Im in high school and i take all advanced placement classes. I don't have any trouble understanding material we cover in class, but my problem is speed. I'm ALWAYS the last one to finish reading an assignment during class. My reading speed is sluggish and sometimes i have to re-read a sentence 3-4 times before i understand what its saying, and i often misread words. I have difficulty expressing myself verbally and I have a whole lot of trouble concentrating. Its like my head is a radio station thats buzzing a whole lot of nonsence, which makes it impossible for me to focus and get anything done. I also have a lot of difficulty planning ahead and proiritizing things i have to do. I end up doing everything at the last minute, despite my best efforts to start things earlier. I feel like if i could just focus and finish things faster, i'd do so much better in school. Is it possible that i have a learning disorder? What should i do?
2007-11-02 15:08:25 · 3 answers · asked by Vittoria 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
If you are achieving in your advanced placement classes, it is very doubtful that you have a learning disorder. However, like most people, you more than likely have strengths and weaknesses. It is possible that you have to read things several more times than some of the people in your classes. It's also possible that your particular friends may be a bit more gifted than you are, and you are comparing yourself to them. This would be too bad... it's always a good thing to hang with very smart people, and for almost everyone there's someone to be found who is smarter than they are!
I had a high school friend that everything came easily to. This continued in college (her college friends couldn't believe how little she studied, and still got a 4.0). She decided to enter a Ph.D. program, because she was afraid to get a job and try to support herself (bad reason). Well, she learned that she had to start studying in grad school. She was panicked. She had no study skills! She bailed with her M.S.
If you want testing, you will probably have to get one of your teachers to agree that you might have a learning disability in order to get evaluated for free by the school psychologist. Or your parents could have you evaluated privately by a psychologist. It's expensive, but they'll test anyone. One more possibility is, if you have a local college or university with a school psychology program, you could call it up and submit yourself for students to test; that would be free, and it's overseen by their professor.
It is possible that you're developing anxiety around schoolwork, and perhaps worry that you don't have as much on the ball as your classmates (a classic worry). Anxiety will inhibit your concentration and planning ability, and it is not a learning disorder, but a mental health disorder.
I'd suggest that you take up some activities that will reduce anxiety, like yoga, meditation (personally I like Transcendental Meditation, www.tm.org, it's terrific for increasing cognitive functioning, has had a very positive impact on ADHD) or tai chi. Concentrate on being the best you that you can. Eat healthy (fresh fruits and veggies, avoid processed and junk foods), get plenty of sleep (bed before 10pm is best), exercise. If you're sleep deprived in any way, you will gain a lot just by fixing that.
Good luck. I hope you're soon on the road to feeling and achieving your best.
2007-11-02 15:57:04 · answer #1 · answered by Singinganddancing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go Get A Check-Up.
2007-11-02 22:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have that problem too... I am wondering what it is
2007-11-02 22:16:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