possible writing disability

College Confidential Community
1

<p>Hello. I have a situation that I want to discuss in order to get feedback. It is good to read that there are other people out there who were not diagnosed with a possible learning disability until college.</p>

<p>About me....
I did well in high school and made honor roll. We never had to write papers. Ever since undergraduate school, writing papers has been a point of contention for me. I always went to the writing center. My writing issues continued yet I was able to move ahead and received a Master's Degree. Now I am going for a doctorate in education. And guess what the issues with writing papers are here again. I have trouble organizing my thoughts on papers. The organization problem has been addressed (somewhat) since I went to the writing center many, many, times. Sadly, that is not my only problem. The professor told me that if other issues aren't fixed, I will still have a problem. I have trouble with more difficult concepts (higher order thinking, educational theories/concepts, etc).
I have to have a meeting this upcoming week with the head of the program and the professor. I am scared that I am going to have to walk. I have the education I need for my field (I am a teacher of students with disabilities which I guess is funny considering my own possible disabilities). I wanted to get this degree to advance. Depending on what happens at this meeting, I may very well have to leave. Not to mention the way I am now being treated not only by the professor but my peers is very insulting and upsetting. I mentioned that I could have a ld to the teacher. I also have shown that I am making the effort, don't procrastinate, etc. If my grades stink inspite of my efforts should I leave? I have the education I need for my career. This degree is extra. Even crazier is the fact I have been published in magazines and also ebooks. (The writing style is different)</p>

<p>Has anyone ever had this happen to them or something similiar? I can't understand how professors who teach children with disabilities won't tolerate the same disabilities in their own students? I am tired of being treated like I need to return to a garbage can because I can't write college papers.</p>

2

<p>Yup, there are plenty of LDs that can manifest themselves in writing. Since you are in a program for LD, meet with your advisors and with the LD screening staff at that university, and find out what to do about your situation. Different writing styles require different skill sets. It really should be no surprise at all that you can write one sort of thing easily, but not another. But that in and of itself should not be a barrier to your completing a Ph.D. Too much of what is labeled academic writing is absolute nonsense. Even your advisor should know that clearly written materials are more useful than publications full of jargon that is only intelligible to a small group of people.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>