Born Special and Living with a Disability

A young mother sits at a table, surrounded by school officials, answering questions about her six-year-old son. She has known for a while that there was something different about him, but every time she asked questions she was told, "oh he is fine, it is not uncommon for boys to be just a little delayed." However, this child was not just a little delayed. He had never been like other kids. For instance, he did not roll over, sit up, or walk when he should have. By age four, he had missed two years of preschool because he was still in diapers because he would not use a toilet, and continuously refused to say what he needed or wanted. For that matter, he seldom acted in an appropriate manner at all. He threw fits about relatively small things, and/or sat emotionless over the things that should have upset or excited him. Oh, and his lack of interest in peers, games, and academics... yes, this troubled her too. So many thoughts rushed over her, and then one of the women began to speak. She told the mother that her precious child suffered from a learning disability, but that he qualified for special services.

WHAT! WHY? Had she not tried hard enough? Was it her fault that she was sitting at this table today? It had to be her fault! She began to cry. But, the board members quickly consoled her, and explained that her son would still be able to reach his goals, but that he would just require extra help, and that they could assist by providing special programs and services. She did not have to deal with this alone. This was the day that this young mother found out that her child was...

Born Special & Living With A Learning Disability

What are learning disabilities?

When the words "Learning and Disability" are put together, they become a broad term used to describe certain types of problems that are associated with learning (MedicineNet, 2009). These problems can affect an individual's ability to read, write, listen, speak, reason, do math, or comprehend certain situations (MedicineNet, 2009). Unfortunately, it is impossible to diagnose each and every situation in the same manner, because there are too many different combinations of hardship. For instance, one individual may have difficulty completing regular mathematical equations, where as another may be able to complete these problems, but may find him or herself stuck when it comes to word problems, because he or she is incapable of reading, and that doesn't even include the students who fail to comprehend instruction in general (MedicineNet, 2009).

It is complications like this that caused our government to produce a federal law that set certain guidelines for educating such special needs children. They called these guidelines "The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" or IDEA, and IDEA's first job was to define a specific learning disability, which it does as " . . . a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia" (MedicineNet, 2009).What are the signs of a learning disability?

Individuals with learning disabilities do not wear banners or signs that scream, "HEY YOU, I NEED HELP"! Actually, they tend to have difficulty asking for assistance (medicineNet, 2009), let alone a willingness to be tagged dependant or labeled inadequate. This means that experts and parents must look for visible differences such as how well a child does compared to how well he or she could do if he or she were like his or her peers (MedicineNet, 2009) For instance, if a child presents any of the following, he or she might suffer from a learning disability:

Has Difficulty with the alphabet, rhyming, or linking letters to their sounds (MedicineNet, 2009).

Has trouble reading (repeats, pauses a lot, or does not understand what's read) (MedicineNet, 2009)

Has trouble spelling (according to his or her grade level) (MedicineNet, 2009)

Poor handwriting (for his or her grade level) (MedicineNet, 2009).

Poor motor skills (for his or her grade age) (MedicineNet, 2009).

Is incapable of expressing ideas (for his or her age or grade level) (MedicineNet, 2009).

Poor language development and/or limited vocabulary (for his or her age or grade level) (MedicineNet, 2009).

Inability to understand jokes, comic strips, and/or sarcasm (MedicineNet, 2009).

Is unable to following directions (for his or her age or grade level) (MedicineNet, 2009).

Acts out in Antisocial ways such as refusal to follow age appropriate social rules of conversation, taking turns, and/or standing too close to the listener. (MedicineNet, 2009).

Confusing math symbols and/or misreading numbers or letters (MedicineNet, 2009)

Being unable to retell a story in the proper order (first, second, third) (MedicineNet, 2009).

Inability to complete age appropriate tasks (MedicineNet, 2009).

Has difficulty in new social situations (5-NCLD, 2009)

Seems to be unsure how to ask for help or from whom (5-NCLD, 2009)

Looks to peers for reassurance rather than forming his or her own opinion (5-NCLD, 2009)

Misses social cues or nonverbal cues (5-NCLD, 2009)

Refusal to try new things out of fear of failure. (5-NCLD, 2009)

Lack of Self Confidence (5-NCLD, 2009)

What Causes A Learning Disability?

