Was It An LD or Just Lack of Math Skills?

Guess what? Yesterday I checked to see if my grades were posted online- I got a B in Math class! :) All that hard work with only tutoring at the disabled center. For the finals I didn’t get untimed tests as I wanted to see if I could do without, and it looks like I’m not as bad at math as I thought I was.

Actually though I officially wasn’t diagnosed with a math LD I was told my low math level, compaired to my reading and English levels, were in the “at risk” level but not LD. Still there were many factors that the disabled center testers said that indicates I have “possible” LD’s in math:

1)Difficult birth as I was a breach baby. They said a lack of oxygen here could have caused my LDs.

2) As a teenager I had an eating disorder and barely had any fat in my diet which I could have caused brain damage from nutritional deficiency.

3) At two I fell and smacked my forehead on a coffee table which required several stitches.

4) The academic counselor at the disabled center said from what I said about my father’s behavioral problems ( they asked on a test if one or both of your parents or relatives acted up in school or diagnosed as LD or ADD) that he could have undiagnosed LD’s and thats why he acted up in class. This means my LD are possibly genetic.

5) It took me two years to be able to remember all my times tables. It was quite frustrating as I either needed to use a calculator ( which my fanily blames on my LD’s) or had to add the numbers together such as adding eight eights together for 8*8. This around the time I figured out there was something wrong as being a fifth grader who struggled to remember my times tables, while the special ed class next to mine were younger students and could learn faster than me. One of the special ed kids was in my fifth grade math class and she was only third grade, and I felt ashamed that she remembered her times tables the first time and I worked so hard to remember them.

Hi, Amber; Everyone –
Don’t pass up favors! It is good to hear from you, Amber. I am glad you had success in your class. It probably is a matter of your *comprehension* of the material; and also that you understand how to form and express the math on paper, and can do so in the given (alloted) amount of time. Great for you! Congratulations. Don’t give up or neglect the opportunity to take the Final Exam in the Disabled Student Center however, you may need that extra time, to correct mistakes before you turn your test in to the professor or proctor/monitor. I am glad you are doing well, and you have my best wishes. /signed/ Joe Tag; Resarch Assistant/Teaching Assistant for Political Science; Kean University; Union, New Jersey 07083

[quote=Amber]This semester I’m taking an advanced math class to be able to transfer to a state university. I have always felt like I had a math LD, but it seems like this semester I’m doing quite well. Usually I take my math and algebra tests in the disabled center at the college I attend, but this time I decided to only go along with the tutoring provided by them and do tests along with the other students in class. I’ve done quite well without the extra help as right now I have an 86% in the class, and I guess if I do well on the next couple of tests, homework assignments, and the finals ( coming up next month) I will probably pass this class with either a B plus or an A minus.

So I’m wondering if I even had any math LD’s in the first place. My pre-algebra teacher always pointed out it was more that I had a lack of solid math skills and self esteem. Also this semester I’m not taking any herbal remedies or dietary suppliments to try to heal my LD as I have in the past though my eating habits have changed. I’m eating better: more fruits, vegetables, and lean meat.

Maybe with all of these rigorous math classes I’m taking, combined with better nutrition, my brain healed from my LD in math, or I might have not had one in the first place? [/quote]

Amber, I think that your foundation might have been out of whack or something. Because, a math ld kinda means that your parietal lobes are a bit underdeveloped and there is nothing with the vitamins and nutrition which can help that at all.

At any rate, darling, I am happy that you have worked things out and I hope you continue to do well.

[color=red]WELL DONE!![/color] [IMG]http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k194/Frog2_2006/Frog/6b625951.gif[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k194/Frog2_2006/Frog/FrogMountainAnimated.gif[/IMG]

Amber! Congratulations! Now, what will you be taking next semester? When does the semester start?

This January sixteenth I start taking two History classes( modern world history and ancient world history) and a Psychology class, then in Summer I take two Science classes before I transfer to a state university in Fall 2007. When I’m at university there will be no more algebra or math classes for me as the class I just got a B in is for transfering for my general ed at university. I’m planning to go this Spring to the university campus and check out the disability services there so I’ll have a head start in getting help from them.

January 16th is when Kean U. starts, also. Amber, it looks like you have a real plan. Keep your Math textbooks (the ones that were best helpful) though; they may come in handy some day. Don’t sell that one.
Have a Happy New Year, and best of luck to you next semester. I have been offered a re-hire position, for next semester. ((hugs)) . Take care. /signed/ Joe.

[quote=Amber]This January sixteenth I start taking two History classes( modern world history and ancient world history) and a Psychology class, then in Summer I take two Science classes before I transfer to a state university in Fall 2007. When I’m at university there will be no more algebra or math classes for me as the class I just got a B in is for transfering for my general ed at university. I’m planning to go this Spring to the university campus and check out the disability services there so I’ll have a head start in getting help from them. [/quote]

I think the math improvement can be influenced by instructor, instructional style, matured ability to cope with the LD/problems, and more positive outlook (which is influenced by healthier diet and other things you mentioned). So I don’t think it would be fair to completely discount the presence of an LD, unless your diagnosis confirms it.