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Don't do Math!!!
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| daba82 |
Posted on December 04 2011 01:25 PM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 4
Joined: 2011-12-04
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Wow! I just heard abt. this disorder. That there was actually a name for what i thought was being just addle brained!!! I'm a 47 year old woman who was diagnosed with Epilepsy when i was 22 aftr having seizures in the hosp. soon afte giving birth to my daughter.......I also had early childhood illness that caused infection and high fevers(some convulsions)
Well....i was never to talented in Math in school. Got by but struggled more in certain areas.
Worked at a store that required being behind a cash register. Always had great anxiety with that. Couldn't count back money and i distinctly remember at least once where the store manager helped me at the end of the day balance my drawer to make sure everything was there! This was before having seizures.
I've noticed more as an adult that i have difficulty in Math. I work at the high school on occasion and sometimes have to work with special needs kids. I always tell the instructor that i can help out in some areas but "I don't do math"..........
I also struggle in other areas as well and was amazed when i read the "symptoms" of this disorder. So much is me!!! Right down to having difficulty with keeping names straight when the 1st letters are the same or like sounding!!! Always screw up when my sister Cindy and my daughter Sarah are at a family gathering. Always call one the other. It drives me crazy!!! Those are just a few in that area. So much of the other "symptoms" or difficulties are me too!
Anxiety is my middle name!!!
Wow! I'm so excited that it's just not me being stupid. It's a real diagnosed condition which i may have. As far as being diagnosed......well........what good would that do except to give me another label. I'm sure that there can't be a medication for it and if there was i wouldn't want to take it. I'm taking enough for my seizures which i'm in control of thank goodness for that!!!
So i'm glad i've read abt. this. Now i don't feel so adle brained. 
PS...........I've been told by many, many people that i should write a book because i do so well and are so creative at expressing myself in written form. A very interesting person with a great but unusual sense of humor.
Edited by daba82 on December 04 2011 01:42 PM |
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| squeakymonster |
Posted on December 04 2011 03:16 PM
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Member
Location: Munising, MI, USA
Posts: 797
Joined: 2010-10-09
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Yep, you sound like a lot of us. A psychologist is able to test you, so I'd look into that, if I were you.
I'm NOT lost, I'm just taking the scenic rout! |
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| daba82 |
Posted on December 04 2011 09:23 PM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 4
Joined: 2011-12-04
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Thanks for the response.......this is all very interesting to me. I'm actually rather excited abt. it and look back on my difficulties that i can remember as far back as kindergarten when i was the only one in the class of 30 that couldn't cut out a paper doll. Or maybe why i was always afraid of jumprope and would shy away from the group of classmates who were doing it. Stayed away from school group activities in school such as the time everyone at the school picnic was playing a picup game of baseball and i kept my distance. Did this all the way into adulthood........Just always thought i was being shy......but had lots of friends otherwise. I remember being the only one in my class who choked on a spelling test....the 1st where we did cursive writing. I wasn't stupid. I knew how to spell the words. This is all so interesting. As far as having it checked out. Well......I'll speak to my epileptologist abt. it anyway. This amazes me. Maybe this explains why i've never been able to absorb the concepts and workings of my digital camera even though when i get it right i take great pics because i grasp the creative part quite well. I just get so frustrated when the settings i've "discovered" i don't retain and i feel like a fumbling fool!!! This could also explain my struggle with choosing the right colors when it comes to my sewing quilts.....Could also explain why my living room as so safely nuetrul in color.....creams, beiges, browns......too anxious to think outside the box!!!
Now i wonder what the best kind of job out there would be for me. I've been a stay at home mom but the "kids" are 18 and 24 now. I've been brave enough to work as a sub at school......mainly doing studyhalls and of all things working with the kids with learning disabilities. I just choke when it comes to schedules and lists and i get anxious and screw up! But i DO like the learning dissabilites department because i feel like i can identify somewhat because of my epilepsy and side effects of my meds. which aren't side effects at all i'm learning now. This is so crazy! I'm not alone and yet feel alone because no one outside of this forum can understand how i feel. |
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| RottieWoman |
Posted on December 04 2011 09:53 PM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 3063
Joined: 2008-12-31
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hey, daba82 - welcome! I was diagnosed at my university after continually failing remedial college math. I was in Special Ed as a kid for other things but the LD was never caught.
