what happens to most kids with a learning disability?

Question

Is there more help today than 30 years ago?
Do they have trouble holding down jobs?
Are colleges more LD friendly today than 30 years ago?
Do they ever catch up to grade level?

Answer 1

30 years ago, there was little help or assistance for those with a learning disability.

Thankfully schools and university's are more supporting of those with learning difficulty's. But there is still a long way to go though, as pacific training towards particular conditions, e.g dyslexia needs to be taught to teachers. Also teachers need to be taught how to look for signs of a learning difficulty, rather than label a student as lazy or distributive.

Some universities and schools offer tutors, note takers, and computers etc. Teachers are made aware of students with a disability, and accommodate for the students needs, and offer extensions on assignments and may take in to consideration when marking assignments, (dependent on type of disability). This is if the student has disclosed they have a disability.

Also most educational centres offer hands on type training, that has been designed pacifically to those with disabilities, which requires little or no hand written work and or reading. Even life skills classes are offered, as to how to handle money, budget, shop and how to cook a meal, and keep a home tidy.

With support from the educational centres, teachers and parents and or carers, most students can obtain some level of formal education. Thus giving them confidence and self esteem, making it easier to gain work, be it part time or full time, unsupported or supported (supervised).

Most colleagues are fairly understanding with someone with learning disability, as long as they (the person with the disability) are seen to pull his or her weight when doing the work required.

I must say in order for those with disabilities to learn, that support must come from parents and teachers, not just the teacher, children learn more in their first 5 years of life than any other time. But parents of children with disabilities MUST have support from the community.

Edited on the 27th Dec
I should have said that I was in Australia, while the system has a long way to go, it is far better than it used to be, or my daughter and I would not have gained the qualifications we have.

I am currently trying get assistance for further studies next year, admittedly its not easy, but as I have some knowledge as to who to see, and where to go, it also helps to be persistent. I also have another recognised disability so have been told that I will have access to class room support etc.

As it turns out there will be another student who has dyslexia in the class, so we are supporting each other, and both pushing for the teachers, to have a work shop on dyslexia and other learning difficulties.

So I would like to say that with right support and encouragement students with a learning disability do succeed.

I be stuffed with out spell check, and text help program, which is designed for students with learning difficulties.

Answer 2

Hopefully they encounter a mentor or person who believes in them who will encourage them....

Is there more help? My belief is that at least in some counties there is not! Like where we live (in FL). I would hope in some states where they put more money in education they do have more help, but don't know (I will be curious to read the other posts).

When we went to our first IEP meeting for my ds, they told us after the meeting to take our son to a Lindamood Bell which was at the time 5 years ago a $6000 program which we did not have. They said this after the meeting so they wouldn't have to pay for it I assume. They don't have any actual dyslexia programs, they use a fluency program with untrained providers (my friend with no experience or training was then teaching the program). However, once in college, they have notetakers and extra exam time so that is good.

Trouble holding down jobs? Not if you choose the right job that fits your strengths. Learning disabled people are very hard-working, intelligent, motivated, and extremely empathetic so make the best employees and managers.

Colleges for the most part tend to be LD-friendly, so I would assume they are more LD friendly than 30 years ago, although there can still be professors that can be discouraging. My dh was in college and had one or two professors that were not encouraging. When one professor saw that my dh had to take an exemption on the standardized writing portion of the exam, yet had finished all the other requirements to graduate college, the professor asked if my dh was sure he wanted to exempt that, since he didn't think it would it be fair. As if getting through 4 years of college with dyslexia and a writing disability should be thrown away by my dh because of one writing essay on a standardized exam, as if he didn't work twice as hard in college with his LD's! (After that he finished law school, and became a lawyer).

Do they catch up? When both my LD ds and dh were tested they had a lot of subtest scatter on their IQ tests and grade-level testing. In some areas, they scored quite low, but in other areas they scored gifted. From what I have read this is fairly typical for LD kids and adults. For instance, the average person might score on an IQ test around 9-11 on subtests. LD kids might score 7s and 16s, or 5s and 15s, (at least in my family) or something like that. I have found that in some areas (we homeschool) I can really improve my son's learning, like his reading, writing, spelling, etc, but he's still probably a grade level behind and I suspect he may always be a little weaker in those areas. But some areas like science, math, etc, he is a grade or 2 levels ahead. He's also very strong in visual-spatial areas as well.

