Hey Rachel!

Hey everyone! Happy spring!

For school age students and their families, this is the time of year when school work gears up, and everyone starts preparing for end of the year projects and tests. Many of us, my self included, may become stressed and anxious about school, because we want to get good grades. Although many of us may feel overwhelmed at some points, for some students, the task almost feels impossible. This may be due to the fact that some students have a learning difference (or disability) that make it very challenging for them to be successful in school. For this column, I would like to focus on learning differences in children and how they may affect ones ability to develop academically. You may wonder why a column about adoption would focus on learning differences. Various research studies have shown that a significant number of adopted children have learning differences (See Tara’s column for more information). You may have noticed that I said learning difference NOT disability, and that is because children that are classified with a learning difference simply learn differently.  My adopted brother was diagnosed with a language based learning disability (difference) 2 ½ years ago. This is when I started to get interested in this field of study. When I first started researching learning differences, I found out that there are so many different variations. As I read about each one, a question kept popping up in the back of my mind. How do children who learn differently function in school? It may appear that all children approach school days in the same way;  however, my research and personal encounters with those with learning differences has shown me that the  school experience is very different for children who have a learning difference. Some children have learning differences that are so significant that it is difficult or impossible for them to succeed in a traditional classroom.

Do you or someone you know have difficulty reading?

Do you ever read something and then have no idea what you read?

Do you have tremendous difficulty with math? Is it sometimes hard to follow a conversation? Do you have trouble organizing your ideas or thoughts to write a paper? You may have heard that if you have reading problems you are considered Dyslexic or if you have math problems you have Dysgraphia. This is sometimes true but not always. There are a wide range of learning differences and sometimes a person can have more than one. Having a learning difference does not mean you are not smart. In fact, many people with a learning difference are very intelligent. Once a learning difference is identified, it is important that the school provide appropriate programs and services to help address the specific issues. Kids with learning differences can learn. They just need the right tools and guidance.

Children without the right strategies may not learn and may not be able to achieve their dreams because of it. It is not that children with learning differences do not want to learn. They do. But for some, wanting to learn is not enough.  A child should never feel like he or she is unable to succeed in school. All of our minds are unique. Some of us are great at some things and not so good at others. However, when something is easy, we typically don't pay any attention to it. When something is hard for us, we tend to spend all of our energy focusing on this instead of celebrating what we do well. Some things will always be a little harder for us to learn and some things a little easier. It is important to remember this.

In the past, children with learning differences may have been labeled as “dumb”. This is the farthest thing from the truth. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported that children with learning differences may be future leaders due to their unique problem-solving abilities. If you feel like you are struggling in school to the point where you do not want to go, or you know someone like this, talk to a parent, teacher, or school guidance counselor and get the help you deserve. There are many new programs, services, and strategies available today to help those with learning differences to learn to read, write, speak, and do math. Special schools are emerging that focus on kids with special learning issues. Children with learning differences have the ability to learn and be successful in their lives.

In case you were wondering, many famous people in history had learning differences. People such as Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Ludwig van Beethoven, Charles Schwab, and Tom Cruise, just to name a few. They had learning differences, but were successful in spite of the obstacles they faced and you can to. You just need to find the approach to learning that works for you – and remember, like Peter Senge said, “Many children struggle in schools... because the way they are being taught is incompatible with the way they learn”.