dYSlexiA

[dr-sanchez]

I dyslexia <3

[ionnsaigh]

lesse got it.

[ionnsaigh]

EMDEE, we share the same name initials by the way. Sorry if this appears to be too intrusive , if you find it so - then I apologise in advance.
Either you, or someone close has ADD/ADHD. If that is the case we share at least - a similar stigma. I went to your link interestingly enough, similar to Dyslexia sites. To be completely honest ,I had some idea of the generally perceived symptoms.
Then again I had the general public type view of Dyslexia. Certainly one that is grossly uninformed and alarmingly inaccurate of
the full scope of limitation - that these type of learning difficulties - ultimately bring. My whole family have - in some ways suffered from my Dyslexia.
However my main concern is - that by putting these conditions down - to a result of societies narrow perceptions of what constitutes normal behaviour - rather than any concrete scientific evaluation and identification of these conditions. In other words perhaps we do the condition a disservice - by refusing to except it - and in doing so - neutering public awareness would undoubtedly ensue. Just a thought .

[EMDEE]

AD(H)D

Same initials, sometimes different views!

A recent high profile revelation of someone with ADHD was Billy Connolly. He says that he was diagnosed recently, and that he felt that it was better than the previous diagnosis that he was stupid!

I question very much if Connolly could have done what he has done in his career if he did not have this condition. One aspect of it is that it removes inhibitions and the ability to “ “see oorsels as ithers see us”. Connolly can stand on a platform and talk about virtually any subject, apparently without any embarrassment whatsoever.

I myself have not been officially diagnosed with ADHD, but through problems we have had with the school, I and others, have come to the obvious conclusion that I have this condition. Both myself and my wife have had reason to find out quite a lot about this condition, and two doctors who we had occasion to consult through the school were of the opinion that I have ADHD. One of them said she could spot ADHD easily because it is in her own family. The other doctor in fact told me that I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have done in the musical field without ADHD.

This goes some way to explaining things to me. I too thought I was a bit stupid, and the whole way through primary school was consistently bottom of the class. Primary School was a complete waste of time. I can identify with what is known as “the class clown”, and with hindsight, I would probably say that others in the class probably had ADHD as well. I would never dream of mentioning names, as some might be forum members. I did recover a bit in CGS, and in the first term exams I had worked my way up to the position of 11th overall in the class, out of 30. The “period system” seemed to work better for me. To my mind this would fit in with the “attention deficit” aspect of the condition, in that the learning is segmented and structured.

In the end I managed to get 8 “O” Grades straight off, then my interest waned again and I only managed two Highers. I was two years out of school before I plucked up the courage to go into higher education, and because it was my own thought out decision, I managed to focus fairly well with academic and professional studies. Twenty nine years after leaving school I decided again to pursue academic studies, and started a course with the UHI Millennium Institute and recently graduated BSc (Hons) in Rural Development.

On analysing all of the above, I think that it is when I have made a conscious voluntary decision to do something that I have been able to cope with things in a better way. Strangely, ADHD can give a “single mindedness” with a project, and this is where this condition can be an asset. I can see this single mindedness in my own family, and their school careers have followed a very similar pattern to my own.

ADHD is a relatively new name for a condition that is as old as the human race. It did not exist when I was in school. Maybe I am not able to look at it objectively, but I don’t see it as a “disorder” as such, but merely a variation on the wide spectrum of what we could regard as coming under the definition of “normal”, if there is such a thing. It is such a common condition that I would suggest that it is not a disorder, but it is society that does not find it acceptable in certain situations, e.g. school.

A fairly long post, if I’ve managed to keep your attention till now, if not, maybe you’ve got Attention Deficit.

[Govangirl]

I work in a special school for high achieving pupils with dyslexia, specific learning difficulties, language problems and communication disorders (those on the autistic spectrum). They are bright, interesting children who are often labelled (bad idea to do all this labelling in the first place) as having a disorder. Many are on ritalin (the educational answer to ADHD) but they achieve good GCSE grades and many go on to university, colleges and good jobs. I am cynical, very cynical about ADHD. May I be so bold as to suggest that neither Emdee nor Ionnsaigh have either dyslexia or ADHD? You both simply have your talents in other areas. Emdee, your problem lies in the fact that your later academic prowess was not recognised in your Primary School - this is a tragedy I often come across. Something in your educational childhood damaged you enough to think you were stupid when that was clearly not the case. Your focus and clarity of thought would make me question your doctor's diagnosis but hey, I'm no medical expert. Ionnsaigh, it is the same with you as you are far too consistently language-literate to be what I call a true dyslexic. I feel your potential wasn't picked up either as a youngster. You may well have a specific difficulty, i.e. memory or concentration deficit but it has not inhibited your flair with words. Lastly, you hit it right on the head Emdee when you said about school not accepting certain conditions. This is true of boys who learn in a different way to girls and I sometimes visit schools that have diagnosed bright but fidgety, kinaesthetic and energetic boys as having ADHD instead of challenging them in a different direction.
This is merely my sad findings.

[ionnsaigh]

Emdee , Sometimes different views, always same initials.
Rural Development, now that sound interesting. I always thought I could plan the perfect town. Or is that something completely different.

