Learning Disability Simulation

On Monday nite Jim and I went to a learning disability simulation seminar. The purpose is to have the attendees have an experience of what it feels like to have a learning disability of the following kind:

* dyslexia
* hearing
* small motor skills
* attention
* tracking

We did things like:

Trying to read a story that was written with symbols instead of words, trying to write numbers and trace pictures while looking in a mirror, taking spelling tests when you could barely hear the guy saying the words and there was noise in the background, reading a story that was written backwards, so you could not distinguish a "b", from a "d" or "p" from "q" and "g". While you are doing all these exercises there are "teachers" walking around the room talking and saying things like:

* You need to hurry up
* Sound it out
* Don't forget to put your name on the paper
* If you can't get this you will have to stay in at recess
* The bluebird group is moving much faster than your group
* Looks like you need extra help
* Your brother caught onto this way quicker than you

After each exercise we debriefed the experience. Everyone used words like: stressed, overwhelmed, sad, defeated, tense... And after each exercise we felt exhausted and each exercise was only 8 minutes!

Imagine being a kid who has a learning disability and experiencing this ALL DAY in school. It has got to be exhausting.

Gracie came with us and watched the whole event - which was very powerful for her.

We were the only parents in the class -- There was about 40 students from the local colleges that were teaching students and counselling students.

At the end of the session, one of the professors asked Gracie if she would be willing to say a few words about how she has accommodated for the troubles she has. And GOD BLESS her, it was one of my proudest moments as a mom, she spoke loud and clear and told all these people about what she does to deal with dyslexia. It had to be so empowering for her. And I was so proud!!!!

Both Jim and I came away with a better feeling of what she deals with everyday. Although I admitted to her that although it gives me a much better feeling of how she feels, there is no way I will ever know exactly what it is like for her.

She is an amazing kid and part of what makes her amazing is her dyslexia.