Helping People with Learning Disabilities to Develop their Potential
Most people with a learning disability don’t cope well in the current education system, and have a low self-esteem. Therefore they are unhappy, frustrated and can’t reach their potential. Why not changing our view on learning disabilities? See them as different learning styles, and concentrate on a person’s strength instead of their weaknesses. This would contribute to their happiness, self-image, and to their ability to reach their potential. You will find a different perspective on learning disabilities and insights in the consequences of being misunderstood.
‘If one does not understand a person, one tends to regard him as a fool.” Carl Jung (1875–1961), Swiss psychiatrist.
Having a learning disability doesn’t need to be a disadvantage; it’s just a different learning style. Why not approach LD from their advantages instead of their disadvantages. For instant dyslexia has a nice collection of strengths. There are many famous people with learning disabilities, like Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Winston Churchill, George Patton, Jackie Stewart, etc.. They are a living proof that learning differences can be a serious advantage. Furthermore, those advantages are in demand in the information age, and this trend will grow further.
Parents and teachers can contribute to the happiness of the child with a learning difference. By having more awareness and understanding of those learning differences, we would be better equipped to help. We could adjust the education methods to their learning style, nurture their abilities and give the child our trust, so it doesn’t lose its self-confidence. Therefore, the child will be able to reach its potential, which is the highest goal of human development.
It has been said of him “the boy may have been a misfit in school, but he was a born businessman. Much of his success is due to the fact that he is a non-linear thinker.” Paul Orfalea: Founder of Kindo’s, famous dyslexic.
One can alleviate the downsides of the learning difference, when adopting a suitable learning style and using the advantages of the learning difference.
Plato believed that children are born with special talents and that their training should stress those talents. His views are consistent with modern thinking about individual differences and education. Aristotle proposed methods for observing children.