Misty's Learning Disabilities

[Padua]

Kool maybe I can answer your question in relation to my daughter anyway. She is currently in the 4th grade, was held back in first. She has a learning disability where she doesnt process written information well, meaning she can read but has a hard time getting it from the book through her brain and onto paper.

However, if something is set to music watch out! This girl can sing, she loves it and she can memorize a song after hearing it once. So yes, most people with "learning disabilities" do have other abilities and can function very well as adults. All a learning disability is really is something blocking ONE way of learning, but it can be overcome by understanding how the student does learn and using that as a tool.

I think my above post might clarify your statement.

 

[KOOL LOOK]

Kool Look -

"Children with learning disorders show a pattern of relative strengths and weaknesses that can make some learning tasks much more difficult."
- Mash & Wolfe, Abnormal Child Psychology, pg. 320

We have many types of intelligences. Not one person is the exact same.

Aspects of Intelligence
1. Linguistic - a sensitivity to the meaning, function, and grammatical rules of words, as in writing an essay. (I gleaned Misty's written note and noticed she was not advanced linguistically.
2. Musical - don't think that needs clarification.
3. Logical/Mathematic - the ability to solve problems and see abstract relationships (ie written math problem, ex. so if you have 8 eggs and Tyler has seven..blah blah blah
4. Spatial - a sensitivity to the perception, manipulation, and creation of different forms and contexts. (Higher in children with autism.
5. Bodily/kinesthetic - using your body and relevant part of the brain to coordinate movements.
6. Intrapersonal - recognize, define, and pursue inner feelings and thoughts (self-knowledge).
7. Interpersonal - the ability to sense the moods, feelings, and actions of other people (children with autism have a hard time with this. This is why we put children with autism in social skills development groups.)
Source - Gardner, 1993

So - we all learn differently. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. It is up to the teachers and mental health professionals to identify said strengths and weaknesses so we can build up each individuals intelligence.

Thanks so much. When we have children, something I learned way after having my first, LOL is why it's important to stimulate their little minds, even from infancy, it gives them that jump start. I wasn't aware with my first baby, so when she would wake up, I would sit there after feeding and changing her, smiling and looking at her, but dummy here didn't know I was suppose to pick her up, make sounds, show her new things. Geez I was so dumb and I was 26, college educated and dumb as a new Mother could be.

 

[KOOL LOOK]

Kool maybe I can answer your question in relation to my daughter anyway. She is currently in the 4th grade, was held back in first. She has a learning disability where she doesnt process written information well, meaning she can read but has a hard time getting it from the book through her brain and onto paper.

However, if something is set to music watch out! This girl can sing, she loves it and she can memorize a song after hearing it once. So yes, most people with "learning disabilities" do have other abilities and can function very well as adults. All a learning disability is really is something blocking ONE way of learning, but it can be overcome by understanding how the student does learn and using that as a tool.

I wasn't aware. And to see her, you would never know. Beautiful, natural and normal looking. Same with my Haylee. And I'm thinking possibly with Misty. No outwardly tell tale signs, but these disabilities, disorders, do start showing up. Your girl, same with mine, the music soothed mine, caused calmness. Had her tested for autism, we believe she wasn't autistic, but mimicked some symptons, and music was a plus in her life as with autistic children.

You mentioned something interesting that I want to inspire you on. Accimilate and Accomodate. Same with mine. We know she is getting the information, which is what accmilate means. But we didn't know how she was accomodating that information once it entered her brain. Always a discovery process. The hard time with getting it from read, to process brain info, then output. I like to call it input/output. Her ability to express herself. There again, same with mine. I've never shared these things about my Haylee but a smidgen here and there. The school and I held her back first time in 5 k kindergarten. Then she repeated 1st grade. But between 7th and 9th, she did one and a half school years, making up. The best decision I made was holding her back, she wasn't ready. It hurt my pride like a big dog, but I'm grateful the school knocked me over the head with that box of tissues as I cried like a spoiled Mama brat. But once we did it, I backed and supported it, and viola. Success!

But I can give you the most hope in knowing, that they grow up and become full functioning, lovable bright adults. Only when you spend long periods of time with my girl at her age now, can you even get glimpses of past issues. It was work, hard work for me as a parent, but then days were easy. But the extra intervention in school, like learning labs, speech and occupational classes, do pay off.

