intro, new to the forum. math dyslexia

[deedee]

Hi everyone,

I'm Deedee, and am seeking advise, support, and hopefully find some answers. as well as offering any advise or help that I may be able to give to others.

I do feel like I'm all alone, and completely lost. I am not new to difficulties in learning and  have a ton of issues that I'm living with, just need some direction.

anyone who is familiar with adhd, bi-polar, PTSD, and borderline personality. and now I'm being told that I may have dyslexia, or math dyslexia. Please, I need direction on this one. I have googled this math dyslexia but how do I deal with or turn to get the proper diagnosis, and is there any help for me to get some type of schooling?
I went to GED classes for 2013- took the test, passed everything except the math.
Now I am lost. have no idea what to do. there has to be some type of resources or help for me, I just don't know who or where to find it?
Atlanta area.  any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dee 

[bros]

By math dyslexia, they may mean dyscalculia.

[healthy11]

Deedee, welcome to Millermoms forum. First, I should mention that our members are not just moms, nor is everyone from the U.S. One gentleman in particular, who uses the screen name Eoffg, is from Australia. He's an expert in dyscalculia; I'm guessing that's what you mean by the term math dyslexia. I'm sure he will comment here, but if you want to look for additional resources now, his forum is at www.dyscalculiaforum.com/forum/index.php

[deedee]

Ok, thank ya'll.
and yes as I am googling I am seeing that it is dyscalculia. seems I am just full of all types of ills. looks like my battles are just building. ugh.
I don't know how I am supposed to get my GED. I tried so very hard, I studied that math more than any other of my school subjects. and still got a very low score. I am discouraged, I was the oldest person in the GED classes. and I felt so embarrassed because the teachers kept calling me out telling me that they knew I knew the math but I was just 'playing' or being lazy. I was a good student, and went to classes everyday. but I felt like the stupid one. and my self esteem is shot.

[deedee]

I have tried to register over at the url you suggested and it will not let me, tried several times. this is the error code I keep getting. I am using the same email that I used here, it is a valid email.

Registration failed for the following reason(s):

Your email address or email domain is blacklisted.

[bros]

They might block gmail addresses due to spam.

[healthy11]

We can understand your frustration with having a multitude of different diagnoses to deal with. If it helps, know that you are not alone. Many of us either have children with multiple issues, or are dealing with multiple issues personally. I'm sure that Eoffg, whom I referred to earlier, will be able to straighten out the registration problem you're having at the dyscalculia forum, since he is the administrator for it.

As far as the GED exam, it sounds to me as if the "teachers" you had were not very experienced as far as dealing with individuals who have actual learning disabilities. I wonder if there aren't other places where you could get tutoring that would better meet your individual math needs, and that has more sensitive instructors... It also sounds like Georgia has changed their GED testing as of January 1st, 2014. www.macon.com/2014/01/16/2883584/new-ged-exam-puts-more-focus-on.html
Again, I'm hopeful that Eoffg will see your post here, and be able to give you additional resources.

[eoffg]

Hi Deedee,
Sorry about the problem with registering, though we have a problem with gmail spam.
But I can do your registration for you.
Just send me an email to the following address.
I'll make Deedee your username, unless you want something different?
Also you can write what password you want to use, or I can create one?

[e-mail]


I just had a look at the Georgia GE Testing page, where it provides an explanation of what is required for getting accommodations.
www.passged.com/GA-GED-Testing.php#GA-accomodations
It also has the form to request them, which has a section 6: Mathematics Disorder.
This explains what tests are required.
www.gedtestingservice.com/uploads/files/8a566c077d2571f50b69cd23d9adf0e4.pdf

Where you can quite possibly get extra time, and also be able to use a calculator.
Something that might also be useful, is a scribe?  As quite often people with Dyscalculia, will work out the correct answer, but then write it down wrong?  Or put the answer in the wrong place?
So a scribe can help overcome that problem.

