Learning differences: How about a new CC forum devoted to students with LD issues?

[AnonyMom]

I have deeply appreciated many of the threads dealing with LD students. There seem to be many parents and educators on CC who are very knowledgable in this area, and many more, myself included, who would benefit tremendously from having a place on CC dedicated to discussing LD students, their lives in high school, and the unique issues they face in the standardized testing and college admissions process.

Whenever LD threads are presented, there seems to be a lot of interest, and I think it would be most useful to have a special place to go on CC, and an archive to refer back to.

So many tidbits of info emerge in the LD threads that I often want to branch off on a related tangent, but don't want to hijack the thread. For example, I'm still reeling about OrangeBlossom's LD child who was denied accomodation by ETS because he is in an umbrella homeschool program. (ETS accomodation knowledge, anyone? Has anyone mounted legal challenges? Was there an appeal process?) Grateful to tsdad who has shared that his S, who is in a very competitive film program, also receives extended time on testing at his university. (Did you reveal the LD in applying? Do you know which schools with excellent film programs also support LD students?) Awed by emeraldkitty's willingness to share her own experiences and those of her daughter, who has had such success at Reed. Thankful for epiphany's most recent LD-related thread altogether.

I find CC especially helpful for sharing info in general, but in the case of LD, a semi-anonymous internet forum is particularly liberating sinced there are no fears about labeling or stigmatizing one's child. (I actually wish parents of LD kids at our school were organized in some way so that we could share info, but unfortunately the subject seems to be somewhat taboo. And this is another issue...)

It would be great to have a dedicated place for LD students and parents on CC which -- as with the recent addition of the music majors forum -- would encourage the ongoing sharing of information and building of community.

What do you think?

[MrsP]

I would like to see that, if ADD is considered an LD.

[bearsfolife]

some say ADD is not a sickness....

I myself can sometimes act ADD, not often, but I have those times where I just go crazy for like 5 or 10 mins.

But I do not have an ADD disorder.

I believe it can be controlled. But maybe I am incorrect.

[epiphany]

I have so wanted an LD forum, & for so long. That one could have subforums of Admissions, Search & Selection, SAT/ACT, and College Life. Those are 4 very key areas with respect to the LD college hopeful. I would also be supportive of it for the reason that I think it would attract a great deal of dialogue between students and parents within that forum -- more so now than on the current choices.

To the OP, thank you for suggesting this. I didn't previously myself because I thought it would be viewed as too minor a need, but judging from the LD "traffic" on various forums/fora, I think it would facilitate & reduce the searching.

[PVmember]

An LD forum is needed! A section on getting accommodations in college is important.

Whoever asked about ADD or ADHD, those are considered to be learning disabilities per the DSM IV. They are not diseases. That is incorrect. They are disorders that can affect one's ability to perform in school. Some types of ADD can be controlled with behavior techniques or medications.

[Cami215]

This would be enormously helpful to our family. My daughter is dealing with both ADHD and various learning disabilities. She will be entering 8th grade next year, and I can see that her college search (when we eventually get there) is going to raise some unique issues.

A forum like this would be extremely helpful.

[pyewacket]

Many kids with various LDs manage college successfully--sharing these experiences would be a very good idea.

[driver]

A Good Idea.

[MagsMom]

ADD/ADHD is not considered a learning disability - however, it is recognized under the ADA as a learning problem so kids with ADD/ADHD qualify for IEP and accommodations.

I think an LD forum would be a great idea.

[driver]

ADD/ADHD is not considered a learning disability

According to whom?

[OrangeBlossom]

I would like to see ADD/ADHD be a part of a combined LD-ADHD forum, since both are disabling and both require special planning and accommodations in college.

[momofthreeboys]

I agree that a forum would be great. My youngest is a high IQ dyslexic. I thought something was odd about him when he was 4. When he was 5 my mother whose masters concentration was in exceptional children told me she thought there was something "wrong" with this boy. My girlfriend who is an elementary guidance counselor pushed and pushed the school principal and school psychologist to test my son, even though 5 was considered young to test in our school system. Fortunately he was tested and he's adapted very well. Ironically in retrospect everything strange about him were classic to dyslexics, I just didn't want to believe it. He has no other "issues" other than the dyslexia and he is so very bright and enthusiastic and downright driven about learning. Traits I wish his older brothers had more of. His worse personality characteristic is that he measures himself every year against the brightest kid in his grade. I'm very concerned what will happen when he's ready for college and I'm concerned our small school system won't be able to help me find the right spot for him. A forum would be much appreciated.

[MagsMom]

Driver -
According to DSM-IV
Learning Disabilities are coded as 315s - include reading, mathematics, written expresssion and not otherwise specified and ADD and variations are coded as 314s

Of course there are many different opinions about this - and alot of people with ADD/ADHD might have overlapping LDs - in the strictest sense it is not recognized as a learning disability.

I suppose the thought is that once the ADD/ADHD is addressed and treated (although this never happens for some) the person is able to learn - with learning disabilities like dyslexia - the person does not really "get over" the dyslexia nor do they receive "treatment" - they do learn skills to adapt.

That was my understanding - and just to be clear - I fully and completely support and believe that ADD/ADHD is a medically diagnostic condition and believe that medication works wonders -

[mkm56]

ADD is classified as OHI (other health impaired). At least that was what I was told when S was tested. He also is classified as LD with an auditory processing disorder. A significant number of ADD students will also have an LD component to deal with also. I also think a forum would be great. When S was diagnosed this year I found a couple ADD forums online but they were not very active. The group of people that frequent this board would be a wealth of information.

[NRL07]

I came out of lurking to talk about this. Please give us a separate forum.

A student with ADD can be given an IEP, although there are usually other LDs found with it. I also have an LD S.