I'm glad you know now that you aren't alone.
There is a thread where we discuss jobs or opportunities for people with math LD..let me see if I can find it .... |
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| RottieWoman |
Posted on December 04 2011 09:58 PM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 3063
Joined: 2008-12-31
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ok, am sorry, daba, but can't find it at moment - not techie here at all and tired from a long dog-related day yesterday - hopefully others will be along son to greet you and maybe they can direct you to the kind of thing here I was looking for- |
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| daba82 |
Posted on December 04 2011 10:08 PM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 4
Joined: 2011-12-04
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Hi RottieWoman
Thanks for trying to check this out for me. That's ok. something will come along if it's meant to i guess.(jobwise) I descided to be brave and do the school thing awhile back. Abt. 6 years ago. Kinda wanted to face my fear of seizures. The kids(high schoolers) like me because i think that are surprised at how out of the box i am. a rather creative thinker i guess. Unusual sense of humor and have a different way of dealing with things. Get along better with the kids but uncomfortable around the adults! As far as schedules or lists....and remembering kids names even though i see them over and over....really rattles my nerves and makes me feel like an idiot at times. I have very low self esteem.........Now i understand what it could be all abt...... |
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| justfoundout |
Posted on December 27 2011 05:09 PM
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Member
Location: Texas USA
Posts: 6135
Joined: 2008-05-25
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12/27/1
Hi daba82. I'm just now saying hello to you because at the time that you first joined this forum, I was swamped with my three college classes. Plus, I saw that RW and Squeaky had made sure you were properly 'welcomed'. I want to add my encouragement to Squeaky's that you get tested for dyscalculia by a psychologist. This would, yes, give you 'another label'. But it's much more than that. With the diagnosis comes 'accommodations' for any college class that you would take,... like extra time for test taking and sometimes extra time for turning in assignments. In my case, I have a slow processing speed for anything mathematical. In my Biology class (of all places) we had to do some arithmetic 'in class' about percentages of calories, proteins, and fats. Most students finished it in class and turned it in at the end of that class day. In my case though, it was taking me a long time to work the problems. The teacher was only able to make sure that I at least 'knew how' to work each of the types of problems. And then, she told me to turn it in to her the following Saturday. (It was a 'Saturday only' class, so we only met once a week.) She was only able to extend this concession to me because of my diagnosis and the 'accommodations' letter that the Disability Office makes for each teacher. The teacher couldn't have allowed me this extention of time without that letter, because it would have looked like she was being 'partial' to me.
Besides being a big help in college, the diagnosis is nice because when you 'tell your story', that story isn't full of supposition on your part that 'this must be what I have'. A diagnosis would allow you to focus better on 'telling your story', without the annoyance of also defending yourself about the cause of your math problems,... not that everyone will believe a psychologist either. But at least that one crucial element has been professionally validated. And when you get tested, if you are given the Wechsler test, you'll also be given an official IQ score, which in your case will probably give you a cheerful moment. - jus'
Edited by justfoundout on December 27 2011 05:11 PM |
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| Ladyhawke |
Posted on December 28 2011 05:26 AM
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Member
Location: Canada
Posts: 144
Joined: 2011-11-18
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Welcome, Daba82!
I'm still trying to figure out how I missed your initial post, but who knows what that was about?  Judging by the date on your initial post, I'm only about two weeks ahead of you in discovering that Dyscalculia even exists, which was a stunning revelation for me. It explains so much about why things are the way they are with me.
I too, am in my late 40's. I also have two children, ages 22 and 18, so we have a great deal in common there. 
As for testing, I agree with what some other posters have already told you; however, in my case it is not necessary at this point in time for me to have an official diagnosis. Should it become necessary at some later date, then I will certainly give it serious consideration.
Again, I welcome you to the forum. I'm sure you'll gain even more insight as you read others' posts here and that you'll find many like-minded people.
Algebra? When I learn decimals and fractions, you're welcome to try teaching me, but unless you have the patience of a saint and are very long-lived, good luck with that...  |
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