[dihicks6]

If you don't mind me asking, did you have an IEP when you attended school? If so, sometimes documentation of any learning disability may make it easier to get the GED accommodations for the next time. Have you talked with any of the GED staff about this possibility? If they don't know, or say it's not possible, continue up the chain of command until you find someone who can help! Good luck!

[deedee]

Thank you.

Yes, I did have accommodations. with time and time extra time, and a private room, although the private room was not available I was fine with that but the extra time was good enough, as I read and re read over and over.
Yes I had my letters from my mental health Dr for the school and I was still denied any special help. as I went to an public GED prep class. I am not working, nor have I ever had any type of job. (married 30 years) and all of a sudden bombed with a divorce, leaving me to care for my mentally impaired son, and no money. I am struggling to make this happen. I was able to get a credit card in my name for the GED exam cost, but now I feel like it was a waste of my money. the GED school I went to was suppose to give me coupons which would have help me pay for a few of the classes, but that never happened. the school refused me any help at all, although many of the students there got the entire exam paid for them free. when I questioned this? I was told to ask this person, and then that person, bottom line nobody wanted to help me at all. I feel betrayed by my school. I do have my own beliefs as to why I was turned away to any help. I will hold off as not to insult anyone. I am not here to bash, I am here to get direction because I do not even know where to turn to.

Yes I know about the new test. but I do not even know what to do at this point. I knew I had other issues, ADHD and so on as I explained earlier, but the dyslexia math thing is a new one. I have yet to see my normal DR, as she is out of the office until May, but I am seeing another DR who has told me that I would need a proper diagnoses before I can get any help. I am not looking for free money. I am looking for a way to study, get my GED and hopefully find a way to support myself as I only have 9 yrs of alimony. and I have no idea what to do.
I am scared. and very frustrated.

[dihicks6]

Check the net for an agency called vocational rehab. They can help in some cases or direct you somewhere else. If you could tell us what state or city you are in, we could provide more assistance. Also does your son receive any help from social security?

[bros]

Jan 29, 2014 14:24:53 GMT -5 dihicks6 said:

Check the net for an agency called vocational rehab. They can help in some cases or direct you somewhere else. If you could tell us what state or city you are in, we could provide more assistance. Also does your son receive any help from social security?

She mentioned Atlanta area. So I would assume Georgia?

[deedee]

Yes, Atlanta Ga.
and no SS, trying to get him on that now. he has seen several doctors. but they keep telling us to give them more time. I am not sure whats going on.

I purchased this online course for Math. called math upgrade online. and it seems like its good, and I am learning it.. thing is, I learn it today, and by tomorrow I completely forget what I am learning.

I take medications, I am on Lamictal and Klonopin. and I take adderall when I was in school. could any of these meds be making me forgetful? I also have been on khan academy but as I said, I no sooner learn it, then I forget it.

[bros]

With SSI, people usually get denied on the initial stage. Reconsideration and ALJ are where people usually get approved.

[deedee]

what is ALJ?

[healthy11]

www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html is one site that mentions ALJ (Administrative Law Judge)

Deedee, when you were recently told that you had "math dyslexia," who gave you that diagnosis, and what, if any, testing/evaluations were you given by that person? Did you ever have the WAIS or a similar test done? If so, would you be willing to post the scores so that we can help interpret them? In any case, I can tell you that working memory issues are common among people who have ADHD. My 23 yr. old son (who has ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and some panic/anxiety issues) happens to be another individual who can study one night and forget almost everything the next, although he struggles more with spelling/writing than math. I'm not familiar with the side effects of Lamictal, but Adderall (which my son also takes) usually improves the performance of individuals with ADHD on working memory tests.

