NOTE: October is Learning Disabilities (LD)/Dyslexia/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Awareness (ADHD) Month.
By Michaela Hearst, an advocate, writer, and a social worker.
I was diagnosed with nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD) and learning disability not otherwise specified (LD-NOS) when I was 14 years old. I share my personal story with the hope it will inspire or help others.
Every experience I’ve undergone in the past has led me to where I am now.
Educators have a responsibility to continuously educate themselves about the needs of their students.
Back in high school, I was convinced there was no future for me in academia because of my learning disability. Today, I have a master’s degree in social work, with the long-term goal of helping others like me by enacting change on a systemic level.
As a student, I inevitably had to learn how to advocate for myself even before I was diagnosed.
There have been times in school, including graduate school, where I didn’t know what accommodations I needed or what would truly help me.
One concrete accommodation I’ve had for years is extra time on exams. I had to apply for extra time for the social work master’s exam and the review board requested past documentation.
In ninth grade, my [...]