Some people believe that learning disabilities are caused by economic hardships, environmental factors, cultural differences, and laziness (MedicineNet, 2009 & 2-NCLD, 2009). This is not true. Research has found several reasons why some individuals are unable to process information the way others do. The first of which is 100% genetic, because it is not uncommon for learning disabled parents to bore learning disabled children. The second includes illnesses and injuries that can occur during pregnancy. Some of these being drug and alcohol abuse, anything that causes a lack of oxygen to the child, and/ or prolonged labor (2-NCLD, 2009). Third includes incidents that happen after birth, such as a possible head injury, illness with high fever, or lead poisoning (2-NCLD, 2009).

Treatment/Prognosis

Children with learning disabilities grow up to become learning disabled adults (MedicineNet, (2009). 35% drop out of high school, and only 14% attend college (PBS, n.d.). These odds are heart wrenching enough. Except that it gets even worse when you find out that these individuals are four to ten times more likely to become victims of crime (All Walks Of Life, 2008), or that 42% of all offenders have some type of learning deficiency and that 82% of those were classified as learning disabled (Mc Shane, 159, 397).

The good news is that it does not have to end like this (MedicineNet, 2009). With special accommodations, these individuals cannot only learn the skills needed to survive, they can learn what it takes to thrive and make their dreams come true (MedicineNet, 2009). Of course, this usually means that someone has to take the steps to make sure that something positive happens.

The first step to accomplishing this task is for the individual to undergo a diagnostic educational evaluation. This evaluation assesses his or her academic and intellectual potential verses his or her level of academic performance (MedicineNet, 2009). The results of such tests will provide information that will assist in diagnosing what ever is hindering individual achievement.

Once complete, the child receives an individual education plan (IEP) and all the results of assist with future instruction. In other words, the individual (and his or her parents if the person is a minor) will receive in writing what steps will be taken to teach new skills while focusing on the individual's strengths, and compensating for disabilities and weaknesses (MedicineNet, 2009). Sometimes (with medical and parental consent) this may include medication to curb problems of hyper activity other wise known as Attention Defecate Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD) (MedicineNet, 2009). Other times it is a matter of simply supplying an alternative atmosphere and enhanced one-on-one instruction, at a slower level, both of which usually occurs in what is known as a Special Education Classroom (MedicineNet, 2009).

For the record, 2.9 million or 50% of all American students are receiving some type of special education services (3-NCLD, 2009). On the other hand, this does not count privately educated or home-schooled children (2-NCLD, 2009). That is why; the next section will cover some of the different things that any caregiver can do to assist someone who may be struggling; starting with:

Style learner- Everyone learns differently. Some learn by listening to the instructions. Some learn through observation. Then there are others who can only learn when he or she can get their hands dirty (hands-on practice) (MedicineNet, 2009). If you know how the individual learns, you can save yourself a lot of heartache.

Praise - Children with learning disabilities are often unaware of their own strengths (MedicineNet, 2009). Therefore, it is important to not only figure out what he or she is good at, but also provide him or her with the opportunity to show off these talents. By doing this, you provide emotional padding that softens the blow when things do not go so smooth.

Small jobs / chores- Simplified instruction allows an individual to break large jobs down into less stressful tasks. This system builds confidence because it provides more opportunities for praise (MedicineNet, 2009).

Collaboration- Regular communication between all caregivers helps everyone stay on the same level. Sometimes it only takes the slightest thing to knock a LD child off track, which no one wants to happen (MedicineNet, 2009).

Modifications - Textbooks-on-tape, written or audio/ video notes or messages, calculators, calendars, mathematical charts, graphs, and computers with spelling, grammar, or voice recognition programs can all be extremely helpful to learning disabled individual (MedicineNet, 2009).

Extensions: By allowing more time to complete tasks the individual can slow down and relax which allows him or her to work more effectively (MedicineNet, 2009).

Mental Health- It is easy for both the individual and his or her caregiver to get frustrated. Therefore, keep an open mind when it comes to counseling or other support services (friends, family, support groups). These people can help everyone feel better about themselves and the situation (MedicineNet, 2009).

Conclusion

So far, we have discussed the definition of learning disabilities, the symptoms, treatments, and the haunting facts about what happens when learning disorders are not made a priority. What we have yet to do is show just how large a learning disabled child can dream, when he or she is being given the help they deserve. Therefore, this document will end first by providing a few success stories, and then a short list of support links; just incase my readers want to do some research of their own.

(Success stories)

Agatha Christie (1890 -1976) continues to be the world's third best selling author of all time. The only other books to outshine this are the Bible and Shakespeare. She was a true inspiration. After all, even dyslexia could not stand in her way (Disabled World, 2008)!

