What are some good options for an adult who wants to learn but has a learning disability?

Question

What are some good options for an adult who wants to learn but has a learning disability?

Answer 1

I would start with researching the disability.  Sometimes I think we believe we have a disability, when actually we just believe we do.  I find it hard not to believe that every person has a specialty in their life that's hard to match by others.  We need to test, test, & retest ourselves until we clearly discover who we are, and what we do best, (oftentimes better than anyone around us).  Next, I would focus on subjects of interests...(not general education).  We do better at things we are interested in.  I feel like a complete idiot sometimes with this computer & it's programs and functions.  A lot of my problem is kinda like ADD.  I can't focus my attention well sometimes because I'm impatient.  There's lots of causes for learning disabilities, but I believe there are ways to deal with it and over come a lot of it.  

Another option is video learning tapes.  If the problem is reading, this can overcome by watching video programs.  A great saying is "As a man thinketh in his heart....so is he".  I agree we do need to set limitations....but not short of our goals.

A third step I would take is: KISS.  That is a Dale Carnegie saying "keep it simple stupid".  (I'm not calling you stupid, seriously).  What I'm driving at is start in the lowest level at first that is confortable and you feel safe about any subject of interests.  The growing process comes from nature...you'll get there if you stay with it.  

Finally, I remember trying to learn the words to a song done by Keith Whitley "Don't Close Your Eyes".  It took me almost 3 weeks to get it imprinted into my mind, but believe me...once I succeeded, nobody could out sing me on that particular song...(lol...I have a trophy from a contest to prove it).  So...ooo...Forget the disability (problem) and go for the goal...(solution to the problem).  Focus on the solution...not the problem.  

Lastly...believe..believe..believe...e... if only the size of a "mustard seed"...any mountain you have in your life...can be moved...with faith...and an attitude of perserverance.

Good Luck

Trent

Answer 2

Hello:

If you have an IEP from high school, you can take it to the disabilities office of any publicly funded university or college and they have to implement what you need.

Most learning disabilities involve several areas of the brain. I will give you some examples and the way to help yourself modify the environment so that you can learn. Unfortunately, you didn't mention the areas in which you are having problems, so it is hard to give you an accurate answer.

If you have reading problems, deficits in the following areas will cause you come difficulty:

Visual Memory deficits: This means you are having trouble remembering what you read. To get around this, use a graphic organizer when you are reading so you can write down the main points. Go to the "Teacher Vision Website and they have some free ones that you can download. It isn't anything complex, but it will help you remember and understand what you read.

Visual Processing Deficits: You read the words perfectly, but you don't understand what you are reading. This means you are having trouble getting the info to the right place in your brain. Again, use a graphic organizer to have things make sense.

If you have trouble understanding a lecture, you may have an Auditory Memory Deficit or a Visual Motor Integration deficit.

An auditory memory deficit is similar to a visual memory deficit. Some  of the remedies to this are to ask the teacher for an outline of what he or she is going to say.

Another thing that often happens, is that people have trouble copying something from the board or overhead. This is the visual motor integration deficit. You have trouble getting things from a distance, down to your hand. If you have really poor handwriting, this can definitely be the case. Ask you teacher to give you a desk copy of anything that is written on the board.

When in doubt, use a graphic organizer. I use these with my students all of the time and they make a world of difference to them. Try that website!