by Stefany Smith

Created on: January 17, 2009

Learning disabilities come in all shapes and sizes and affect families of every type. No one is immune, and everyone is susceptible. There are two stories I'd like to share with you; one of an IEP and the public school system, and the other of an ILJ and an understanding mother. If you are reading this you probably have a child suffering through school, and you don't know what you can do to help. Don't fret, because I'm here to tell you that there is hope!

Tommy's Troubles

He was a smart kid, he just couldn't read. When he became frustrated he acted out. This led his teacher to send him to the principal's office. When this action didn't return the result he was looking for, Tommy looked for new ways to get into trouble. Before long he was expelled. A new school was right around the corner, and this was a turn for the worse.

Here, Tommy met a speech therapist, a reading recovery counselor, a behavioral management counselor, and a learning disability advocate. He was "diagnosed" as LD (learning disabled), ADD, and dyslexic, and an IEP was prepared. He was told that his mind was dysfunctional, that he was different than his peers, that learning would always be hard for him. He was sent to "special" classes, where he goofed off on work designed for 2 grades younger. He learned how to act out in just the right amount so as he wouldn't get punished, but didn't have to complete the assignment.

It wasn't long before Tommy got bored with this whole arrangement. You guessed it, he became very disruptive; enough that the "special" classes weren't enough. When he got teased in the lunch line, he answered with his fist. When he was taunted on the bus, his tongue jerked in response. The school couldn't tolerate anymore, and neither could his parents. In 9th grade, Tommy was 16 and reading at a second grade level. His step-mother pulled him out.

She began working with him, taking the time to listen to him. It only took a few months before Tommy was reading, and enjoying it. His step-mother wished she had had the power to act sooner. However, the damage had already been done.

Taylor's Tantrums

She was a smart kid, she just couldn't read. When she became overwhelmed, she acted out. Her mom would scold her which led to fits of rage. Taylor would become completely unglued. Nothing would calm her, and everything exacerbated her. This became an everyday occurrence, and Taylor's mom thought it was time to give up. She was beating herself up, worrying that she had ruined her child's education.

But

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