What is LD & might I have it?

A learning disability (LD) is characterized by what is called a processing deficit- a difference in the way your brain takes in and processes certain types of information. It can be related to how much information you can process, how rapidly you can process, how effectively you can store it to retrieve later, the ability to mainain attention, abstract reasoning skills- and can affect your ability to manage visual or verbal information and thus your capacity to learn. There can also be more than one area of weakness. It is determined through assessment- an IQ and achievement test is generally where you start- after making a decision about any physical issues like hearing or vision. You can be tested for LD by a psychologist- through a university, a private one or one associated with a hospital. They are relatively easy to find:) but you might want to get recommendations or a referral from a physician of friends with kids in school who have some experience.

Robin

Hi MZ,

You owe it to yourself to be tested. LDs can have a great impact on how you live your life. You don’t say how much education you have, what you do for a living, if you are married, if you are a parent, etc. But unrecognized LDs can make a difference in how you handle each of these situations. By knowing what kinds of strengths and weaknesses you have, you may be able to focus more on your strengths, and spend less time worrying about things you cannot do well. I hope you will look into being evaluated, especially if you have children. Your kids may have problems learning and retaining some kinds of material too. They may need to be evaluated so they can get the help they need in school. If you do have LDs, you probably know all too well how easily people can jump to conclusions about you, your willingness to work, your intelligence etc. Do what you need to do to get evaluated, because you deserve it. If you are 38, you have many years ahead of you. Make the most of them! Best wishes. JJ

Thank you for your kind responses. I feel like I’m stupid for wondering about this but I wouldn’t mind knowing. It’s a little late where kids are concerned since we have three and one is almost through with high school. The interesting thing is… they are all academically gifted! I always give my husband the credit since he was an A student too and having graduated from University in EE has been a major accomplishment in my estimation since we’ve never had to do without. This is where I’m concerned… there has always been someone there for me throughout my life, I’ve never been able to determine my own capabilities. In a lot of respects I’m afraid to know because I’m sure I will dwell on those things I do not know and perhaps should. So I’m not sure if it’s an LD thing or more a personal problem of dependency. Still I feel some of the signs of being LD with not being able to recite something I’ve recently read or heard as well as my mathematical failures. I sometimes wonder if the problem comes from not seriously applying myself since I’ve always opted for the easy way out. I suppose these are questions I should work to have answered.

Thanks for your time.

You could probly go to a psych. and get some testing done. I went to be evaluated for add, and yes I do have it. Interesting though, I seem to also be a dependent/avoidant personality based on some of the testing I took that was supposed to rule out things like schizophrenia,depression etc. One other piece of info was the wisc test, I scored 121 on the verbal but 80 on the performance part, which averages to 100 as my iq. But since I also have had a hard time with math(seems like forever!) and some of the personality quirks are extreme shyness, and awkwardness in groups(not to mention no athletic ability whatsoever) perhaps I more likely fit the idea of non verbal learning disorder. I haven’t pushed any further just kind of looked at it out of curiousity. I too have always depended on someone else, I have given some thought as to what I might be good at in case something were to happen and I had to raise my boys by myself. Still haven’t figured it out, but I am looking into it. I tell folks I still haven’t figured out what I want to be when I grow up(I am 38!) anyway, I don’t think it is too late for self discovery, if you feel dissatisfied with things the way they are, there aren’t too many reasons not to pursue those feelings(money could be one, though). I hope I helped out some, best wishes to you.

I don’t know if you ever listen to Dr. Laura Schlessinger on the radio. She says that a child’s intelligence comes from the mother! That statement gave me quite a boost!

Wow, how I’d love to know that as being a fact! If that were so then I think my self confidence would sky rocket! Seriously!

Any idea where she gets such information? How can we be sure it’s accurate?

Interesting…

She says it seriously, and she has her PhD in physiology. I agree with 95% of what she says on the radio, so why shouldn’t I believe this, too. Especially when it gives me such a boost.:> Don’t you agree?!

Asolutely if I knew it to be fact. I thought the debate was still out on that one though. Hmmm.. wonder if we could get more proof?! You see, personally I don’t have a clue but if there if fact to be found I’d love to know about it!

Hi Amy, sounds like we share some things in common. Could be I have a form of ADD, I don’t really know for sure. I do seem to be easily distracted at times. My mom is the same way, she sort of zones out from what we’re talking about to some other thought. I guess that could be considered a form of ADD. I don’t feel like I’m schizophrenic, or depressed. I do have similar things I’m not good at too such as any kind of athelitic ability (I feel I ruined that with smoking and other stupid choices in high school) sure was embarrasing not to be able to run like the other kids and I wasn’t obese so that wasn’t a contributing factor! Much like you, at 38 myself I still haven’t figured out what I would like for my future! I have three kids too and to raise them alone would have been a whole different world! I have grown and matured in many areas, just not in confidence. I agree, it’s never too late. Just wish I had more drive! I don’t feel like college at this point in my life and I’ve just now discovered myself spiritually, not having choices made for me but actually understanding what it is I myself believes. That has been one awesome discovery! I’m glad to say I chose God and His word and Son Jesus Christ! That IS a personal thing indeed for each of us no matter how badly anyone else might want it for us. Such is life, much the same way I beleive. Some of us just get it a little slower.

Have a great day!