Albert Einstein could not remember the names of the 12 months that are in a year. Nevertheless, he was a mastermind when it came to solving the most complicated of mathematical formulas. Rumor has it that some people joke that he never learned to tie his shoes, but it is obvious that our society would not be the same without his scientific contributions and theories (Disabled Dating, n.d. & Disabled World, 2008).

Bruce Jenner feared school, teachers, and reading. He was dyslexic. This showed up in his behavior in the classroom, and was mislabeled by teachers. Yet, somehow he grew up, and managed to go on to break a world record when he scored 8,634 points, and won in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal. This earned him the title, "World's Greatest Athlete (Disabled World, 2008).

Henry Winkler gained overnight popularity for his ultra-cool greaser role as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on "Happy Days", a show that aired on ABC between 1974 and 1984. But Fonzie's appearance on the show was a stark contrast compared to his own life, since the actors part made him a drop out and his real life was nothing short of amazing. You see, Fonzie really did suffer from unidentified dyslexia. He was also treated poorly by his family for the his shortcomings, and yet graduated from McBurney High School, received his bachelor's from Emerson College and his MFA from the Yale School of Drama. Then, Emerson gave him an honorary doctorate of humane letters, which was later followed by a Doctor of Humane Letters from Austin College. All this hard work resulting in his becoming a Golden Globe Award-winning American actor, director, producer and author, who now advocates to help others who suffer from dyslexia.

Support links
NICHCY (National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities) publishes free, fact-filled newsletters, arranges workshops and speakers, and advises parents on the laws entitling children with disabilities to special education and other services. Call 1-800-695-0285.

The Learning Disabilities Association seeks to enhance quality of life for people with LD through advocacy, education, research and service. They also publish news briefs and a professional journal and provide information and referral to state chapters, parent resources and local support groups. Call 1-412-341-8077.

LD Online provides a wealth of information for parents, teachers and kids, as well as bulletin boards, and more. They also have LD information in Spanish.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities works to ensure that children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work and life. Call 1-212-687-7211.

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) offers an international network that brings professionals in the field of dyslexia and parents together for a common purpose. Phone (800) ABC-D123 for general information or (410) 296-0232 for detailed information.

The Council for Learning Disabilities is an international organization for professionals. Phone: (913) 492-2546

LD Online has a Kids section, where kids can find good books about LDs, and see other kids' stories and artwork.

NAPSEC (National Association of Private Special Education Centers) provides referrals for private special education programs. Call 1-202-408-3338.

Sibling Information Network publishes a newsletter for and about siblings of children with special needs. 1-203-648-1205.

ADD Warehouse is a catalog of books, videos, and other products to help parents, educators and health professionals understand and treat all developmental disorders, including LD and related problems. Call 1-800-233-9273 (1-800-ADD-WARE).

Resources

All Walks Of Life, Inc (2008) National Organization for Victim Assistance - Message from The Director. Retrieved on October 2009 from theAll Walks Of Life website: http://www.awol-texas.org/articles/article7.htm

CBS Interactive (2009) Hendry Winkler Biography. Retrieved from the TV.Com website: http://www.tv.com/henry-winkler/person/2433/biography.html?tag=content_wrap;cast_crew_list

Mc Shane, Marilyn and Frank Williams. "American Prisons."

Garland Publishing Inc. NY and London. 1996.

MedicineNet. (2009). Learning Disabilities. Retrieved on October 31, 2009 from

Medicine.Net website:

http://www.medicinenet.com/learning_disability/article.htm

PBS (2009) Miss Marple Retrieved on October 1, from the PBS website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/mystery/marple/christie.html

PBS (n.d.) Difficulties with Mathematics What Can Stand in the Way of a Student's Mathematical Development? Retrieved on October 29, 2009 from the PBS website:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/mathdiffs.html

2- The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc . (NCLD) (2009). What Are

Learning Disabilities. Retrieved on October 31, 2009 from the National Center for

Learning Disabilities, Inc website: http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-

explained/basic-facts/what-are-learning-disabilities

3- The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc . (NCLD) (2009). LD Fast Facts.

Retrieved on October 31, 2009 from The National Center for Learning

Disabilities, Inc website: http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-explained/basic-

facts/ld-fast-facts

4- The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc . (NCLD) (2009). Life Success for

Children with Learning Disabilities. Retrieved on October 31, 2009 from the National

Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc website: http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-

explained/basic-facts/ld-fast-facts

5- The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc . (NCLD) (2009). Social/Emotional

Challenges of Learning Disabilities. Retrieved on October 31, 2009 from the

National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc website: http://www.ncld.org/ld-

basics/ld-explained/basic-facts/ld-fast-facts