Living with disabilities and there challenges

Abstract

This article informs readers of the life of a person with a learning disability. It defines what a learning disability is, and how common they are, also showing the accommodations that schools give to those who may have a learning disability. Showing the most common learning disability. It similarly shows the gender differences when it comes to diagnosing some learning disabilities, mostly looking at ADHD and bringing attention to the problem in which people who possess a learning disability may be getting harassed at school. This paper shows the mental health of a person who has to live with a learning disability day to day.

Introduction

Learning disabilities, also known as LDs, are neurological disorders that make it harder for a person to do one or more of these subjects: listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations. Some known examples of LDs are dyslexia which is a language processing disorder, ADHD which is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Dysgraphia which is the difficulty with the act of writing. IDEA which stands for The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act describes the definition of learning disabilities as, “A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations”(Newport Academy, 2017, p.1).

The number of kids and adults that live with learning disabilities

Learning disabilities affect many people, kids, and adults: “At least 1 in every 59 children has one or several learning disabilities,” (Zauderer, 2022, p. 1). Many kids have multiple learning disabilities; in 2021, 2.8 million kids were given a special education service. Helping them learn equally with the rest.

Help is given to people with learning disabilities

Kids with learning disabilities are granted help and are given advantages that equalize the opportunities that are given to other students. If a person needs these accommodations they first have to assess the person's needs plus how their brain processes the world. This is usually done by the parents watching their kids closely, finding things they think might halter their ability to learn new subjects in a school or work environment. When finished with that, if the parent thinks a little extra help would be beneficial, the school can provide an IEP or a 504 for those needing it. An IEP is an Individualized Educational Plan. A child could also be recommended to a 504 plan. A 504 plan is a federal civil rights act that ensures a student or staff cannot be discriminated against due to their disability. The school has the final decision on which someone is placed into.

504

There is no requirement for what is included in a 504 plan. However, a school will evaluate a student and figure out what the best course of action would be for that individual. There are many different helpful tools a student can be given; for instance, “Accommodations can include assistive technology, preferential seating, getting a written list of instructions, receiving class notes prior to the lesson, and larger text, among many others,” (Schmidt, n.d., p. 1). The general rule is if the disability is not hindering basic life functions or activities they will be given a 504 plan. Schools may grant a student with a 504 plan for a medical condition that requires support but not specialized instruction. 504 will follow someone through college.

IEP

An IEP also known as a Individualized Educational Plan is more strict on the information inside it: “An IEP must contain information about the child and the specific and unique educational program designed to meet their needs,” (Schmidt, n.d., p. 1). It will include measurable annual goals for children, progress reports, the Least Restrictive Environment statement, Transition services and activities, and much more. The first step in qualifying for an IEP is a comprehensive evaluation to see if the child has a disability that harms their education. If somebody or their child fits into these 13 categories someone may qualify for an IEP: Autism, Deaf-blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment (OHI), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Speech or Language Impairment (SLI), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Impairment (VI). IEPs are no longer valid after getting a high school diploma.

Most common learning disabilities

There are many different learning disabilities all affecting different skills: the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements. One of the most common learning disabilities is dyslexia: “about 80 percent of learning disorders are diagnosed as dyslexia,” (Newport Academy, 2017, p.1). Dyslexia is a LD that affects the ability to accurately read, write, and speak. People that have dyslexia also may have some coexisting learning disabilities: “It is estimated that 30% of those with dyslexia have coexisting AD/HD” (International Dyslexia Association, n.d., p.1). Dyslexia is considered an umbrella term and it holds many different learning disabilities under it.

Types of dyslexia

Dyslexia is known to many as a learning disability that affects most senses learning. In fact there are many learning disabilities under dyslexia. Some examples: Phonological Dyslexia, Rapid Naming Dyslexia, Double Deficit Dyslexia, Surface Dyslexia, Visual Dyslexia, Developmental Dyslexia, Acquired Dyslexia. These all affect different skills. Phonological Dyslexia is a type of dyslexia that affects their reading which hinders their language. While Developmental Dyslexia also affects reading, it is different because if you look at someone with developmental dyslexia, they seem to possess the intelligence, motivation, and schooling considered necessary for accurate and fluent reading.

