| Learning Disabilities tend to stay for life. Remedial | | | | you. At the same time, it is important not to use the |
| teaching teaches children "coping skills" so that the | | | | learning disability as a crutch and to live life to its |
| child is able to function despite the learning disabilities. | | | | fullest and perform as best you can on the job |
| As a learning-disabled child grows, he becomes more | | | | despite the disability. |
| aware of his shortcomings and this causes frustration. | | | | Life with a learning disability is a challenge - but it is |
| Added to this is the fact that as children grow, they | | | | not a lost cause. As with a physical disability, one has |
| become less accepting. They look to form groups | | | | to learning coping skills to compensate for the lack of |
| with children who have the same abilities and | | | | physical ability - so it is with a learning disability. Given |
| themselves. They become more aware of | | | | below are some common coping skills that you can |
| "differences". | | | | use, if you have a learning disability: |
| With age come challenges that are more and more | | | | *Set up a routine in your life. It could be a daily |
| difficult to handle using coping mechanisms. Things | | | | routine from the time you wake up until the time |
| that normal adults take for granted have to be | | | | you go to sleep. Listing routine tasks and posting |
| carefully thought through. Getting emotionally involved | | | | them in a prominent position can be of immense help. |
| with another person and starting a relationship could | | | | Working according to a set schedule brings in a |
| be deadly for a learning-disabled person who is not | | | | routine that is a comfort zone for you. |
| able to cope with the uncertainties of emotions. | | | | *Avoid stressful situations. The additional stress of |
| Many a tragic story has been written and many a | | | | high emotions can make it more difficult for you as a |
| tragic movie has been made of learning-disabled | | | | learning-disabled person to cope with a situation. |
| people trying to make their way in the world. | | | | *Avoid noise and confusion. Surrounding noise, |
| Learning disabilities are varied in form and severity. | | | | confusion and tension make it difficult for a |
| They usually affect how a person thinks, talks, hears, | | | | learning-disabled person to concentrate on the task |
| reads and writes. These problems impact how you | | | | on hand. |
| process thoughts and perform tasks such as reading | | | | *Ensure you get adequate rest. People with learning |
| (dyslexia), mathematics (dyscalculia), writing | | | | disabilities find it more difficult to cope with routine |
| (dysgraphia), and so on. Since we use these skills | | | | tasks if they are tired. |
| everyday, you will have to find ways of coping with | | | | *In a prominent place, list all the emergency contact |
| daily tasks. | | | | numbers you may require. You should even carry |
| Learning disabilities, just like physical disabilities, call for | | | | these numbers with you at all times. |
| a lot of patience on your part. The difference lies in | | | | *Lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes proper rest |
| the fact that most physical disabilities are visible and | | | | schedules, eating healthy food and eating on time, |
| therefore obvious to the person as well as their | | | | abstaining for all mood altering substance and, getting |
| companions. Learning disabilities are subtle and can be | | | | sufficient exercise. |
| quite difficult for bosses and coworkers to pick up. | | | | A learning disability is a disability that you can cope |
| There are many moments of frustration that you will | | | | with, even in your professional life. It is a disability |
| need to be overcome. It is important to identify and | | | | that will allow you to lead an independent and |
| then assess the limits of your disability, especially as | | | | productive life. It is a surmountable problem. Be |
| you enter the workforce. | | | | aware of your problem, be informed about your |
| It is important for you to understand and recognize | | | | problem and then live life within the confines of your |
| the limitations that your learning disability imposes on | | | | problem. Live life to the fullest! |