Learning My Way Im a Winner!

I wonder if other kids think much about how they learn. I know I do. But, I have to. It usually takes me longer to learn than others in my class, because I am learning disabled.My Grandpa John, who lives with us, doesnt understand my learning problems. He always says, Dan Peters, I think youre the smartest, quickest kid ever. Dont you forget it!

Vocabulary WordsResource teacher- a teacher (usually certified in special education) to assist students with disabilities in a specialized setting .

Attitude- a feeling regarding a person or thing.

Depressed- sad/gloomy below the norm.

Occupational therapy (OT)- therapy to improve an individuals social/emotional well-being. Therapists encourage participation in activities despite an individuals disability.

Physical Therapy (PT)- treatment or management of a physical disability.Go BackGo BackGo BackGo BackVocabulary WordsSpecial education- modified education to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Gifted- an individual who has intellectual ability higher than average.

Compensate- the use of other methods to work around a situation to get what an individual wants.

Go BackGo BackGo BackMy mom says that Grandpa exaggerates. She agrees that Im quick, but she says that I have too much energy. Mom calls me her jumping jack. I do seem to have trouble sitting still and paying attention, especially in school.

Even though Grandpa exaggerates, its okay with me. I feel good when Im with Grandpanot shy or embarrassed. But I get embarrassed easily with other people. My ears feel hot, and I cant remember the words I want to use. At school, Im extra shy. Sometimes I feel nervous inside because I know I learn differently than most kids do.

School has always been tough for me. At first, no one knew why I was having trouble. First grade was hard, but second grade was harder. Nothing I did was right. I didnt know some of the alphabetmany of the letters looked alike to me. I write with my left hand, and I kept getting mixed up on how to pledge the flag.

Everyone but Grandpa seemed mad at me. The teacher said, Dan, you are not trying. Mom kept telling me, Try harder. You can do better. Quit acting like a space cadet.

Third grade wasnt any better. I stayed in third grade for two years. I still couldnt read, but I was able to make the kids laugh when I acted silly. My teacher said that my behavior was inappropriate. She finally called Mom. Mom told me to shape up and grounded me for a week.

Fourth grade was the worst yet. I hated school. Before long, I had a stomachache every morning. I started telling Mom that I was too sick to go to school.

Enough of this, Mom said. Youre a strong, healthy boy and shouldnt be having stomach trouble. Besides, you never seem to be sick on the weekends. Im taking you to Dr. McBride for a checkup.

Dr. McBride looked me over carefully. He even checked my eyes and ears. Then he said, Your eyes and ears are fine, and I can find no reason for your stomachaches. Your body seems healthy. These stomachaches could be cause by stress and pressure. Stress and pressure are what you feel when youre worried, nervous, or excited. Then Dr. McBride asked, How are things going at home and at school, Dan?

His question surprised me. I said, School work is too hard. The teacher doesnt like me, and Mom is always nagging me a bout my bad grades.

Dr. McBride asked a few more questions about school. Then he asked Mom to come in. He said to her, Dans stomach problems may come from being nervous about school. I think you should meet with Dans teacher and the school principal. Dan says school is very hard for him. He may have a learning problem.

When we got home, Mom called school. A few days later she went to see my teacher, Mr. Rand, and Mr. Becker, my principal.

After her meeting at school, Mom said that I would be seeing the school psychologist, Mrs. Cason. She explained, a school psychologist is a person who works like a detective. She helps figure out why kids have problems. You have always had some problems at school. Mrs. Cason will help us find out why.

Three weeks later I went to see Mrs. Cason. I didnt know what she would ask me to do. My stomach hurt, and I started to cry in her office.Mrs. Carson told me she understood. She said, Please dont worry, Dan. We know school has always been hard for you. Lets find out how you can learn best. Im going to give you some tests, but it wont be like taking tests in your classroom. Some kids even think its fun!

Before I knew it, the testing was finished. It wasnt too bad, just like Mrs. Cason promised. She said, Thanks for working so hard. I know you did your best. Ill talk to your mom soon and share what youve done with her.

Mom went to school to talk with Mrs. Cason. Mrs. Cason had found some reasons for my trouble at school. She explained what they were to Mom and gave her some information to read.

