Any other learning disabled students out there?

ldh, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2006

Hi there, I'm just curious as to who else is out there with learning disabilities. I was not diagnosed until I was in my late twenties and will be starting my nursing program in January. I've done pretty well on my pre-reqs over the last couple of year. However, I know nursing school is the real deal and am nervous about it. My hardest semester so far was taking pharmacology, microbiology, and physiology all at the same time. It was extremely challenging and I thought I would loose it at times. Especially since I read about 10x slower than the average student. Thank goodness for my accomodations. Any stories or advice from other learning disabled students out there?

Hi - I have a disability (physical) and I'm in my senior year of nursing. The one thing that I've learned is that your faculty and instructors may be more understanding of you than you think. I suffered the first 3 years in silence, and then I started letting my instructors and faculty know about my condition, and they were able to make special allowances for me such as extensions on papers or the odd day off of clinical. You will need as much support as you possibly can get. You say that you have accommodations already - so it seems that you are off to a great start. The other thing that I have learned is not to constantly compare myself with other classmates - because I have come to the realization that I cannot do many of the things that normal, healthy, young people can do - basically measure your own success by competing only with yourself.

puggymae · Nov 26, 2006

If you took Pharmacology, micro, and physiology all at the same time with a reading disability then you are doing great. My advice is to let the faculty know the first day of class, ask for clarification immediately of things that you do not understand, do not get behind - actually this would apply to all students. Good luck.

jschut, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2006

I also have a learning disability.

I have difficulty with memory and "slowing down" enough to comprehend material I am reading.

I take Strattera to help, and sometimes it does, and sometimes not.

I have to have quiet to study, and to read. And I absolutely MUST write down ALL appointments and assignments to follow religiously.

Best of luck to you and I am sure you'll do fine....

RMT2RN · Dec 1, 2006

It's alway nice to hear other people's stories. I give each professor an official copy of my accomodations at the beginning of the semester. Some have been very helpful and some only comply with them because they are required to by law. I have certainly gotten some attitude from a couple of my professors. I think they somehow think I am taking an easy out because I can request not to have more than one test on the same day and I can get an occaisional extension on assignments. This isn't because I'm not working just as hard or harder, it just means my brain needs more time to process the information. The very few times I have asked for an extension it has allowed me to learn the information better rather than receiving a bad grade and moving on without having a firm grasp of the material. I think that the better understanding I have of the information the better nurse I will be. There are a lot of misconceptions about learning disabilities. People are alway shocked when I tell them that I work with the Student with Disabilities office for learnign disabilities. They always say "but you are so smart!" Like it means I'm retarded or something. Anyway, Just a few more weeks before I start the nursing program. I am very nervous and very excited.

lauries sister · Dec 1, 2006

Hi This is Flo, Here is a valuable resource to use and pass on to others,Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. XXXXX You can get any text book on CD and they provide a free special CD player with membership. All materials can be borrowed for up to 1 year. I do not retain what I read. I am an audio lerner and this helps me so much!!! wishing you abundance of love and a great education. Warmest regards, FLO PS. you will find this site on-line!

funsizedliv · Dec 6, 2006

It's alway nice to hear other people's stories. I give each professor an official copy of my accomodations at the beginning of the semester. Some have been very helpful and some only comply with them because they are required to by law. I have certainly gotten some attitude from a couple of my professors. I think they somehow think I am taking an easy out because I can request not to have more than one test on the same day and I can get an occaisional extension on assignments. This isn't because I'm not working just as hard or harder, it just means my brain needs more time to process the information. The very few times I have asked for an extension it has allowed me to learn the information better rather than receiving a bad grade and moving on without having a firm grasp of the material. I think that the better understanding I have of the information the better nurse I will be. There are a lot of misconceptions about learning disabilities. People are alway shocked when I tell them that I work with the Student with Disabilities office for learnign disabilities. They always say "but you are so smart!" Like it means I'm retarded or something. Anyway, Just a few more weeks before I start the nursing program. I am very nervous and very excited.

When I went to my schools disability center, they told me that they could not allow me to have extensions on assignments or anything related to testing. They said that would not be appropriate in the college setting. I have been so discouraged because it is like they're just trying to make things more difficult for me.

RMT2RN · Dec 6, 2006

:angryfire That is so frustrating! Have you talked to more than one person? Is there more than on campus at your school? I'm only asking because I was told by a different counselor at my new campus that he would not be able to give me some of the accomodations I've gotten in the past. I went back to the old campus (where I did my pre-reqs) and had my old counselor help me. He was as frustrated as me. I'm assuming you have an official diagnosis. Is it just some accomodations they are unwilling to give you? JERKS!!!