Another thing you may discover with your girl is what's called copying/imaging. Which is fine, that's the way my daughter learns. Some people who aren't familiar with this, like family, may think it's a bad thing. But it's truly not. Padua can speak on this better than I can. I was told to never discourage the copying/imaging, I didn't and wow I see the benefits.

Guess I'm a little too close to the subject, and when I see Misty displaying these signs, over and over, in every interview, written note, her facial expressions, I've just seen them too often. I just want her to have a chance, innocent or guilty concerning Haleigh, the truth is welcome. If she is involved, wouldn't LE benefit more in knowing how to communicate and get the responses out of Misty they need. If we knew this were true of Misty, if she was involved, and LE knew how to deal with her, I possibly believe we would know what has happened with Haleigh by now.

I appreciate you sharing, I never knew. And I know with a Mom and Big grown sister in her life, she'll prosper fine. I always felt if Haylee would have had an older sibling, it would have helped her develop closer to the milestones, but, she was slower, but she got there. That's what matters.

I agree. She needs help.

Otherwise, we as taxpayers will be paying for her the rest of her life.

Exactly Padua, when we help those in need, especially mentally, we teach them to be full functioning, live correctly in society without being homeless, criminals and burdens. Raising my own, always in the back of my mind I raise mine in hopes they will never burden others.

 

[Padua]

Thanks so much. When we have children, something I learned way after having my first, LOL is why it's important to stimulate their little minds, even from infancy, it gives them that jump start. I wasn't aware with my first baby, so when she would wake up, I would sit there after feeding and changing her, smiling and looking at her, but dummy here didn't know I was suppose to pick her up, make sounds, show her new things. Geez I was so dumb and I was 26, college educated and dumb as a new Mother could be.

There are a LOT of people out there that think they can pop out a baby and that's that! They don't even get the smiles you gave.

O/T
The saddest case I ever saw was (I think about 5 years old) girl whose parents didn't take care of her. They locked her in a big closet - let her go to the bathroom on herself and was just fed dry cereal - and when I finally evaluated her (after the dept of children and family services got her) she didn't have ANY verbal skills! But she loved to be loved on be direct care staff. It was soooo sad. I think about her sometimes.

 

[faefrost]

Last night it was revealed on Nancy Grace that Misty does indeed have some pretty tough learning disabilities.

According to Nancy's producer Misty lived with her Grandmother and she reported that Misty had an extremely hard time doing homework in grade school.

There is the very real possibility Misty quit school at the 6th grade.

I would like those who deal with children with disabilities to weigh in and tell us how this would affect someone like Misty and her ability to deal with the truth.

This could explain the problems with Misty. I am going to guess that if tested Misty would be operating on the same level of a 9 year old. Or younger. JMO

Did we ever hear any real underlying reason or formal diagnosis of MC's learning disabilities, beyond Grandma's statement? Was she ever noticed or diagnosed in school as such? We she ever given any special or direct attention for it? I am not saying that Misty does or does not have a learning disability, but so far the only clear one we have documented evidence of is a family that obviously did not care about her most basic education. Not going to school is not technically a learning disability. It is a disadvantage. There is a reason why it is a crime to simply pull a child out of school at the age and grade level that Misty stopped attending.

She may be dyslexic, she may be nearsighted or suffer from some variant of add. But no effort was made to ever determine if this was the case, beyond Gandma attempting to help with some grade school math homework that was beyond both the child and the adult.

 

[Padua]

Another thing you may discover with your girl is what's called copying/imaging. Which is fine, that's the way my daughter learns. Some people who aren't familiar with this, like family, may think it's a bad thing. But it's truly not. Padua can speak on this better than I can. I was told to never discourage the copying/imaging, I didn't and wow I see the benefits.



Not only do children with learning disabilities, autism, or other disorders do this but average kids do as well. Remember, your children WATCH what you do, HOW you live your life, and most importantly LISTEN to you...and this starts in infancy. That's just how they learn. Little children are smarter than some people give them credit for. They look up to their parental figures and mimic them. There's no problem with this...unless you cuss a lot, don't do you activities of daily living like you should, don't work, have a bad attitude.... and MOST IMPORTANTLY they learn interpersonal relationships from their parents.

Parents have A LOT of responsibility on their hands.

