I’m reading a new book by Anne Ford, called “On Their Own.” In it, she talks about experts and educational specialists wanting to be politically correct and change the title “learning disabled” to “learning differences.” Anne goes on to explain that the word “disabled” infers a flaw in the person, whereas the word “differences” merely implies a different style of learning.

Wow, what a difference a word could make in the way others perceive your child. It makes you want to jump right on the bandwagon and advocate for the change to improve your child’s self-esteem.

However, there is a drawback. She goes on to say that, she does not agree with changing the terminology. She says that through her work with the National Center for Learning Disabilities she has learned that the government is only interested in providing funds and laws for disabilities, not differences. I’m sure we will all choose services for our special needs children over terminology; we have to.

Anne talks about the word learning also, in her book. She finds the word inadequate to describe a condition that affects all aspects of life including adult life. Because it implies something done in school, and a learning disability doesn’t just go away when you finish school. However, she goes on to say that, it is probably the only word that encompasses enough of the various manifestations of the disability to give people an idea of what it is.

She makes another point, which I touched on in one of my earlier post called “What is FAS or FAE.” A person with a learning disability may look completely normal. A stranger would probably not notice anything unusual, until they began a conversation or a relationship. It is so much easier to get services, understanding, and help for a child with obvious physical impairments.

In chapter two of “On Their Own” Anne Ford gives us more insight into learning disabilities. She says “…difficulties in spoken or written language, arithmetic, reasoning, and organizational skills…” “…difficulties in organization, planning, scheduling, monitoring, language comprehension and expression, social skills and inattention.” “Adults with learning disabilities may demonstrate poor judgment of others’ moods and attitudes and appear less sensitive to others’ thoughts and feelings.”

I could see so much of my adult daughter “R” in these descriptions. As I have previously told you, she is academically intelligent, but really struggles with interpersonal relationships.

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Photo is a scan of Anne Ford’s newest book, “On Their Own,” “Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD,” A Family Guide.