I am an adult with LD

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I am a 24 year old female with dyslexia, written expression deficiency, and sever processing disorder both audio and visual.

I was diagonosed in 1995 after my first term in college. I graduated magna cum laude with a chemisty BA (French minor) in 2000 at Oregon State Univeristy. Now, I am going to Purdue Unverisity as a organic chemistry graduate student. I am planning on becoming a instructor in organic chemistry someday.

Where does the learning disability play in all of this? Well, it has taken me awhile to come to grips with the very idea that I have am a adult with LD. Believe me, it was not an easy thing to accept. I lost so many “friends” when I openned up about being LD. Now, I am pretty open about it and pretty upfront with people. I figure, you have to take the total package if you are going to be my friend. I have turned what I thought was a tradegdy into a blessing.

I have decided that I want to devote my life to research dealing with how to teach people with learning disabilities. If I am really lucky, I might be able to see how others can make the connections that I have made with science. Who knows, maybe it is not “two strikes and almost out.” I would truly love to turn people on to science. I would greatly apperciate any help in trying to make this goal a reality (any resources that anyone out there can direct me to would be GREAT).

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/29/2001 - 11:31 PM

Permalink

Hello, kay i am a former non-catagory(learning disabilities)HS special ed student of the 1960s(comprehension) the birth of the dinosuar special education i often wonder which came first special education or T-Rex. anyway here the news after my discharge from a state mental hospital (summer1967 to summerof my discharge in1973 i returned to a community college in my home town. got my Associte of sciece degree in General Horticulture/Agriculture areas i am now living in northeast oklahoma/single/52 working on my Bacholors of General Studies/B.S,General Studies with concentration in Biology and Geology when all that is completed i will be working on my Masters in adult education hopefully as an higher education instructor or consultant in college students with LD i am doing all my degree work through non tridational study programs through the university of indiana and charter oaks college checkout the special education servivors in the yahoo clubs

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/29/2001 - 11:42 PM

Permalink

Hello, kay i am a former non-catagory(learning disabilities)HS special ed student of the 1960s(comprehension) the birth of the dinosuar special education i often wonder which came first special education or T-Rex. anyway here the news after my discharge from a state mental hospital (summer1967 to summerof my discharge in1973 i returned to a community college in my home town. got my Associte of sciece degree in General Horticulture/Agriculture areas i am now living in northeast oklahoma/single/52 working on my Bacholors of General Studies/B.S,General Studies with concentration in Biology and Geology when all that is completed i will be working on my Masters in adult education hopefully as an higher education instructor or consultant in college students with LD i am doing all my degree work through non tridational study programs through the university of indiana and charter oaks college checkout the special education servivors in the yahoo clubs. i can get my college degree (same as being on campus to receive it) this way also.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/30/2001 - 11:09 AM

Permalink

Good Day,
I, too, am dyslex. Growing up being made feel by teachers that I was stupid at the age of 23, I was able to put my self through teacher’s college after completing 1 year of high school by correspondence.
I now try to help children with learning problems academicly and personally.
After running away and trying to commit suiside as a teenager, I don’t like any one else to suffer as I did.
Of course, I went through school in the good old ‘50 and here in Australia, Learning Support teachers weren’t employed until the late ‘70’s.
If any one can give me tips on what helped them to learn, I would appriciate it.
The more strategies that work the better equiped I am to help by trying, trying, trying until I can find the key to help the child.
All the best with your science project.
I know for me I have to see and do, and do, and do and then I can do myself (with support if needed).
Take care
Have a wonderful life.
Melody

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 04/01/2001 - 4:34 PM

Permalink

Kay,
Very nice to meet you! I am also an adult dyslexic. I was diagnosed in kindergarten,have two boys with ADHD/LD my husband is ADHD,but never diagnosed. Did you have a sense of relief when you finally found out? How proud of yourself you must be! Interestingly enough I must tell you EVERYONE in my house is very much into science. I firmly believe that Science is an area where it pays to be dyslexic. I am a nurse. I specialized in Orthopedics/Neurology /Pediatrics. My children are in a school for gifted/LD children,which is very heavy in the areas of science,as a matter of fact,they are learning high school level science,they are 4th and 5th grade. My husband has a natural ability in life sciences. Dyslexics learn best in a hands on arena. You will have no problem getting LD kids into science they have a natural love for it anyway. In my childtren’s school the director has a Phd in Marine Biology. There is a whole room dedicated to reptiles. They have every kind imaginable. Dart Frogs,Lizards,Snakes,etc. Their last field trip was going to the Bay and searching for the Drawf Seahorse,all the students there have a love for the enviroment,want to learn more,and are currently raising money for their summer trip. They want to go to the Amazon Rain Forest,before it isn’t there anymore. Good Luck,don’t think you will have much trouble with your endeavours,these kids love Science!!

Back to Top