Where Knowledge Rules

Home:

Education

Get a Widget for this title

Understanding adult learning disabilities

by Jon Coe

  • Writing Level Star

In my parent's school days, which would be back in the 1930's; Learning disabilities were practically unheard of! I have heard the horror stories, first hand; If you were left handed, for example, the teacher would tie your left hand behind your back!

In my parent's school days, if you didn't follow instruction and pay attention, then you were either caned or you had your knuckles rapped with a ruler; Learning curves were completely unheard of, not to mention dyslexia and the Attention Deficit Syndromes.

When I was a child, back in the 1960's, the educational system had advanced somewhat; Children were separated into four learning groups and each group learned at a different speed. However, those groups often consisted of forty or more children and there was no special consideration, for the pupils with learning disorders. If you grasped what was going on in the classroom, then it was great! But, poor little Jane and John, who had focusing issues, were left behind in a cloud of books and confusion.

In the span of thirty or so years, from my parents generation to mine; The learning problems prevailed! Children were unleashed from the umbrella of the educational system and cast into society, to fend for themselves.

When I was in school, I had certain learning blockages. I could remember and point out things that would astound my peers, but little attention was paid to fact that I had problems concentrating on my hand writing and my reading.

Nowadays, if your child has even a slight lisp, a speech therapist is called to the school right away and your child will undergo several therapy sessions before the problem is considered to be corrected! Nowadays, it seems that there are disorders that were unheard of in the school system, thirty years ago; Or at least, those disorders are addressed more frequently in our modern day society.

When you buy a computer for your parents, don't be surprised if they are unable to grasp the basic email functions. Don't be surprised if, what is simple to you, is a nightmare to them.

For myself; I cannot change a spark plug until I see someone else do it first. If you gave me a book on Basic toilet problems and how to fix them', I'd probably throw it away and find out the hard way!

When an adult has existed for most of their life with a learning disability, it is often worth while investing in the extra time in finding out a way how to help them find their learning curve.

Our kids often find that we are stupid because we cannot grasp the basics


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Understanding adult learning disabilities

  • 1 of 5

    by Rachelle de Bretagne

    The purpose of writing this article is that it may act as a guide to those wishing to teach language to adult students of

    read more

  • 2 of 5

    by Mary Grundy

    As a former adult educator and current special education teacher, I have a general understanding of adult learning disabilities

    read more

  • 3 of 5

    by Simonne Liberty

    My love of reading led to my love of writing at an early age. However , due to my struggles with Dyslexia in math, called

    read more

  • 4 of 5

    by Jon Coe

    In my parent's school days, which would be back in the 1930's; Learning disabilities were practically unheard of! I have

    read more

  • 5 of 5

    by J.B. Blend

    Accepting the fact that adult has learning disabilities is one way of getting into them. Adults abilities will vary from

    read more

Add your voice

Know something about Understanding adult learning disabilities?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Should the school year be lengthened?

Click for your side.

133415

Featured Partner

Enclave

Enclave is a church in Turlock, California that is exploring what it means to follow Jesus in a rapidly changing cult...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA