Having an accurate understanding of learning disabilities and how they
may impact the college experience, is an important first step toward a
successful postsecondary educational experience. Below are some "myths"
and the corresponding "truths" that you may find helpful.
| MYTH: |
Having a learning disability means
I have low overall intelligence. |
| TRUTH:
|
Learning disabilities affect individuals
at various levels of intellectual ability. LD does NOT refer to a
"global" problem, but rather reflects a severe discrepancy
between overall ability and specific area(s) of disability. |
|
| MYTH: |
College is too hard for students
with learning disabilities. |
| TRUTH:
|
Many students with learning disabilities
successfully complete the most challenging academic programs at the
best universities and professional schools. |
|
| MYTH: |
Because I have a learning disability,
college professors will give me easier assignments to complete. |
| TRUTH:
|
Students with learning disabilities
take the same courses and complete the same assignments as all students.
They may, however, use appropriate accommodations to "level
the playing field." |
|
| MYTH: |
If I use accommodations for my
learning disability, it will give me an unfair advantage over other
students. |
| TRUTH:
|
Accommodations only "level
the playing field." They do not provide an unfair advantage any
more than eyeglasses provide an unfair advantage for someone who has
poor visual acuity. |
|
| MYTH: |
Students with learning disabilities
don't have to work any harder than other students. |
| TRUTH:
|
Most students with learning disabilities
do have to work harder than the average student to achieve success.
However, the "silver lining" for those who are willing to
put in the extra effort is that being a hard worker is a highly-valued
characteristic in the work world. |
|
| MYTH: |
I will automatically get the same
modifications in college as I had in high school (such as having my
tests read to me). |
| TRUTH:
|
In college, your accommodations
will be based on your documented area(s) of disability. In high school,
sometimes other factors are considered that will not apply at the
college level. |
|
| MYTH: |
I will outgrow my learning disability. |
| TRUTH:
|
Learning disabilities are lifelong.
However, you can learn to use effective learning strategies that allow
you to use your strengths to compensate for your weaknesses. |
|
| MYTH: |
I have always had difficulty with
math and writing. . I can't learn these things. |
| TRUTH:
|
Just because these subjects have
been difficult for you, doesn't mean that there aren't different
approaches that would be effective for you. The willingness to try
new approaches has been one of the major reasons for the success experienced
by many LD college students. |
|
| MYTH: |
People with learning disabilities
are lazy. They just don't try hard enough. |
| TRUTH:
|
After repeated unsuccessful attempts,
an individual with a learning disability may feel it hurts less to
not try than it does to try and fail. The individual may feel s/he
has no control over what happens to her/him. This is called learned
helplessness. Small doses of success are the best antidote to
learned helplessness. It has nothing to do with laziness. |
|