No one knows what caused your learning problem. It could have happened before you were born or at the time of your birth. Its not like a sicknessyou didnt catch itbut lots of times more than one person in a family may have a learning disability.

Even though Mom said I was smart, I still felt dumb. I said, I have a dumb brain. Why cant I be smart like my brother and sister are?Mom hugged me and said, Im sorry you feel bad about yourself. Your brain is not dumb. It handles its information differently, and thats the reason for your learning difference. Now your teachers and I can figure out new ways to help you learn. This should make things better for you.

Mom was right. Things began to get better. She helped, and everyone at school did, too. A learning plan was written for me. It was an Individualized Education Plan (I.E.P.), and it would help make my learning easier.

In my I.E.P., my teachers and Mom set long-term and short-term goals. (Goals were things we would work for.) My long-term goals are to learn to read and spell and to control my hyperactivity. The short-term goals were the things I would do every day to help me reach my long-term goals. The I.E.P. also listed books, learning materials, and activities that I would use in my lessons.

My resource teacher, Mrs. Gates, says that I need to work extra hard if I want to learn. I do want to learn, and I choose to work hard. Sometimes I miss out on special activities because I study so much. When this happens, I feel as if I dont belong.

Mom can usually tell when Im feeling bad. She says, Dan, the way you feel about yourself is important. When you feel good about yourself, you can do better at everything.

I sometimes feel bad when I compare myself to my classmates. Besides learning differently than they do, I learn many things at a slower speed. At other times, I remember the things that I am good at.

My strengths are music and art. Mr. King, my music teacher, says that I have good rhythm. I couldnt read all the words in my music book, though. Mom helped solve that problem. Now I have a music book at home. My sister, Pat, helps me read and practice the words to the songs. I used to pretend that I was singing by moving my mouth. Now I really do sing!

In art I can use my imagination. I like working with clay. In a school art show, I won a gold ribbon for a pot I made. Mr. Rand calls me creative.

Its nice to know that Im good at certain things. When I am successful, I feel proud of myself.Im not always successful. Certain things are tough, no matter how hard I try. Mom tells me, For every person, some things are harder than others. These are weaknesses. Everyone has them and has to learn to cope with them.

I think that I have more weaknesses than most people. Not only are reading and spelling hard, but sometimes I feel like a real klutz. It took me extra time to learn how to ride my bike, and I still cant skateboard. Most eleven year olds can. I trip easily and seem to run into things a lot. Thank goodness I can play soccer pretty well!

Grandpa is a help then. He says, Only losers quit. A person who keep trying is always a winner.My learning problem pops up everywhere. Scouting is a good example. I love camping and outdoor activities, but I cant read the scout handbook by myself. Because of this, its harder for me to earn badges. Ken, my older brother, helps me out. He was a scout, so he can explain the handbook and work with me on my badges.

People try to help me by talking about my strengths, but sometimes its hard to be different.Once in a wile I still feel nervous at school. Sometimes the bigger kids act like bullies. They call me names and make fun of me because I go to my resource class. They dont understand how my special class helps me. Its quiet, and I always know what is expected. I feel smart in my resource class.

Having two classrooms and two teachers is sometimes a problem. Mr. Rands room is my homeroom. I spend a part of my day there, and I like it. At first, when I would come back from the resource room, I felt strange. It was hard to figure out what the rest of the kids were doing. Mr. Rand solved that problemhe gave me a buddy who let me know what was happening.

It makes me feel better to know that Im not the only one who leaves the classroom for special help.

Grandpa helps me when he reminds me, Just remember, Pat isnt much of an artist, but you are. We all have special talents.

Compensating is a way that I can cope with my learning problems and reach my goals.

When I dont reach my goals, I sometimes get upset with myself, but I try not to get discouraged. My life is mostly positive and good. I have a family who loves me, teachers who care, my own special program at school, and some good friends. I know my learning difference is not my fault. Im not dumb. I try hard and I do many things well.

Im not a quitter. I believe Im a winner!

Winners never quit,Quitters never win!- Vince LombardiMain Menu

ReferencesGif Animations. http://www.gifanimations.comImages from Flickr users: ADHD Center, BES Photos, wfryer, revbean, dmolsen, insightimaging, jessflickr, altuwaVESID. http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/Youtube: FAT City LD Processing excerpt.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhzh9kt8z7c