Late learning difficulty

LegacyUser

Hi,

I have been struggling with learning for almost all my life, but its never been properly assessed, i would like to get an official diagnosis as I am finding it hard to deal with my career as it involves continuous learning, im in IT and technology!! im in such a mess.. Is there a group in the Dublin area that can help.

summerwine

Hi there,

I've had learning difficulties all my life (27). Thought I'd give my pennies worth!
To be honest, I wouldn't go down the path of getting diagnosed cause alot of companies don't generally like things like that being written on an application form. Secondly, I found it gave me an excuse in my life to fail exams etc....

What I would suggest is that you find what your weekness is... writing essays, numbers, comprahending what your notes are telling you. You can talk to your teacher about it and see if there is any support for you in the college you are in. You can get grinds which is what I reccomend to do. It doesn't matter who it is as long as they are patient people and they are able to explain things in a very simple way. Alternativley, I made a group for people with learning difficulties in my course. You may be surprised the amount of people in a similar situation to you!!!!

I had to work twice as hard as others to get my degree and almost flunked out twice but got there in the end!!! Something clicked in my final year due to much perserverence!!!

Good luck!!!

spurious

Almost all VEC schools in Dublin have an Adult Education person who will be able to help you with this. Drop in and see one of them.

What kind of learning difficulty? If you dont mind me asking.

Evil Phil

You could try the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. They do diagnosis and were formally the Adults and Children with Learning Disablities Assocation IIRC.

Your problems are not uncommon (particularly in I.T. for some strange reason) and are easily dealt with.

pete4130

If the LD (learning difficulty) is something like dyslexia, then getting it diagnosed is important, so you have peace of mind as to what exactly is hindering your learning. My dad is dyslexic and grew up in the 60's/70's and was told his IQ was in the mid 60's back then (which is obviously isn't seeing as 69 is the IQ where you are regarded as being autistic, which he clearly isn't).
MY dad went back to college (DIT) a few years ago and got himself assessed and was able to get extra tuition etc...

A friend struggled throughout school, told she was stupid and would never amount to anything (the usual things teachers say to kids that don't appear to be making an effort for whatever reasons). She only got diagnosed at 24/25 in her final year or her nursing degree that she was dyslexic (the ironic thing being she was studying to be a learning disabilities nurse). It was somewhat a shock to her but a relief as it put her mind at rest and explained the years of frustration she had with learning.

I'm sorry I cant offer advice as such, all I can offer is some understanding and support and tell you that you should check if you are dyslexic for peace of mind for yourself and go from there.