So … You’ve Been Diagnosed As Being “Learning Disabled”

You have just been diagnosed as learning disabled. Perhaps you are still in school and wondering what your friends will say. Maybe you are an adult who is used to compensating for your difficulties, and you are not entirely sure you want to change the status quo. No matter what your age or stage in life, you have suddenly been labeled and are no doubt dealing with questions and concerns.

The most important thing to remember is that the diagnosis of learning disabled in no way changes who and what you are. You are still the same person that you were yesterday, a person who happens to have a learning disability, not someone who is defined as learning disabled. Your learning disability has likely caused problems and concerns throughout your life, and now that it has been officially recognized you can take steps to minimize it’s impact.

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If you are still in school, you may worry that being learning disabled will isolate you from your friends. You may feel different and alone, and you are likely scared of being ostracized. You will hear many scary terms, from “neurological disorder” to “assistive technology equipment.” There may even be discussion about sending you to a special school or a special classroom within your school.

There is no need or reason to be afraid. If you have been diagnosed as learning disabled, then you have probably already been through the scariest part – the learning disability test. At this point, your parents, teachers, and other professionals simply want to do what is best for you. You are now and will always be in the best position to be your own advocate. It is important that you understand exactly which specific learning disability you have, what causes it, and most importantly, how to treat it. A learning disability cannot be cured but it can be managed. With successful management techniques, many people with learning disabilities go on to lead productive and successful adult lives.

A learning disability is a neurological disorder, which means that your brain is structured slightly differently from other people. This difference causes you to process certain types of information in unique ways. The nature of this difference depends on the specific learning disability that you have. You may have difficulty reading written words, or perhaps you have trouble with your handwriting. Whatever your difficulties, tools and techniques exist to help you manage them.

Assistive technology equipment is a set of tools that help you manage your specific learning disability. A piece of assistive technology equipment could be a colored highlighter that you use to help distinguish similar looking words on a page. Or it could be a computer program that recognizes your voice and converts it to text. If there is a piece of assistive technology equipment that makes you uncomfortable, then there is no need to use that tool.

Never forget that you are your own best advocate, so be sure to speak up for what you need. If you want to remain in a regular classroom then say so. If you want resource sessions with an understanding counselor who can teach you management techniques then ask for those sessions. Integrate your learning disability as a part of your life, but never become defined as “learning disabled.” Focus on your strengths and learn to manage your learning disability, and you will find a strong and successful future.