Mom w/possible learning disability?

[Anonymous]

Today, I was told by my therapist that I should be tested for a learning disability(LD). I consider myself to be quite intelligent. According to my therapist, LDs have nothing to do with lintelligence. She even noted that some PHDs have LDs.

After having issues at work because of my writing, coupled withy acceptannce of my lifetime struggle with my writing, especially in undergrad and grad school, I am considering getting tested.

If I am diagnosed/labeled with a LD,
I'm wondering how can this impact me parenting, professional (present and future); getting supplemental disability insurance, as well as other ways I haven't considered.

It would be helpful to hear from someone who knows
from experience either personally and professionally.

[Anonymous]

If you are going to go forward with the testing, the first thing you need to understand is that having a learning disability has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence.

[Anonymous]

OP you really need to look into this. What you state is just factually wrong and actually offensive. Being diagnosed at LD as an adult does nothing for you unless you want it to. Supplemental disability insurance? Why? You won't get accommodations at work either. If you can't write and writing is part of your job there are a lot of things you can do to work on that. Professional development is your friend. LD or not.

[Anonymous]

Who says they are "quite intelligent" anyway? What kind of ego do you have?

[Anonymous]

Disability insurance? What on Earth are you talking about? No, you will not get disability insurance.

The only reason to do this is to identify an area so you can learn to compensate. Since this isn't on your list of things to do, I'd skip it.

[Anonymous]

Do you know how many adults have ld? Some
are more severe than others but you have been seemingly successful so far according to your post. If you are curious do it but it's not going to get you anything but more info about how you learn. if you are not ready to hear it because you will get a full run down don't do it. Hire a writing tutor to work on your weaknesses and move on.

[Anonymous]

LD means you have average to above average intelligence but you don't meet that through work or grades so forth.

You can't get disability insurance. If you are talking SSI you have to prove you cannot work because of your disability and those people tend to be very low functioning and Not LD.

I have test anxiety and am ADD was diagnosed in College after I got sick with an illness that caused some issues. I was told to do the whole SSI screening and didn't get it. It was a step into continuing my health insurance.

I think getting tested is a waste of money and time for you. You probably have good old ADD/ADHD and anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Once you are out of school, getting a LD diagnosis will not "do" anything for you. You will not get accommodation at work nor will you be able to get "supplemental disability insurance".

Unless you are planning to return to school, getting tested now will mostly be for your own edification. I agree with pp, that getting tested (full neuropsych eval) will be a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Get tested. What the hell. You'll know (within an margin for error, anyway). The therapist will also suggest accommodations.

[Anonymous]

LDs are usually diagnosed with a neuropsych evaluation which usually run around $3-4K. Your insurance company will probably not pay in your case since diagnosing LDs are considered "educational" and not medical.

[Anonymous]

I was diagnosed with ADD as an adult. It explains so much of why things happened they way they did when I was growing up.

Now I know to make accommodations for my hyper-focus, procrastination and short-term memory deficits.

If you can afford it, and if you are experiencing difficulties in your daily living, it can shed some light on possible solutions.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP,

If you've struggled with writing and a therapist suggests that you get tested, then I would.

The Lab School of Washington used to offer classes for adults, but if you look under "Night School" in the directory, there's a contact person listed: http://www.labschool.org/page/Directory

You may also want to look into ASDEC:
http://asdec.org/services

Since it's writing that seems to be the sticking point, you may not have to go through the whole neuropsych evaluation.

Also, if you have an LD, you're in good company. All of these highly successful people have dyslexia:
http://dyslexia.yale.edu/successfuldyslexics.html

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the feedback. It is very helpful. I want to clarify that my inquiring  if a LD diagnosis could impact me having to pay more for supplemental insurance; simlilar to how a person diagnosed with depression pays a higher preminum for life insurance . By no means was I inquiring about the possiblity of getting disability benefits resulting from a LD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for all the feedback. It is very helpful. I want to clarify that my inquiring  if a LD diagnosis could impact me having to pay more for supplemental insurance; simlilar to how a person diagnosed with depression pays a higher preminum for life insurance . By no means was I inquiring about the possiblity of getting disability benefits resulting from a LD.

Wouldn't that be a violation of ADA?

I'm not sure why a diagnosis like dysgraphia or dyslexia would impact supplemental insurance. It's not as though you would be taking medication for these things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Disability insurance? What on Earth are you talking about? No, you will not get disability insurance.

The only reason to do this is to identify an area so you can learn to compensate. Since this isn't on your list of things to do, I'd skip it.

+1