[ionnsaigh]

Emdee, See how quickly my attention turns. Your reply deserves much better.

[EMDEE]

Rural Development, now that sound interesting. I always thought I could plan the perfect town. Or is that something completely different.

I won't say that it's got nothing to do with towns, but it is more about remote and country areas.

I think what you're looking for is Town Planning.

[EMDEE]

The mainstream education system does not have any sensible provision for pupils who have been diagnosed with ADHD. My experience of the local secondary school (not CGS by the way) is of total and utter ineptitude and lack of knowledge of the problem they are attempting to address.

It seems that they are quite happy to get "problem pupils" diagnosed with ADHD so that they can then be prescribed Ritalin, Concerta etc. in an effort to get them to conform to acceptable standards of behaviour. Schools should be about education, not drugging pupils up so that they fit in, and are not in their natural state.

This implies that they believe, or acknowledge the behaviour is caused by a medical problem, and yet they are not prepared to tolerate the manifestation of that percieved problem, i.e. the behaviour. I have sometimes thought that because these pupils appear to all intents and purposes the same as other "normal" pupils, the same sanctions apply to them as the others, although some of the behaviour may not be within their control. Sanctions against these pupils can be counter productive. If a pupil with for example, Downs Syndrome was to step out of line in a mainstream class, the school would have to take a more sympathetic and understanding view. What about Tourette's Syndrome? I don't know how that is dealt with in schools.

I don't see it as a medical problem. Although the behaviour can be modified by prescribed drugs, I would contend that this is not a reason to prescribe these drugs. Apart from anything else, this whole concept is so new that the long term effects of these drugs canot be predicted, and it could be that in years to come we will begin to see other problems caused by the widespread use of these drugs.The lawyers would then be rubbing their hands together.

As I stated earlier, I see ADHD as a variation on the spectrum of differences between indviduals, and it is only environmental factors that make it inappropriate in certain situations.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

Ionnsaigh, i apologize for going on about you using hyphons instead of commas. It all makes sense now. Well, why you write the way you do does, still not always sure about what you write.

[ionnsaigh]

No that's the problem - neither am I - sure of what I write - thanks for the apology - although no need - as I have tendency to drive people crazy. - - - - .

[ionnsaigh]

Emdee, " I see ADHD as a variation of differences between individuals, and it's only environmental factors that make it inappropriate in certain situation's ".

That is a very interesting way to view any condition. However difference occurs in two broad levels.
On one level it happens purely on mathematical terms - of quantity - more or less. The difference between a fat person - and a skinny one - can be explained in terms of numbers. Fat = more - Skinny = less.
On the other level things change in terms of quality. This appears a secondary change stemming from mere quantity. For example take - Water.
Water being the qualitative aspect - and Temperature - the latter - quantitative - the external environmental component.
Apply temperature either to add or subtract. By increasing temperature - the water will change in terms of quantity of heat. However if you don't take the kettle off the gas - then the water will eventually change in quality - Steam.
By decreasing the external factor it turns to Ice.
We have got to establish that Ice and Steam are directly incompatible with one another. In other words they are antagonistic - a universal contradiction found in all life. If your car engine was over heating - one would have to know - that a can of ice remover wont work. In order to fight cancer one has to recognise it first. Then place it on a personal list of priorities either by burying your head in the sand - or meeting it head on. The difference between a Baby and senior Citizen is both qualitative and quantitative.
You don't take a sick baby to a retirement home. Because this difference exists - and more importantly recognised. You could try making a pot of tea with luke warm water - by arguing or ignoring the fact of temperature - and concentrating on the water be it cold warm or hot.
I think that if one can be fairly satisfied with life accomplishments - one may be tempted to see the condition as being in some way minimal in affect. However if one was reasonably dissatisfied with the lack of accomplishment - then one might perceive the condition to be maximum in effect.
Hope you manage to wade your way through this. Hope you manage to see where I'm coming from .
The tap o the scrapheap - according tae wee nippy sweetie.

[EMDEE]

To put it more succinctly, my point is that the mainstream education system as it is at the moment seems to place the emphasis on medication as a "one size fits all" solution to this problem. It does not seem to matter whether it is the best solution.

[Govangirl]

The tap o the scrapheap - according tae wee nippy sweetie.

You have clearly misunderstood Wee Nippy Sweetie's intentions!!!!! If you're happy to be labelled, you go ahead. It's fashionable to have labels these days anyway. I'd probably pay hundreds at a therapist's just to walk away with a certificate that states I'm officially diagnosed as a wee nippy sweetie. I'm in debt to you, wee man!!!

[Govangirl]

To put it more succinctly, my point is that the mainstream education system as it is at the moment seems to place the emphasis on medication as a "one size fits all" solution to this problem. It does not seem to matter whether it is the best solution.

Exactly. It is an educational problem. I do lots of lectures on this and my main question to teachers is "If children can't learn the way you teach, can you teach the way they learn?" Because unfortunately, the education process is also a 'one size fits all'. In my school, we adopt a much more personalised approach and teach according to their needs. Mainstream schools must follow suit.