazy trying to analyze every little thing that goes wrong. I love the analogy you have mentioned a couple times about finding the enemy in a room of friendly faces (hope I got that right!) Was it you that suggested to analyze the things you do on a daily basis? Yes, I definitely must try to take a closer look at these things because even though I was recently retested for LD, it didn’t give me the “whole picture” I’ve been looking for. Part of it is to determine if working with the disabled is appropriate for me given my limitations and difficulties. Also, it’s a way to answer questions and explain why I do the kooky things I do!

I must say you are an inspiration. You overcame the difficulties of LD and are now in what sounds like a rather difficult job! I’m sure you love it, but I give you a lot of credit :) I hope I can walk a similar path one day. I just got to stop being so scared!

Good luck!!

Christine

I volunteered with people with disabilities before going to Colllege and looking at it as a career. It helped me to determine if this was or wasn’t the field for me. If you are questioning whether to work in the field of disabilities only on the reasoning of being LD, I wouldn’t let that be a consideration. For me having LD and working in my field has given me an insight in to what it is like to be labeled, treated differently, learn differently and having learn to compensate for my deficits and recognise my strengths.

Kellie,
I am dyslexic and ADHD. I am 45 years old. Six months ago I had myself tested because I finally decided to take college courses and I knew I would need extra time for test. I did not have any idea I was ADHD. I probably talked My son?s school tested him for dyslexia about three years ago when he was in second grade. We also had him tested at Scottish Rite, a children?s hospital for all sorts of disabilities. While filling out the forms, I verbally answered yes to almost all the questions I was marking for my son. That?s when I decided to get myself tested so I could have longer time for taking test in college. This was when I learned of the real meaning of dyslexia, ADD and ADHD. TOO many do not know about this problem. That?s the reason our school system is in such a sad state.
I was very bad in math in school. I can?t spell and I am a perfectionist. I have short-term memory and word recall problems. At first, I too didn?t want to go to college, then during my late 30?s I started thinking about it.
I started thinking about a college degree, but I was always too scared to get one. At night I use to have dreams of going back to school.

Finally I made a decision and told myself I?m doing it. But first I had to pass the college entry exam. The TASP! I gave “scared” a new meaning. It took me all of the 5 hours to take the Reading and Writing part of it. I ran out of time for the math, which didn?t matter anyway because I didn?t remember taking algebra in high school. Talk about depressed and upset?but I pulled myself together.

So I had to take an intro course which didn?t count for a credit. And guess what there were other people in there like me. It wasn?t too bad.

I took an English course. It takes me 9 hrs compared to other peoples 3 hours to write an essay, but I made an A. And I made a B in Algebra. My problem with math is I forget how to divide. And I forget my math facts. And the STUPID rule in this two year college is in the intro classes? NO CALCULATORS. That hurt me.

Another problem I have is when I copy the problems down off of the paper or out of the book to work them, after ten or so, I will write them down wrong. I can usually work them right, but they are written down wrong and so the answer is wrong. Sometimes I will forget how to work them, then later remember how. I still can?t do percentages or word problems. Most of the word problems can be turned into Algebra form to work, but I can?t comprehend how to do that. If the algebra problem is already written out, most of the time I can do them. My husband does not understand what the problem is.
Anyway, I start classes again in the fall and I know I’ll have to talk myself into taking those steps to sign up agian. I guess I’ll have to go through this every semester.

Shannon

If math is not relevant to your course of study, CHEAT!! Just don’t get caught. Most schools offer a tutoring service. They also have a students with disabitities office but chances are they will be of little help. You’ll need an IEP. Just another way we LDs get the shaft.

