VISIONS
On Learning Differences

Vol. 2, No. 3 www.visionsonlearningdifferences.com - Information on Learning Differences Online Fall 2003
 

IN THIS ISSUE

Greetings and Good News

Effective Reading Instruction

Milestones And Breakthroughs: Understanding Learning Differences Research To Improve Teaching Methods

Types of Color Blindness: How They Affect Teaching and Learning

Improving Career Opportunities Despite a Learning Differnce

Book Review

Legislative Update

In Memoriam

Conference Information

About The Editor

Sharing Ideas

Permission to Copy from Visions on Learning Differences

Please see other issues

 

IMPROVING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES DESPITE A LEARNING DIFFERENCE

  by "Janet Renaldo"

For years, my family and teachers believed I was either incapable of learning or not trying hard enough, in fact, lazy. Despite their discouraging remarks, I persisted in elementary school and high school. I never realized I had any learning differences until I struggled to learn in college, far more than my peers who studied half as much as I did, yet, they learned twice as much in half the time that I had to spend in studies.

It was not always easy for me. I married right after I graduated from high school, and by the time I entered college, I was divorced with two children. I suspected I had a learning difference, and found that the writing and math centers in the college did not always address the issue of the cause of my learning struggle. I turned for assistance to a learning specialist, then was completely shocked to find that my reading fluency was on the college level, but my reading comprehension was on a third grade level in standardized tests. My spelling also was weak, and I confused letters within the word, either reading or spelling board for broad or trial for trail.

I was especially discouraged by these problems, since I planned to be a paralegal. I almost quit, but the learning specialist suggested I should use techniques for learning that are appropriate for those with a learning difference. Luckily, I followed her advice, and found that in two months my reading scores advanced by six years; I was reading on the ninth grade level in standardized testing. Most important, I no longer reversed the order of letters in a word either when I read or wrote. As a result, my reading, spelling, study and notetaking skills became more effective, and the time I spent on homework lessened dramatically, while my retention improved.

Then, I received the encouragement I least expected and appreciated most. My academic advisor informed me that, since my GPA was so high, I should set my sights even higher than being a paralegal and become an attorney. I would encourage anyone who struggles with a learning difference to persevere in finding the appropriate care in order to have a better life.

Janet Renaldo is the pseudonym of a student in pre-law studies in Maryland.