Learning Disability Week 2024

Courtesy Image for Social Media by MencapMencap for Learning Disabilities Week 2024

Learning Disability Week is every year in June. It begins in the third week of June to bring awareness of learning disabilities. There are many learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Language Processing Disorder, and Visual Perceptual Disabilities. Other learning disabilities are ADHD, Dyspraxia, and Written Expression Disorder. Yet, each learning disability needs to be diagnosed at school or college through a psychologist. 

 

Once the learning disability is diagnosed, it is necessary to get enough resources to understand it. In addition, getting a tutor, a therapist, and getting testing accommodations. Often at home, parents can make a study room or a study area without distractions for their child. Nevertheless, having a learning disability does not stop them from achieving and being successful at school. Also, as a parent it is necessary to learn how your child learns to help them read or understand mathematics.

 

It is recommended to follow suggestions from their teacher to understand the learning disability. Sometimes learning disabilities can be misunderstood. Other times they might be confused with other learning disabilities. For example, Dysgraphia and Dyslexia can be similar because of misspelled words. Yet, Dysgraphia makes it difficult to form letters and difficulty in spacing words. 

 

However, Dysgraphia and Dyslexia can occur together. Dysgraphia makes it tough to do handwriting clearly and to read it. Dyslexia also makes it difficult to form letters and words get crossed out multiple times in a row. Yet, one can improve handwriting skills by practicing and reducing stress. When there is too much stress, it can make a learning disability worse and more anxiety. 

 

Written Expression Disorder makes it tough to express oneself through writing. Dyspraxia is another learning disability that makes it difficult to do handwriting. It causes one to have a tough time holding a pencil or a pen. As well as affecting movement. However, getting bigger pencils and pens can help with handwriting. 

 

Dedicate some time to bring awareness of learning disabilities. Understanding the various learning disabilities can help you comprehend how your child learns. If you have a learning disability, get resources about the disability, and learn to reduce stress. Often when there is too much stress at work, you might feel uncomfortable handwriting notes. For example, if you have dyslexia, you might end up misspelling words, crossing out words, scribble, or get telephone numbers backwards on sticky notes. 

It is recommended to take a deep breath and exhale. Relax your hands if you feel nervous. Slow down when you are handwriting. Write everything down and write twice on paper before giving it to the receptionist or your boss. Check your spelling and verify the telephone numbers or type the note using spell check. 

Also do not be afraid to tell your boss that you have a learning disability. Tell them what the learning disability is and if you can have accommodations for it. The accommodations can be more time to complete your job tasks in a timely manner, a checklist, breaks, and modifying your training program for the job. If your boss still does not understand your learning disability, get a letter from your medical provider or from a psychologist that describes your learning disability. Additionally, get resources about your learning disability. 

 

By doing this you will reduce stress at your job. Having Dyslexia, ADHD, or another learning disability does not prevent you from being successful at school, at your job, or at home. However, it might make you feel frustrated and feel misunderstood when people do not understand learning disabilities. Yet, the more you read about your learning disability, it gets easier to explain it to someone who does not understand it. Additionally practice techniques to reduce stress, acknowledge your strengths, and be a voice for learning disabilities to give support to others. 

 

This year’s theme for Learning Disability Week is “Do You See Me.” You can participate by donating to the Learning Disabilities Foundation, Mencap, or a fundraising event for learning disabilities. Write about someone that has a learning disability and that inspires you on your social media. Use free infographics, free social media images, and sign a pledge to bring awareness of learning disabilities. Here are resources about learning disabilities week. 

 

Learning Disability Week:

https://www.mencap.org.uk/learningdisabilityweek

First 5 Learning Disability:

https://www.first5california.com/en-us/services/learning-disability-services/

* Courtesy Image from Mencap for Learning Disabilities Week 2024