 

[Padua]

Did we ever hear any real underlying reason or formal diagnosis of MC's learning disabilities, beyond Grandma's statement? Was she ever noticed or diagnosed in school as such? We she ever given any special or direct attention for it? I am not saying that Misty does or does not have a learning disability, but so far the only clear one we have documented evidence of is a family that obviously did not care about her most basic education. Not going to school is not technically a learning disability. It is a disadvantage. There is a reason why it is a crime to simply pull a child out of school at the age and grade level that Misty stopped attending.

She may be dyslexic, she may be nearsighted or suffer from some variant of add. But no effort was made to ever determine if this was the case, beyond Gandma attempting to help with some grade school math homework that was beyond both the child and the adult.

AND. THAT. is really really sad.

She is STILL 17, there is still some hope for her.

 

[armywife210]

My 15 yr old nephew has both ADD and ADHD and trust me it is NO gift.

Well I guess we disagree there. Is it some sort of horrid thing to think differently than others? That is all that ADHD is. They simply need to take a different road to learning, they just think differently. I would hate to live in a world where everyone thought the same way. I love the diversity that God gave us.
I guess you can go with the negative approach but that gets a person nowhere in life quite quickly. I prefer to look at the glass as half full and make the best of what you have, and I instill the same ideas in the kids I work with.
If a child with ADHD (and ADD is simply ADHD without the hyperactivity, in all of my studying I've never heard someone referred to as having both) is shown the negative of his challenges than his likelihood to succeed is greatly reduced. However, if it is looked at by the parents/caregivers as a positive thing, it will be looked at by the child that way. A parent has a HUGE influence on a childs outlook, and because of that a HUGE influence on their sucess.

Personally, I know 4 doctors on a very personal level who have severe ADHD. I also know Army Officers who were diagnosed with it. MANY professionals have learning disabilities, and many will tell you that they wouldn't change it. It taught them a lot about themselves, and about perserverance. My point being that having learning disabilities do NOT hinder your chance of success. What does that is your attitude and outlook on life.
ADHD is one of the many gifts that I was given. I'm glad learning the ORDINARY way doesn't work for me, because I'm not ordinary and I have learned to rise to the challenge.
"ADHD isn't a disability, it's an gift that gives you the chance to show people what you are REALLY made of"... it's a phrase I use often, and kids really understand and rise to that challenge.

 

[Padua]

I would never diagnose ADD and ADHD. That just doesn't happen. It's one or the other.

 

[curvecuti]

I would never diagnose ADD and ADHD. That just doesn't happen. It's one or the other.

Well, I checked w/ his Mom and yes, He's ADD/ADHD, so it's happened. I told her it was said that it wasn't possible and she said she would let the Dr. and school know. LOL And like I said before it is no gift! She took him off the medication because of the awful side effects and problems that can occur w/ long time use and he simply can not function in school. He's been on medication since he was 5. It's not a question of learning differently, it's a question of learning at all!

 

[KOOL LOOK]

Well, I checked w/ his Mom and yes, He's ADD/ADHD, so it's happened. I told her it was said that it wasn't possible and she said she would let the Dr. and school know. LOL And like I said before it is no gift! She took him off the medication because of the awful side effects and problems that can occur w/ long time use and he simply can not function in school. He's been on medication since he was 5. It's not a question of learning differently, it's a question of learning at all!

My daughter was diagnosed with both between the age of 4 and 5. I remember it as if it was yesterday. Her pediatric Doctors, Therapists, School administrators from the Catholic Private School who happened to have PHD's, God love em, that school saved my life. I'm not Catholic, but if it wasn't for the Catholic people, I don't know how I would have made it when all this was coming out, right after losing my husband.

I gave her the ritalin. Worked beautifully. She could have been the poster child for the pharmaceutical company selling the add/adhd drugs. But after about 8 months, of pure aggravation from family, and concerns of stunting her growth, I took her off and used behavioral management techniques, and all the other therapies I learned during the 8 hourly sessions per work. It worked without medicating, she and I were Blessed. The Psychologists, Docs, and Therapists were spot on. They were having to deal with teaching me too, so I could in turn help her.

