As I grew up, I struggled in school, not fully understanding what the teachers were telling us about our subjects and because I was afraid of how people would treat me I kept my mouth shut, not asking any questions to help myself; something I regret to this day.  I am a very shy person but a lot of people believe me to be stuck up.  If only they had really known why I was so shy then maybe they would have treated me better, if only I had known right away then maybe I would have asked questions.

          My parents finally took it into their own hands and had me tested, worried about my education and especially worried about ME.  I took a test that showed that I suffer from a learning disability, Auditory Processing Deficit.  There is also another learning disability that is connected to this one, Auditory and Visual Processing Deficit, but I have been told that I only suffer from the auditory part, not understanding what I hear, the information all jumbled up in my mind when I first hear it.

          Finally knowing what is wrong with me, my parents told my teachers and they quickly changed their tactics to help me, as well as my parents giving me more one on one during my homework time.  But because I didn’t find this out until maybe 5^thgrade, it was too late and the other kids had already shunned me, not wanting anything to do with me in school, and even two supposed best friends who lived in the same cul-de-sac as me.

          I became more of a book worm and stayed to myself even when I started high school, not wanting the same thing happening to me as it had as a child.  I was 14, starting high school, no friends, and still struggling with a learning disability.  I was scared of the teachers and other students will treat me horribly because I am different.  The psychologist who had given me the test recommended that I should be held back a year but my parents disagreed.  Then the principal as well as others in high school thought that maybe it would be better if I were to be placed in the slower classes so then I could keep up, meaning putting me in the class with the severely mentally disordered children.  My parents disagreed wholeheartedly, not wanting to teach me to use my learning disability as a crutch and I did see quite a few people with learning disabilities using it as a crutch while in high school, which to me was very sad.

          Staying in the main course classes, I did struggle but I learned to ask questions, when the other students aren’t around, though it was rare for me to answer any questions because of my fear of being laughed at like I had been in Middle school.  But thankfully I did gain friends, the best friends any girl could ask for, especially since they accepted me as I am learning disability and all.  They helped me with my homework, they hung out with me, and made me see that not everyone were total jerks when it comes to being different.  My teachers were all understanding as well as my counselor wanting to help me succeed even with a learning disability.  And I have, I am a college graduate with my AA and BA and am planning on going back to get another BA and even my Masters.  I didn’t let my LD stop me from achieving my goals even though I suffered through my math and science classes the most.

             Those who suffer from learning disabilities shouldn’t be afraid to still be yourself, to ask questions, and to continue your education while being in the main fast course classes.  Don’t use any learning disability as a crutch because you won’t help yourself only hurt yourself in the end.

          APD or Auditory Processing Deficit is a learning disability where a person has a hard time understanding what is spoken to them, their minds jumbling the information that is given to them, making it harder for them in subjects like science and math.  Don’t let yourself get down when you get a bad grade on a test, just study harder and even join a study group.  One way I learned for studying that really worked is to make flash cards, then on another piece of paper write down the word and a few key words over and over to remember.  It was very helpful and truly helped me pass my tests, my mother quizzing me and having me read to her so that she can help me understand the information presented in the text.

          It’s not a scary learning disability though at times it can be tiresome to have to ask what people mean or to look up information online about a certain subject because my brain doesn’t understand what has just been said.  But in the end the extra education and research never hurt anybody only helped them better themselves.  Do not fight your learning disability, understand it, find ways that help you understand material, and NEVER use it as a crutch and you will succeed in any dream you want to make a reality and succeed in following your educational plans and graduating with you AA, your BA or BS, and even your masters.

          To those who have a learning disability, do not fear it, befriend it and you will go far in your life.  Good luck to everyone in your dreams and plans for your life, learning disability or no learning disability.

 http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/auditory.asp

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/central_auditory.html

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/understand-apd-child.htm

http://www.ncapd.org/php/

I do wish that my parents and I had more knowlegde about APD while I was growing up as the people of today do. There are thousands of great websites out there on APD for research and understanding of this learning disability, and great websites fo all disabilities.