There have been a number of past discussions on the topic of improving working memory and you might be interested in reading through some of them/checking out some of the links mentioned in them, like millermom.proboards.com/thread/12241/cogmed-progress-report-working-memory

A few years ago, I attended the International Dyslexia Association Conference, and one of the featured speakers was Dr. Milton Dehn, who presented in-depth sessions on Short Term/Working Memory and Long Term Memory. His books include "Helping Students Remember: Exercises and Strategies to Strengthen Memory," which is described as
“A practical workbook designed to assist students whose academic learning is suffering due to a memory deficit or ineffective utilization…” His other titles can be found at
www.psychprocesses.com/recommended-reading/ or www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=milton+dehn&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=3686881185&ref=pd_sl_4papv5ynas_b

[deedee]

I have not been diagnosed. but when I was in my GED classes the math teacher ask me if I was dyslexic I told her no, and why? she said I was a spatial (?) learner.
I tried to get help from a family member who was showing me the math, fractions seems to be the worst for me along with those word problems! and again I was asked if I was dyslexic. (I always though that dyslexic meant that one could not read. and my reading is OK, But I have always had issues with math, getting numbers mixed up. and learning my times tables is seemingly impossible. 0's and 9, 10's get me! but the dean ask me as well and when I actually failed the GED only in the math I knew something is wrong. I do see a special DR for my other issues. but they do not test for dyslexia or math dyslexia. I do not know where or how to be tested for this.
I really need to do something. as of now I am not in school, nor am I working. I want to work, but need a GED to get a job. and I cant pass the GED for my failure to pass the math. I am willing to do whatever I need to do. but for now I am in limbo I don't know what to do.

How or where can I get tested, or get help? I use Kaiser Insurance. and they do have behavioral health. I have been diagnosed with other issues, but I do not think they test for this.
Please, please help me. I just don't know where to turn to.
I don't know if this will help? but my GED scores were:
READING-700
S.STUDIES-600
LA-/ESSAY-545
SCIENCE-510
MATH---------300!
In Ga needed a minimum of 410 per each test to pass. I am so sad I got such a low, low score in math.

[healthy11]

Deedee, you're not alone. There are many, many people who don't realize that dyslexia isn't just "seeing letters and numbers reversed" or an inability to read. Similarly, many people have never heard of dyscalculia. I'm not personally familiar with GED scoring, but just from your postings here, it's clear that you have good communication abilities, and that is an important and useful strength.

I know there are some states that have Scottish Rite Dyslexia Centers that provide free testing and tutoring for children, although I'm not sure what services they have for adults, and it doesn't appear that Georgia has any Scottish Rite facilities. What I did find was www.dyslexiadecatur.org/resources/testing-providers/ and I wonder if you could call someone on their list, and explain your situation, so they might refer you to an appropriate adult evaluator, if they can't do it themselves. Perhaps even the Dr. you see would know of a colleague who evaluates for learning disabilities/differences? On the other hand, since you are already eligible for GED accommodations like extended time on the testing, getting a formal Math Disability diagnosis may not help much. It probably makes the most sense to join Eoffg's Dyscalculia forum, and focus on recommendations he gives, since he definitely understands what you're dealing with. Hang in there!

[deedee]

Ok, thank you for the information. I have been doing lots of research and reading everything I can about this. I see that a special test-
Neuropsychological test needs to be given to know the extent of ones issues.

I called kaiser and they said I need a referral from primary DR to get one in. so I sent an email over and am waiting for a response.

Has anyone had this test? what exactly does it show for? is it a long test? I am not nervous about it. but I am anxious because I feel like my life is being put on hold because I am seemingly stuck not knowing which way to turn.

thank you all.

[bros]

Neuropsychological evaluations can take a while - I had one in May 2010, took around 8 hours.

[healthy11]

A neuropsychological evaluation isn't one single test. Generally it includes taking a detailed history of a person's background, administering IQ and achievement tests, like the WAIS and WIAT or Woodcock-Johnson, as well as other specific tests based on the weaknesses identified (in your case, likely focusing on working memory and math areas; the doctor/psychologist will probably decide which to administer after he/she meets you, as the evaluation proceeds)

You might want to look at sites that explain what documentation is needed to get accommodations on future GED tests, to ensure whatever neuropsych report you receive meets their requirements. www.passged.com/GA-GED-Testing.php www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/accommodations-for-disability