62% of LD kids are unemployed 1 year after high school,why?

Question

I got that statistic from the Bodine School website.
Could it be they got a Certifiacte of completion and
not a diploma.
Has trouble holding down a job?-I had trouble holding down jobs because I was not fast,it
was jobs in restaurants.It was not because I did
not try.I always felt not having a job made me look
bad. What are some other reasons for this?

Answer 1

Contrary to popular opinion, LD kids are not dumb. They just learn differently from the rest of us and they have to work harder at the rules society has for how we learn and what we learn.

In our fast-paced society there is no tolerance for quotas not met in a "timely" manner (like 5 minutes ago). We live too much by the cliche "time is money".

While reading this site, I felt a little uneasy because the article was very heavy handed and almost at times blamed the LD person for their own problems: http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=979&WT.srch=1 But towards the bottom it gives some good advice on staying employed once the person gets a job. The very end makes what the author is trying to get across to the read much clearer :
" Without question, however, successful transition to employment requires three key elements:

A transition program in middle school and high school that is linked to the realities of the workplace;

a young person’s ability to ‘reframe’ his learning disability;

and a young person’s willingness to be adaptive and flexible in employment settings.

Parents should closely monitor the school’s transition program. With parent support, the young person himself should take major responsibility for reframing his disability and learning how to be flexible and adaptable in the work setting." Paul J. Gerber, Ph.D.

So it sounds like schools should be starting programs earlier than high shool.

Here is another site that I found interesting and wondered if counselors really understand how LD really affects the employment of the LD person : http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/publications/briefs/ld/home.html

I have found that employers who do a good job at analysing the skills of an LD employee and place them in a position where they can succeed get, a lot in return from that employee. Most times that does not happen.

Answer 2

In my opinion only;

The school system is not geared to handle these children correctly. Maybe the school shouldnt be teaching that columbus sailed the ocean blue, rather how to deal with real life once they reach the outside. Balancing thier check books, basic human relations, and other real life skills should be tought to all students, but especially the LD students. Ld's shouldnt be just socially passed through school either. I believe the first thing they tought in grade K, was, "If at first you dont succeed, try try again". Well, my little brother was LD, now hes on disabiltiy, socially passed through the education sytem which failed him and the rest of America. And lil' bro is not stupid either, they just didnt have the patience. And I tell you what, my 7 year old daughter is having troubles with school too, and they went ahead and passed her through grade K, we made the mistake of allowing it. No more. Parents shouldnt feel bad holding thier children back till they get it. Dont forget that quote I just mentioned. I mean come on, Corkey has a job at McDonalds for the past fifteen years, BUt you know what, children with down syndrome get closer attention and arent forgotten about. BUt oh well, theres nothing you or anyone else can do. This is the way its always been, and its going to get worse. Maybe the government should start spending our war money on our children that arent stupid, they just need a little bit more attention but no one will take the time to do it, so parents, its your responsibility to teach them the fundamentals to live in our every day world.

Answer 3

I think that in some cases (not all) these kids after they were diagnosed were treated differently by their parents and teachers. They were favored and allowed to except mistakes more easily then non LD students. The parents did not push them as hard as before they were diagnosed. I think this has a drastic effect of the child's social skills, work ethic and expectations as well as self confidence. It is sad to say but I believe that many of these children would have been very successful if it had not been for the differentiated treatment.

Answer 4

Think about the reason they are in different classes than everyone else. They have a learning disability, which hinders them mentally.

When they become adults, it is no different for many of them. They have trouble learning job duties, etc.

I do think that most schools are improperly teaching these children from the beginning. Handicapped children need special attention, and they are often not given the proper training they need, whatever mental handicapp they have.


As an adult, these people have a hard time functioning with everyday normal life, and as an adult, they do not get the help they need to succeed.

Answer 5

This is true for everyone, not just folks with LD: when thinking about what you want to do in the world of work, think about what you do best, what you enjoy doing, where you enjoy being -- in short, think back over your life and consider what makes your heart "sing". Consider what you are doing when you just plain lose track of time doing something. Gardening, writing, helping older people get around...whatever. Whether you're LD or ADHD or MENSA material, think about how and in what environment you operate best. None of us can achieve our peak performance if we're trying to fit our "square peg" strengths into a job with "round peg" requirements!

Answer 6

Several factors play into that issue from improper education and handling by the schools to the individual issues facing the teenager. Blanket studies are not really good in dealing with disabilities, however they are good at determing if a social wellfare system is failing the population. Really, one would have to examine each individual on a case-by-case basis.

Answer 7

some employers like you to have experience, but how you going to get that experience if no one will employ you. my daughter had this problem but thankfully she did get a job in the end. you will find once you have a job you will find it easier to get another.