Doc Meek

Saturday, October 8, 2011. Today I am grateful for the many people who are helping children and adults with with learning differences (often called learning disabilities, which is not exactly how I see these learning challenges that can contain gifts). ~ Doc Meek

Image from: http://www.goodblogger.net/2011/09/11/learning-disabilities/

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From “LD Online”: The world’s leading website on Learning Disabilities and ADHD: http://www.ldonline.org/calendar/ld

Learning Disabilities Awareness [Learning Differences Awareness] Month (October)

Explore below for:

• Information on LD
• Fun Activities
• Inspirational Stories
• More About LD
• History and Future of LD Awareness Month

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month [October in CANADA and the USA] is a time where people pay particular attention to children and adults with learning disabilities [learning differences]. During this month, LD OnLine asks each of you to teach one person something new about learning disabilities [learning differences]. You could, for example, introduce them to our newsletter or share an interesting article using the “Email” icon (located in the top right corner of every page).

Information on Learning Disabilities [Learning Differences]

Read A Primer on Learning Disabilities to find out what a learning disability [learning difference] is, what the different types of learning disabilities [learning differences] are, and what causes them.

Read these short articles to learn more about the specific types of learning disabilities [learning differences]:

• Dyslexia (reading problems)
• Dysgraphia (writing problems)
• Dyscalculia (math problems)
• Executive Function Difficulties (problems with organization)
• ADHD (trouble regulating attention)

Our glossary defines the vocabulary of special education.

Our timeline tells the history of learning disabilities.

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Fun Activities

Send an e-card to a teacher. The school year has just begun and an e-card about how a teacher has helped your child should get the year off to a great start.

Read a children’s book aloud to a child you know.

Visit our kids’ art gallery. Encourage your child to draw or paint a picture and submit it here.

Visit Sparktop, a website where kids with learning disabilities (or who learn differently) can create things, play games, connect with other kids, and discover new ways to succeed in school …and life.

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Inspirational Stories

Here are some success stories about overcoming disabilities to give hope and inspire solutions for similar problems you may be experiencing:

• My Son’s Disability, and My Own Inability to See It

How the special education system helped her child

• A Physician’s Story

How a doctor overcame a non-verbal learning disability to pass her medical boards

• Why I Love Audio Books

A person with dyslexia explains why he loves “reading” audio books

• The Handicap that Had No Name

How learning about the label of “learning disabilities” helped a college student understand herself

• The Journey Begins

How planning skills helped a man succeed in college, and on the job, despite his learning disabilities

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More About Learning Disabilities

Our LD Topics section tells you how to help children learn math,writing and spelling, reading, and how to study. You also can find out about:

• Homeschooling
• Transitioning from School to Work
• Non-Verbal LD

Here are some other helpful articles:

• Parents: Help your child succeed with tips from Life Success for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Parent’s Guide.
• Teachers: Learn how to teach social skills to your difficult students in Teaching Social Skills to Kids Who Don’t Yet Have Them.

Subscribe to our free LD Online Monthly Newsletter and Daily NewsLine to receive up-to-date resources and headlines on learning disabilities.

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History and Future of LD Awareness Month

October was originally designated in the United States as LD Month in 1985 through a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. Learning Disabilities Association of Canada has celebrated an LD Month since 1987 and provides a toolkit to help you celebrate. For many years, learning disabilities organizations in the United States used the month to inform the public about learning disabilities through events and proclamations. LD Month is still commemorated in a few states. LD OnLine is considering a plan for public education in LD Month next year. Please contact us if you formally celebrated LD month this year, using “Positive side of LD” as your subject. We may feature your ideas next year.

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Thanks to all those who help children and adults with learning challenges!

Doc Meek, Sat, Oct 8, 2011, South Jordan, Utah, USA