www.visionsonlearningdifferences.com - Information on Learning Differences Online

Ever since I can remember, I have had trouble with math and math classes. When I was in first grade, it took me a year to learn to add +1's and +2's. My mother brought me to a learning specialist, but I had to leave when she had another child. I was able to return when I was in middle school.

By then, doctors had diagnosed an attention deficit disorder, and the medication they prescribed seemed to help me to focus more effectively at that time. I still had trouble with math, however, more than with any other subject. I could not remember math facts or terms easily. I had great difficulty adding and subtracting fractions, and keeping my numbers aligned whenever I wrote columns of figures such as double digit multiplication.

My mom and I realized I needed something more than just medicine. In fact, the medicine now did not seem to be that effective, and, after consultation, we discontinued the medication. Then, my mom brought me back to the same learning specialist. She found when she tested me that I had not progressed in math studies beyond the point I reached when I left years ago.

We began to "fill in the blanks". The learning specialist gave me some exercises to assist me in relearning my math facts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division tables. Then, we began to apply those facts to word problems. After a few months, she retested me. I was amazed to find that my math scores rose by several years over that short time span.

Next, I received acceptance into a prestigious high school. Although it was easy to apply and receive that acceptance because my grades were strong in middle school, once I began the demanding studies in this new and challenging environment, I barely made it through the first year in my math course. I had so many problems retaining or combining new material with that which I had learned.

In my sophomore year, the school required I take Algebra II at the same time I took Geometry I, and I almost failed out of school. I was ready to give up. My mother reminded me that, "There is always a way." Then, when the teachers told my mother they might not allow me to continue and that I would have to transfer to another school, my mother told me, "That is not an option." I did not want to have to transfer to another school and leave all of my friends, so my mother said we would become pro-active.

We began seeing the specialist more often, and that really helped. My grades began to improve and I was elated. I began to remember more of what I studied. I was able to be a better student in all subjects, and was even able to prepare for tests better than before. My study and work habits improved. For example, when I had to write an essay for my English class, I learned it was better to do the work as soon as possible so I could get it out of the way.

Gradually, I am becoming a more independent student. I advise everyone who needs help to find the help best suited for that person, and not to give into failure. Furthermore, I am not as worried as I was before, and am more like my friends in school who are getting good grades and preparing for college.

Alice Harford is the pseudonym of a 15 year old student overcoming years of with math