Common Myths about learning disabilities
myth: People with learning disabilities are not intelligent.
reality: Students who have learning disabilities are just as smart as any other student. Learning disabilities are not a determining factor of one's intelligence. Students with learning disabilities just learn differently than their classmates. IQ test have shows that such individuals are average or even above average in intelligence, but there is still a clear difference between their achievement and abilities. However, studies have proven that as much as 33% of students with learning disabilities are gifted. They can be considered gifted through their intellectual, artistic, and other various abilities (Fast).
myth: Individuals with learning disabilities are lazy.
reality: According to an article by Rebecca Fast, students with disabilities can forget their assignments, miss meetings, and make the same mistakes. The only difference is that the problems are due to how their brains interpret and process the information. Their learning disabilities often interfere with their learning so much more effort is required. These children try their hardest and their best to surpass the struggles.
myth: Learning disabilities can be out-grown.
reality: Symptoms of learning disabilities can first arise a early as kindergarten and first grade. An individual's learning disability will essentially follow them into adulthood. Sometimes the affects can worsen, but they can often improve if taken care of immediately. With the help of certain methods, techniques, and school accommodations, one can learn how to successfully deal with their disability. Since some learning disabilities cannot be cured, it is important to know how to manage it instead. Instead of focusing intently on finding a cure, perhaps learning to cope with the disorder instead is the best alternative. (Introduction to Learning Disabilities, 2006).
myth: People who have a learning disorder are at an advantage due to various accommodations.
reality: Some individuals may deem such accommodations as unfair. Younger students may not understand why their peer is receiving one one one assistance, having a teaching aid, getting extra time on assignments and test, or having the opportunity to use certain technologies. Some may even think it's "cheating." In reality, these methods of accommodation helps students with disabilities with their academics. In her article, Rebecca Fast claims them as "helping to 'level the playing field' for people with disabilities." This means that students with disabilities are able to participate in the same curriculum as students who are not disabled, this promoting equality (Fast).
myth: Males are most affected by learning disabilities than females are.
reality: It is true that four times as many boys than girls are diagnosed with a learning disorder. However, research shows that the females who were not recognized of having a learning disability are just as likely to have one. Learning disabilities may not be identified in or treated for females due to the introverted behavior that they commonly share. Females also hold the stereotype of not performing well under certain academic performances as well. As Fast explains in her article, there is evidence of "traditional ideas of gender based academic skills." Males, on the other hand, are more likely to expose their struggles as they express a more interactive, or extroverted, behavior (Fast).
reality: Students who have learning disabilities are just as smart as any other student. Learning disabilities are not a determining factor of one's intelligence. Students with learning disabilities just learn differently than their classmates. IQ test have shows that such individuals are average or even above average in intelligence, but there is still a clear difference between their achievement and abilities. However, studies have proven that as much as 33% of students with learning disabilities are gifted. They can be considered gifted through their intellectual, artistic, and other various abilities (Fast).
myth: Individuals with learning disabilities are lazy.
reality: According to an article by Rebecca Fast, students with disabilities can forget their assignments, miss meetings, and make the same mistakes. The only difference is that the problems are due to how their brains interpret and process the information. Their learning disabilities often interfere with their learning so much more effort is required. These children try their hardest and their best to surpass the struggles.
myth: Learning disabilities can be out-grown.
reality: Symptoms of learning disabilities can first arise a early as kindergarten and first grade. An individual's learning disability will essentially follow them into adulthood. Sometimes the affects can worsen, but they can often improve if taken care of immediately. With the help of certain methods, techniques, and school accommodations, one can learn how to successfully deal with their disability. Since some learning disabilities cannot be cured, it is important to know how to manage it instead. Instead of focusing intently on finding a cure, perhaps learning to cope with the disorder instead is the best alternative. (Introduction to Learning Disabilities, 2006).
myth: People who have a learning disorder are at an advantage due to various accommodations.
reality: Some individuals may deem such accommodations as unfair. Younger students may not understand why their peer is receiving one one one assistance, having a teaching aid, getting extra time on assignments and test, or having the opportunity to use certain technologies. Some may even think it's "cheating." In reality, these methods of accommodation helps students with disabilities with their academics. In her article, Rebecca Fast claims them as "helping to 'level the playing field' for people with disabilities." This means that students with disabilities are able to participate in the same curriculum as students who are not disabled, this promoting equality (Fast).
myth: Males are most affected by learning disabilities than females are.
reality: It is true that four times as many boys than girls are diagnosed with a learning disorder. However, research shows that the females who were not recognized of having a learning disability are just as likely to have one. Learning disabilities may not be identified in or treated for females due to the introverted behavior that they commonly share. Females also hold the stereotype of not performing well under certain academic performances as well. As Fast explains in her article, there is evidence of "traditional ideas of gender based academic skills." Males, on the other hand, are more likely to expose their struggles as they express a more interactive, or extroverted, behavior (Fast).