Answer 3

It all really depends on the learning disability the child has. I myself have a hard time with my reading and writing but i excel in math. There is a lot more help compare to 30 years ago , I've notice from my father who once taught me to spell CANADA like this CANDA. Yes most colleges are LD friendly but again it depends on the college and where . Talk to the college before attending and see the help they have. There is also scholarships that are there for kids with LD. Be patient with the child and don't blame them for the mistake try to support them this will help since most kids are teased mostly in grade school about there LD. Try also to get extra help outside of the school if needed and remember reward them if they do something good..like if they get perfect on a spelling test.

Answer 4

I worked with LD kids and I found that if they are encouraged to explore and learn about things they absolutely love, then they are more likely to succeed at those things, rather than things we "think" they should succeed at (e.g. reading classical literature and doing Calculus).

One kid I knew, loved loved loved loved cars and trucks and mechanical things -- pretty much nothing that they taught in schools. But once he was old enough, he took a community college class while in high school and now has a job he loves doing auto-repair.

Although I think colleges are good at accommodating LD kids, I don't think college (in its traditional sense) is always the best path for them if their interests aren't in line with what is offered.

Answer 5

In Australia the schools are more focused on those with learning disabilities, than they used to be. I struggled through school, due to a learning disability and bullies made school life hell.

But with the support of my parents and a few good teachers, I have made it through higher education. Hence my career choice, as a qualified Disabilities Teacher's Aide.

As someone said in main stream schools and universities (in Australia) are more inclined to helps students with learning difficulties. Offering tutors, note takers and use of computers in within the class room.

Children with learning difficulties need support both from parents and teachers, you can not teach a child if they are not being supported at home, with encouragement to attempt home work etc. You can not expect the teacher to do it all, but they do need to be a little more supportive of students who have a recognised learning difficulty.

Teachers in main stream schools are NOT taught enough about learning difficulties, and this has to be addressed. I believe that at lest one year of studies on learning difficulties, and how to recognise and work with a student who has learning difficulty, is important. This would also include doing work placement with students with a learning difficulty. I think Georgie had said something similar to this.

While I hate most of my teachers, (except those who kind enough to help me) I have a better understanding of the teachers role with in the class room.

jdeekdee sorry your having problems, my mother had many disputes with the schools, and even had the education department investigate one particular school. I believe they may have lost some of there funding, as it was not being used correctly. Mum did not fight just for me she fought for a few other students, who needed help. She would also unite with other parents, and give the school curry.

Parents and carers who are having trouble gaining assistance, need to be united as a group rather than a single entity. Contact disability advocacy agents, and have a large media coverage about issues that concern parents and carers. Parents/carers are the voice of their children, and have to advocate for their children who have a disability.

Answer 6

yes there is a lot of help colleges are more accepting of ld students and offer help as for jobs i have yet to get one i'm ld in math i have been below grade in math but above in english

Answer 7

to answer your last questions
abtou do tehy ever ketch up
it depends
i have a mix of two learnng disablities
i hjave disgraphea
and disslexi
as u can prob tell from my typign i have issues in wrtign adn reading
btu i am in hte correct grade
it has been hard, i've gotten use to ppl gettingthing sfaster then me, and all fo my teachers are informed so they cut my a little slack, but yeah so pretty much it depends on the person

Answer 8

definitely there is more help to day than 30 years ago. it just depends on the person and what disability and to what extent they have it. it also depends on how involved there family is in helping them to learn. alot of times i think these people just get pushed through school not being challenged to there full potential.

Answer 9

Kids who have learning disabilities have to have someone willing to fight for them, there are programs that can help these kids accomplish something. If they don't recieve the help they need they get left behind. Trades are the best thing for most of these kids

Answer 10

the help is greater today. My son has asd, high functioning autism, academically at the age of 3 , he can do more math than most 6 yr olds in a way that is frightening. Our problem is his social end