Going to college and having LD is a big pain in the a**, there has been so many times where I have just wanted to quit! But trust me it is not worth it. You can make it through college. Some of the things I have found helpful is the following, mind you I go to a private small college (which could help you). Try to get to know your teachers, some the very beginning tell them that you have problems with their subject. Most of the time they will help as much as they can. Try to take light loads, only 4 or 5 classes and always take at least on class you like or will do good in. I know it is hard but DON’T go for the grade, go for what you learn. Trust me this is a hard one to do. Right now I am on academic probation again because my grades are to low but I have learned alot. And another thing, TRY not to compare yourself with others who don’t face what you have. Sure most people can just study a little and pass but always remember you have to put out 110%, you can do it! Learn what works for you. Schedule your time, it helps. And just learn about yourself and how you learn best. Trial and error is what I have had to do but just keep your head up and know that there is an end.
Right now I am wanting to graduate and then do grad school, most people who know me think I am crazy because they know how hard school is for me. But I want to do it. Not for anyone else just for me! I will graduate if it takes me 10 years. I am on year 3 right now :)
Good luck, God Bless,
Wendy (stuggling college student)

I would love to get Brad’s advice on this. Unlike him I never knew I had a learning disability until I was 42. I have been able to graduate from both high school and college. I officially graduated at age 21 with an accounting degree and some of the worst grades imaginable. I have not had a problem with reading, writing, math, and spelling. My vocabulary was always excellent, although my comprehension was not quite at the same level. I went back to school at 35 and within a year and a half took 8 accounting courses in which I earned excellent grades. Not all A’s, but with the exception of one course in which I got a B they were all B+ or better, and within the next 2 years I had passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam.

At the time I had no knowledge of the fact that I had either an LD or
ADHD. I happen to have both. I first discovered about the ADHD at age 40, and then within two years of being on medication, I realized that something besides this was wrong, I had a verbal understanding of accounting, but not the same understanding visually. Things that I understood and could discuss I found much harder to perform well and sometimes I drew a complete blank when I looked at the numbers with out the words. I was tested and found to have a 36 point gap between my verbal and performance intelligence scores. The testing also revealed a problem with both visual processing and visual perception, and visual motor integration. Further testing by an occupational therapist who I have been working with for about 19 months now revealed the visual processing issues as well as a significant developmental delay in my gross and fine motor skills. I am also seeing a vision therapist to work on the processing and perception issues. Both are helping and I have definitely made progress. But I know there is a significant difference between my verbal and visual processing abilities still. I can probably do accounts payable or receivable but not CPA or staff accountant work which hurts my earning capacity tremendously.

Ultimately I will probably go into a different field where my abilities will enhance my career instead of my weaknesses pulling me down. I have signed up to do project literacy this fall and will be taught how to tutor people. I’ve learned a great deal about learning disabilities because of my own personal interest and experience, I’ve also developed an interest in occupational therapy. My educational background is at the other end completely. So right now I am as confused as Angela.

Angela, I definitely encourage you to go through school and get whatever supports you can to help you. The fact that you know your issues makes things much clearer and easier, and you can put yourself in a path that shows off your strengths. While it may be a challenge and difficult for you because of your disabilities I know “You Can Do It”.

Thanks, I will give whatever insight my poor old brain will dish out. You made reference to your strength being visual vs auditory and having issues around fine/gross motor skills. Have you ever investigated Sensory Integration Dysfunction (your OT will definitly be framiliar with it), I think I probably have it to a varying degree, as I think most people with LD and definitly PDD have. The premise is that there are snesory systems affected by this dysfuction (Prioproceptive - sense of where your body is in space (an example being knowing without looking down to know where to out your foot on a stair), Tactile - sense of touch and Vestibular - balance and coordination).

The reason why I think I ahve it is, I improved greatly in highschool when I began to exercise. Things became much clearer and even now when I don’t exercise for 3 -4 days I begin to feel “off” again. My memory gets worse, I get much more easily distracted and at worst times I have to plan my movements at times even walking.

You mentioned your auditiory sense being your strength. Have you tried using this sense to compensate for your visual? I would suggest maybe talking your self through your work to compensate for any visual deficits. What are specifically your visual deficits, how do they affect you in the performance of a task? Do things become disorganised, not make sense, memory issues, etc? When these have been identified then you will be aware of your deficits and thats really the battle, then you can begin to identify specific compensatory strategies. I tell everyone this because I believe it. Identify your strengths and weaknesses in everything you do throughout the day. How does your LD affect your ability to perform every task that you do or in what areas does it have limited or no effect and why? The way you think is normal to you and the best way you will locate your deficits will be through analysing everything you do and what is ahppening in your head while your doing it.

