My daughter graduated high school in 2000 and has spent the last year at home with me depressed and anxious and afraid to do much. She has not held a job . She is artistic and musical. But she has right sided hemiparesis and cannot use her right arm at all. She is smart, perceptive, has some social deficits and needs a program with other young adults where she can be successful. I am at my wits end. Anybody know prpgrams close to Boston and its environs that might be good for her? She would like to go to college but I don’t think she is ready for the academics and would need a lot of help especially with math. She never took the SAT’s. High school was a big struggle. SHe hated it and spent half the year home sick toi her stomach. As a matter of fact her stomach problems have continued until today although so far there is no organic reason for them..
If anyone can help me I would be so grateful. Thank you for listening.
Elaine
Re: my high school graduate with hemi paresis and add
Dear Elaine ,
It sounds to me like your daughter is somatizing as far as her stumache(sp?) ailments are concerned. Also it can be a symptom of her depression. Perhaps she needs counseling. If there is a mental health clinic near you, you should take her there to get some counseling. Mental health clinics run on a sliding fee scale. So they will be able to work out a payment plan for you. She also sounds like she has the learning disability dyscalculia which is what I have. Fortuntely, there are colleges that have remedial classes in math and English . She could take a remedial class in math and be included in regular college curriculum the rest of the time.And there is no rule that says she must take a full load of courses or take math right away. Most colleges have disability services for enrolling students with special needs. She wsould need to get in contact with the disabilities services of the school she planns to attend when she first enrolls in college. Make sure you have up to date documentation of her learning disability and any other disabilities she may have or else she may have to be retested in order to recieve their services. There are alternatives to actually getting your education within college walls. Now at days there are correspondent college courses one can take through the mail, college classes broad casted on television and courses that can be taken over the computer. She need not step inside a class room if she doesnt want to, to begin her college education. And since her learning disability is in math and not reading she shouldnt over look the value of the knowledge that is found in books. I have only had a year of community college , the majority of knowledge I have obtained has come from reading books , literature and picking up on information here and there. If she lacks direction or encouragment there is a wonderful book on career assessment called Zen and the art of making a living by Laurence G. Boldt. Although this was written for anyone who was thinking about entering the world of work etc it is very applicable to people with disabilities. It is a great book. another great book for her would be The turtle tattoo by Margaret Olivia Wulfson. This book uses ancient stories to demonstrate how to go about acheiving a goal. Unfortunately it is out of print but you might be able to find one at a second hand or used book store.
As for places near Boston that might be able to help her. This is the first time I have heard of this kind of paralisis coupled with a learning disability. Would you be interested in a list of schools that have special services for people with learning disabilities or a independant living center for young people with learning disabilities? Also you should remind her that there are people with worse physical conditions than hers who have gone to make outstanding contributions such as Steven Hawkins. He cant move is entire body and has to use a computer to speak but his contribution to science is remarkable. If he can make a outstounding contribution so can she.
There is a catalog where you can order a lot of free and low cost information on learning disabilities and college and work for your daughter called” The consumer information catalog” They even havea websight where you can order this information it is www.pueblo.gsa.gov. Go visit this websight and youll be able to find all kinds of free and low cost information on all kinds of topics. Also The LDA has a literary depository of literature on everything just about pretaining to and of interest to people with learning disabilities you should check into. There is a chapter of the LDA just about in every state. You should find out the address and phone number of the LDA chapter in your state. I have a limited ammount of information that I am always willing to share . If you would like me to send you some of what I have please email me at [email protected] and my name is Tascha. I will be happy to help you and your daughter in any way that I can. So you may email me with your street address if you are interested in recieving some of the information I have if it helps.
Sincerely,
Tascha Dresser
Lesley University in Cambridge has a wonderful program called “Threshold Program” for young adult students with significant learning disabilities. It is a non-traditional college program which emphasizes development of social and vocational skills as well as independent living skills. SATs are not required. The students in the program would typically not be able to handle a traditional college program. They have more info at their web site: www.lesley.edu. There are other similar programs in the US like this one but you asked for Boston.