I hang out on the Dyscalculia Forum, and there are frequent new member posts from adults wondering if they have LD. They go something like this:
I had no idea this condition existed, but when I read the definition on this forum it sounded just like me! I’ve been terrible at math my whole life. People even joked that I was “number dyslexic”. I’m sure I have dysclaculia. I have all the symptoms. But how do I know for sure?
One place to start is at the Learning Disabilities Association of America’s assessment page. While they can’t assess you online — you need a professional for that — they provide a list of characteristics that are common in people with learning difficulty, and suggestions for how to find someone who can test you.
Do any of the following sound like you?
* May perform similar tasks differently from day to day
* May read well but not write well, or write well but not read well
* May be able to learn information presented in one way, but not in another
* May have a short attention span, be impulsive, and/or be easily distracted
* May have difficulty telling or understanding jokes
* May misinterpret language, have poor comprehension of what is said
* May have difficulty with social skills, may misinterpret social cues
* May find it difficult to memorize information
* May have difficulty following a schedule, being on time, or meeting deadlines
* May get lost easily, either driving and/or in large buildings
* May have trouble reading maps
* May often misread or miscopy
* May confuse similar letters or numbers, reverse them, or confuse their order
* May have difficulty reading the newspaper, following small print, and/or following columns
* May be able to explain things orally, but not in writing
* May have difficulty writing ideas on paper
* May reverse or omit letters, words, or phrases when writing
* May have difficulty completing job applications correctly
* May have persistent problems with sentence structure, writing mechanics, and organizing written work
* May experience continuous problems with spelling the same word differently in one document
* May have trouble dialing phone numbers and reading addresses
* May have difficulty with math, math language, and math concepts
* May reverse numbers in checkbook and have difficulty balancing a checkbook
* May confuse right and left, up and down
* May have difficulty following directions, especially multiple directions
* May be poorly coordinated
* May be unable to tell you what has just been said
* May hear sounds, words, or sentences imperfectly or incorrectly
You don’t have to have all of these characteristics to have learning disabilities, but if you have some of them, and they seriously inhibit your work, your schooling, or your everyday life (and you live in the States), check out LD America. They have chapters in cities and counties throughout the country, and your local chapter can help you to find someone who can test you. Their website also has suggestions for where else you can look.
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