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[02rguy72]

Greetings, Everyone......

About a year ago I posted regarding some troubles I had in a certain class. I received some great advice then and I’m hoping that the same will happen now.

Like I’ve said before, I apologize for posting here as a student. I’ve confessed to being a long time lurker, which, I believe, has made me a better student.

I am a 36 year old, nontraditional student attending classes at a local community college. I’ve been very successful at maintaining a respectable GPA, I work hard, show up for class, and have had, for the most part, a good experience so far.

However, this summer I’ve started taking classes outside of my major….specifically math and science courses. I’ve been starting to discover some things about how I learn that are causing me great concern. I fear that I may be somewhat dyslexic.

It started with the math course. I found that I was copying problems wrong from the board and from the textbook. I noticed that I was switching numbers around. For example, if the given number was 0012 I would copy it down as 2100 or some other variation. I use my fingers to count and do simple addition or subtraction problems. I can tell my own left from right but if someone is facing me, I cannot tell their left from right. My spelling is beyond horrible (I am using Dictionary.com and spellchecker on MS Word as I write this). I have also discovered that I tend to write or say things in a different way in order to avoid words I cannot spell or use in the correct context.

The funny thing is, I fell like I do pretty well at reading comprehension. I love to read. I tend to read books again and again and I always get something different out of it. It’s just numbers and sequences that confuse me. I’ve done some research online and found that there are a number of things that indicate I may possibly have some form of dyslexia: poor handwriting, grasping my pen or pencil in a fist-like fashion, phonetic spelling, trouble with copying from the board or textbook, poor motor skills (I always sucked at any kind of sport), excelling at music and arts, trouble with direction (left vs. right), excellent long-term memory, etc.

As I’ve mentioned, the math and science courses are what’s causing me the greatest concern. I keep getting answers wrong simply because I cannot copy the problem correctly. It’s also the poor spelling and grammar errors. It’s frustrating and I am wondering if there is something wrong with me. I am writing this in hopes that maybe professionals like you all can offer some suggestions on where I can go with this. I don’t feel like I’m dumb or unedicatable. I’m just hoping to get some advice that may be able to lead me in the right direction to fix the problems I’ve mentioned above.   

Thanks for reading this and for your time. Any advice would be appreciated.

[voxprincipalis]

Have you been tested? That's the first step. Many of the things you describe here are certainly typical of dyslexia (which doesn't necessarily look the same in every person), but you need to be tested by a professional before knowing how to proceed.

If you do turn out to have some degree of dyslexia, your school may (should) have some learning resources available. Try the disabilities office first.

VP

[kedves]

Yes, you need a test or series of tests given by someone who is expert in this area.  You've taken it as far as you can on your own.

[new_bus_prof]

The first step is to be tested, as VP mentioned. Your school's disability office will be able to recommend a specialist. As a student, you should know that the Disability Office will only be able to help you with classroom accommodations after an official diagnosis and registration with their office. The testing for dyslexia is not covered by medical insurance, so the cost will have to come out-of-pocket. The testing and evaluation can easily cost $5000, and there may be a few months before you can see the specialist.

You may want to contact your local Dyslexia Institute to see if they have recommendations for you.

If this really is disturbing you, you may want to take an online or informal assessment for adults.
amidyslexic.com or dyslexia.com are two sites that provide this service.
Not free, but are cheaper starting points.

[zuzu_]

Question: Are you failing math, or just struggling?

I ask, because it sounds like you have found some good coping mechanisms for your difficulties. If you find that formal testing is too expensive and impossible, perhaps you should just continue using the coping mechanisms that are working for you. While accomodations (extra time, etc.) will get you through college more easily, it is likely that they won't help you too much in the "real world." Also, keep in mind that in the vast majority of life/career situations, you WILL be able to rely on a calculator.

I have a close friend who, ironically, is a now Special Ed teacher. She struggled as a "C" student through undergrad, and once she went to grad school, she realized that she likely had mild dyslexia. Instead of going through all of the testing, she developed coping mechanisms. She wrote her papers early, and sought out help (usually from me) for extensive proofreading. (The content/logic/ideas in her papers was always excellent--she only stuggled with gross misspellings and typos.) Once, when she completed an in-class handwritten essay, one of her professors (who knew her well and had read all of her previous take-home, typed essays) was horrified and suggested she seek help from disabilities office. When my friend explained everything, the professor agreed that she was managing her problems quite well and should just keep up the good work.

[02rguy72]

Thanks so much for all your helpful replies.

Zuzu, no, I’m not failing math. In fact I have 97% average as of now. I’m very lucky to have a professor who knows how to teach and explain concepts well. The concepts are not the problem. Yesterday we had a test and it took me the full hour and a half to finish it simply because I was making stupid mistakes like copying the problem wrong onto the paper I had to turn in. So, I wound up doing each problem over and over again until I got a consistent answer. I was thinking that I may just have testing anxiety, but I have the same problem with homework assignments I do outside of the classroom. You can imagine that doing multiple checks for every problem is time consuming and frankly, embarrassing. I hate the fact that I’m 36 years old and I’m using my fingers to add up 6+8.

I checked out the school’s Disability Office’s website today and I found nothing mentioned about Dyslexia. My preliminary web search reveals that formal testing is cost prohibitive now. I’m really glad you mentioned coping mechanisms, Zuzu. Perhaps I should start looking for some better ways to deal with this rather than simply placing a name to it.

Thanks again!   

[zuzu_]

Thanks so much for all your helpful replies.

Zuzu, no, I’m not failing math. In fact I have 97% average as of now. I’m very lucky to have a professor who knows how to teach and explain concepts well. The concepts are not the problem. Yesterday we had a test and it took me the full hour and a half to finish it simply because I was making stupid mistakes like copying the problem wrong onto the paper I had to turn in. So, I wound up doing each problem over and over again until I got a consistent answer. I was thinking that I may just have testing anxiety, but I have the same problem with homework assignments I do outside of the classroom. You can imagine that doing multiple checks for every problem is time consuming and frankly, embarrassing. I hate the fact that I’m 36 years old and I’m using my fingers to add up 6+8.

I checked out the school’s Disability Office’s website today and I found nothing mentioned about Dyslexia. My preliminary web search reveals that formal testing is cost prohibitive now. I’m really glad you mentioned coping mechanisms, Zuzu. Perhaps I should start looking for some better ways to deal with this rather than simply placing a name to it.

Thanks again!   

You have a 97% average?? It doesn't sound like you need "better ways" to deal with this. It doesn't sound fun, but you just need to keep doing what you are doing.

My perhaps-dyslexic friend is now quite successful and well-respected in her field. But she still needs people to proofread stuff.