There may be good software out there to help you as well. I don’t know if the Kurswell 3000 software would work with accounting, the company may be able to help you with that question.

Last but not least. Any career you choose should be because it makes you feel happy and fullfilled. If choosing OT makes you happy then great but if accounting makes you happy then maybe that is your career. Whichever you choose I wish you all the best and if you want anymore info or me to clarify anything please let me know.

Brad,

Thanks for the quick reply to my questions. In answer to your comments or questions, yes I definitely have Sensory Integration Dysfunction. I’ve known this since I had my OT evaluation. I’m actually recording a video (for someone who is involved with Sensory Integration Network and who spends her time doing research on it,. and who travels around lecturing too OT’s and PT’s) on what it is like having Sensory Integration Dysfunction as an adult. If you want the details of how I hooked up with her, email me I am on AOL. I won’t bore everyone else with it. I actually attended a seminar that she gave as her guest and have a pretty good understanding of it fora layperson due to my therapy and the time I’ve invested into reading and understanding as much as possible about it.

The areas which affect me are pricoproceptive, and vestibular. I am also extremely visually defensive. Both have improved alot since I’ve begun therapy, and for me being on medication has helped tremendously as well. I have found that being on medication has enabled me to do things much easier where it involves these areas. It almost feels like it has improved my equilibrium, which is probably not correct, I’ll have to ask my OT, but I know that I won’t zone out when faced with a challenge in this area. I definitely look down when I am walking downstairs, and though I always took escalators even before medication it definitely takes me less time to get on a down escalator since I’ve started OT, friends have commented on it. I pretty much can get right on or only wait a second or two, where as before someone either had to pull me on if they wanted me to be even with them, or I would be about four steps behind them. I still avoid the wooden escalators cause they are harder to see, but they are rare, other than Macy’s on 34th street, I don’t think I’ve seen them anywhere else.

As for using auditory to compensate for visual processing, I always do and have. Friends tell me I verbalize everything. But I also know when someone tells me how I am supposed to see things, I am then able to use my eyes to do the job. I would never have gotten through my accounting courses the second time without compensating, the first time around you need to be able to do both simultaneously. I often wonder, if I had been on medication at a much earlier point in life even if the Sensory Integration Dysfunction had not been diagnosed if I would have developed a stronger ability to visually process because I would have had a much better ability to comprehend. But as we all pretty much know, most of this stuff is hereditiary, and if your behavior is familiar and normal to your family because it’s what they do themselves they aren’t going to notice that something is wrong with you. I also know that because my parents were not as educated they were able to survive at the level they chose to stay at.

As for what I love or will do with my career. I am the type who can be happy doing more than one thing. I enjoy challenges, so I could be happy with either career or probably others in addition. Medication in some ways is similar to “Flow” (great book if you never read it). but like most people I need to do something that I can support myself in, be proud of, can grow, and have the ability to do well and the fact that as an accountant I stood out from others, and not in a positive way, I forced myself to find out what was wrong and I don’t mean it in a terrible way or what was not working for me. I realized there had to be some reason that I missed what others saw, or saw them so differently.
I also need to figure out whether to disclose the fact that I have an LD now. I realize that I probably need people to show me things more than once to pick up the visual portion, and with vision therapy as well as continuing OT it will improve further. I am determined to make it happen. I know that listening to classical music with headphones has also been helpful. My OT made me buy special headphones and there is definitely a difference.

The hardest part of having a hidden disability especially nonverbal is the fact that it is so misunderstood by others. Vocational Rehab people treat you like you are so limited.

In closing I’ll say one thing. Today the kids are luckier because there is a much greater understanding of learning disabilities, and also because we are aware of the fact that we need to encourage what we see as strengths. I wish I had developed much greater self awareness at a younger age. The people you work with and your son are lucky to have you in their life.