Genders differences with ADHD

It can be harder to diagnose a learning disability with different genders. Girls have a harder time being diagnosed with things like ADHD: “For instance, girls who show only inattention are more likely to be viewed by teachers as simply not interested in the subject matter” (Haddad, 2020, p. 1). Boys are easier to see signs of ADHD in: “Also, in general, boys tend to draw more negative attention at school. And boys with ADHD tend to show more hyperactivity, impulsivity and physical aggression than girls with ADHD, which causes them to stand out, even among other boys”(Haddad, 2020, p. 1). The symptoms of ADHD are most commonly hyperactivity, excessive talking, excessive physical movement, and acting without thinking. There are many more things one needs to look out for if one thinks one may have ADHD. However, with those being the most common, there are different traits in each gender someone should look out for more than the others: “Meanwhile, girls with ADHD often have different symptoms, including anxiety, depression, daydreaming, and low self-esteem. 10 Hyperactivity in girls tends to show up as constant chattiness” (Haddad, 2020, p. 1).

Stigma with people and learning disabilities

Learning disabilities have a bad stigma around them. People may think that someone with learning disabilities is not smart or they’re slow, thinking that just because their brain works in different ways they can’t function properly and that they need special treatment just to make it in life. Someone with a learning disability is indeed given help in schools. The help they are given helps them learn coping mechanisms and how to go through tough situations that might seem easy to a neurotypical. Learning disabilities do not affect a person's intelligence: “Learning disabilities have nothing to do with how smart a person is. Rather, a person with a learning disability may just see, hear, or understand things differently” (Byrd, 2022, p.1). Just because people think and learn differently never means that someone without one is smarter.

Mental health with learning disabilities in and out of school

Kids with learning disabilities are often looked down upon making them think lower of themselves: “learning disability (LD) can be hard on teen self-esteem—and there are already plenty of challenges for teens” (Newport Academy, 2017, p.1). Kids in school already have a lot on their shoulders; needing to deal with other kids thinking they're dumb is a lot for them. Learning disabilities challenge kids more than just in the classroom: “Researchers have found that children and adolescents with learning disabilities have high rates of mental health and behavioral problems. Because, learning difficulties often result in low self-esteem, which is a root cause of depression, substance abuse, and other mental health issues” (p.1). Children's home lives aren't always good either: “Children with disabilities are at least three times more likely to be abused or neglected than their peers without disabilities,” (Bulletin For Professionals, 2018, P.1). Learning disabilities hinder people with them in many unwanted ways.

Conclusion

Education about learning disabilities is imperative and needed to understand anyone who may experience them. These people have learned to overcome and learn proper techniques on how to cope with both learning disabilities and the people who discriminate against them. Schools and parents had to learn how to teach and adequately accommodate those who need it, trying their best to help as much as possible. Learning more about LDs will help educate people that the only thing different about one that has a learning disability is their thought process, not their intelligence.

References

4 Special education laws and policies every teacher should know. (20200130T000000Z). Www.umassglobal.edu. https://www.umassglobal.edu/news-and-events/blog/special-education-laws

Corsetto, K. (2019, December 17). Understanding the differences between an IEP and a 504 plan. N2y. https://www.n2y.com/blog/iep-vs-504-plan/

Goetjen, B. (2021). Detecting learning disabilities: From the beginning to end of the special education proces: List of learning disabilities. Independently Published.

Haddad, D. (2014, June 23). Gender differences in learning disabilities. Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/gender-differences-in-learning-disabilities-2162942

Make your OWN dyslexia dash fundraising page! (n.d.). International Dyslexia Association. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from https://dyslexiaida.org/attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adhd-and-dyslexia/m

Teens and learning: The truth about learning disabilities. (2017, December 15). Newport Academy. https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/teen-learning-disabilities/

Zauderer, S. (n.d.). 41 learning disabilities statistics & prevalence. Crossrivertherapy.com. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/learning-disabilities-statistics

(N.d.). Childwelfare.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/focus.pdf