I have an opinion about adhd, but I would get shot if I shared it. LOL

 

[PorcineGranny]

I have found the best way to learn about adhd is to read C.H.A.D.D. You see, there are different degrees and things that go along with it. Usually people that have this disorder are very talented in other ways. Have great insight are the world's best critical thinkers. I also have an opinion about it, but considering the level of conversation in here, I dare not post it. I think everyone in here could learn much. JMO

Armywife, a great post !

 

[Padua]

Well, I checked w/ his Mom and yes, He's ADD/ADHD, so it's happened. I told her it was said that it wasn't possible and she said she would let the Dr. and school know. LOL And like I said before it is no gift! She took him off the medication because of the awful side effects and problems that can occur w/ long time use and he simply can not function in school. He's been on medication since he was 5. It's not a question of learning differently, it's a question of learning at all!

I'm sorry. There is no such things as ADD/ADHD dx. Not even before the changes of the ICD and DSM.

She/he needs a new eval.


How long ago are we talking about when they were dx w/ ADD/ADHD?

AND ---WHY would you take him off medicine without consulting his doctor?!!!!! Did you think about possible withdrawals???!!!!

 

[Trino]

I agree. She needs help.

Otherwise, we as taxpayers will be paying for her the rest of her life.

If she's diagnosed with a disability, she would most likely be eligible for Soc Sec, so you can be we'll be paying.

 

[curvecuti]

I'm sorry. There is no such things as ADD/ADHD dx. Not even before the changes of the ICD and DSM.

She/he needs a new eval.


How long ago are we talking about when they were dx w/ ADD/ADHD?

AND ---WHY would you take him off medicine without consulting his doctor?!!!!! Did you think about possible withdrawals???!!!!

Um, did I say they did that w/o a Dr.? Nope, he had to be gradually withdrawn. This didn't just happen yesterday. And really I can comprehend your point w/o the dramatic punctuation, thanks. And like I said it says on his eval. ADD/ADHD. I didn't evaluate him so I can't change it.

 

[Helplessly Hoping]

I have found the best way to learn about adhd is to read C.H.A.D.D. You see, there are different degrees and things that go along with it. Usually people that have this disorder are very talented in other ways. Have great insight are the world's best critical thinkers. I also have an opinion about it, but considering the level of conversation in here, I dare not post it. I think everyone in here could learn much. JMO

Armywife, a great post !

SIL is a board member of a local CHADD...ADD/ADHD are commonly intertwined...have a few family members dxed including my son and myself....hyperfocus is a differential ....but I KNOW they occur together....diagnostician is the key...otherwise...it's carp MOO

In my professional experience (Years of ES/LS teaching) re Misty...view her airport, Morning Show interviews against her interviews about that night...she presents differently....she MAY have an LD but that has NOTHING to do with her IQ or her ability to answer questions....sheesh....I feel sorry for her circumstances but not her choices...MOO IMO JMO etc...

 

[KOOL LOOK]

If she's diagnosed with a disability, she would most likely be eligible for Soc Sec, so you can be we'll be paying.

I don't mind helping those less fortunate than I. It's a priviledge.

 

[PorcineGranny]

Curvicutie, I didn't mean to ignore your remark about Ron's gait. You see, how a person moves, or for example whether they can skip at a certain age does indicate certain
neurological things. I wasn't saying LD people have a certain gait. What I am saying is that LD is often a diagnosis that also goes along with ADHD which is a brain difference. Its all connected. I know its confusing to people who haven't studied it, but thats why I suggested the Chadd magazine. Its got alot of information. Theres alot of different opinions on this as you can tell by reading these posts. The truth is its something you are born with, and you die with. You learn how to cope in life, but there is no cure.
People believe different things about it, but it is a brain , I hate to say disability because so often these people are very talented in other areas. So thats why we view it so differently. If you were a soldier and you had this, you would be most likely brave, impulsive, ready to fight hard in a minute. If you were a scientist you might be too impulsive, risk things you shouldn't.

 

[Hippy Chick]

Whisp, have you noticed his gait when he walks? I would say you are on the mark, not that it matters, but theres something there.

Are you talking about the one clip when he has the shorts on? I thought he was walking that way because they were to big for him and were about to fall off, I just thought he was trying to keep them up the way he had his hands shoved in the pockets and his feet turned out. I reallly didn't notice him walking with a different kinda gait any other time.

 

[PorcineGranny]

Hippy, I've noticed it every time I've seen him walking.