Hi,
I am a 16 year old girl who has a non verbal learning disablitles. I just found out over the summer, and it does make sense. My whole life I have been bad at math, and math based science. I want to do well in school but i have a very hard time. I am on academic probation because of my poor grades and can’t participate in extra-ciricular activitites.I am depressed a lot, and I truley hate school. Most of my friends get straight As and very invloved. I want to go to college really bad, and I want to go to some where in NYC because I want to be an actor in film, or a screenwriter because thats what I love. I don’t feel I should be going to school. I want to be in the school plays but I can’t auditon due to my poor grades. I am really angry whenever I am in school and all I do is listen to music to help me out. What advice to you adults have for a teenage girl strugling to get by with a LD? I am lost and can’t find any support groups for teens. thanks
lily
Re: High School Student with LD
Hey Lily
I just wanted to tell you to not keep from getting frustrated as a sophomore in college I remember high school and the trouble I had. I have learned that it is not all about the grade, make sure you go and talk to your teachers and you school’s counselor or administrator who is in charge of students with LD’s. Also you may want to make sure you are receiving the right accommodations for tests and class work that could help you performer better on test. Just remember Albert Einstein who had an LD flunked math in high school. Also in respect to acting remember Tom Cruise is unable to read due to severe dyslexia. He is able to memorize lines and perform on the stage and screen. I never was able to find support groups while in high school ether. I think the best thing for you to do is tell you school your angry and have them to work with you to make things better.
I also Agree with bgb that the school should be able to waive the no pass no play requirement for extra circular activities this was an easy proces for me all I had to do was meet with the princapal and sign a paper.
Re: High School Student with LD
Lily,
I too am in college and I have an LD as well. During high school I had a lot of problems as weel and was on Dance Team, so I know the pressures you are feeling and the feelings that accompany all the pressures. PLEASE know that the school can help you. During your next ARD make sure they put on your IEP all of the modifications that you want/need, and that way you have everything at your finger tips to assist you and help you so the option of failing is no longer an option. I had extra test time and daily work I would sometimes take it to what we called CMC, which in some schools is known as Resouce Room. In those rooms they have teachers that can help you with whatever you need help with. Also, the best advice I can give you is once you prove to yourself and your teachers that you can and want to do whatever to pass you will and it will become much easier. It took me years to grasp that concept, but I am now a junior in college and will soon be a Special Education teacher. So, do not let anyone, including yourself, tell you that you cannot do it because you can. Good Luck and keep your head up!
ged
one thing you might want to do is start getting involved with acting related activities/classes out of school. if your grades are bad, maby just focus on getting your GED. highschool is a waste of time that can restrict your personal strengths alot more than you know; especialy if you have learning disorders. If there is a goal you want to achieve, you dont nessesarily need to walk the path that everybody else does to get there.
Re: High School Student with LD
To reply to Mike80, I would agree with pursuing your dreams and goals, however just because someone has a learning difference does not mean they should be completely different and give up what they have already accomplished. Meaning do not give up your sporting event but yes maybe add an outside of school activity to let you try something different but do not give up at your current level you have made it this far you can make it the reast of the way.
Hi, Lily.
Have you and your parents talked to the school about the non-verbal learning disablity? You should be getting support so you can succeed in school.
If your poor grades are due to your disability, I think you can ask the school to waive the grade requirement for extra curiculiar activities. You may wish to repost your question in the “parenting” or “teaching” boards as they get a lot more traffic than this one.