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One of the toughest parts of having a learning disability is when others misunderstand my mind. I have people who think that they are not real, that I cannot learn, or that I need to try harder. Few people understand what one is and how it impacts my life. It is like having a mind that is misunderstood.
A common myth that people believe is that they are not real. When I tell people that I have one, they tell me that I do not look disabled. Learning Disabilities are not the types you can see, such as physical ones. Not every type of disability is visible, and just because you cannot see it does not mean that it does not exist. People often remark that when they say this, they are complimenting me. There is nothing wrong with having one that you can see or not see. It is not a horrible tragedy to have one.
Others often believe that learning disabilities are rare. In reality, they are very common. It's estimated that 1 in 5 people have one. You have most likely encountered a person with one and not even realized it.
Another common myth is that I am not able to read and have Dyslexia. I do not have Dyslexia, and can read fluently. Other than a slight reading comprehension difficlutly, I do well with reading. But other types of learning disabilities affect how a person moves, writes, does math, and processes language. It is not only a reading difficulty.
People also misunderstand my ability to learn. Many times, others hear the term learning disabled and think I cannot learn. I can learn most things. My brain learns and processes information differently. I may need more repetition, explicit directions, and information presented in an alternative way. I also need the support of having extra time on tests and to have things read aloud to me to let my brain process information. Despite many of these interventions, I can still struggle. I have often not done well on tests and have failed classes. I have also done well using them and have had many accomplishments.
I have also had others think that I can do anything with one, all I have to do is try. There are some things that I cannot do because of my disability, such as math. I have undergone many math remediation sessions, and I still only have a basic understanding of the subject. I am unable to read the face of a clock and often confuse my right with my left. This goes beyond someone, for that math is not their forte. I have a limited understanding of how numbers work.
I will always have others who think I am faking it and can do it. Others may think that I am unable to learn and underestimate me. I am not able to control the opinions and views of others. My brain is often misunderstood by others. I am finding ways to understand it and to be able to compensate.