NLA Discussion: Advocates' talk

[Art LaChance]

David,

>From an adult literacy service providers' position.  After having worked with
adults and children throughout the past ten years who exhibit characteristics
of LD, ADD, ADHD, etc., and who were formally or informally identified as
such.

I would like to see some serious work dedicated to identifying the possibility
that emotional energy steming from an unresolved emotional crisis can and very
often does, block a child's cognitive processes.  When we consider the
"window-of-opportunity" for language in the developmental stages of a child,
it leads me to wonder if, by ignoring the emotional component OR not
addressing it effectively, we permit the child to pass through the window with
only half a bag of coding or decoding skills.  The same in the math area.  Is
this really a "disability" or have we simply not helped the brain understand
to a useable level that which we have attempted to teach it?
I'm not including the persons who do in fact have a deficit in the genetic
structure of the brain.

Art LaChance
Gilmer Learning Center
Ellijay, GA 30540
706-276-1110


David J Rosen wrote:

> NLA Colleagues,
>
> Some of you are advocates.  You work with groups of like-minded people on
> issues you care deeply about.  You subscribe to this list in part to
> learn more about what advocates in other places in the U.S. -- or
> elsewhere  -- are struggling for, and how they are working on these
> issues.
>
> If you are an advocate, tell us what the issue is (or issues are) that you
> are working with others to address.  Tell us what community/ies you are
> working with, how you are organized, and what you may have accomplished.
> Are you working on reforming welfare reform or welfare rights?  Are you
> advocating for adult literacy or ESOL services in your community or state?
> Are you working for immigrant rights?  Are you part of a movement for
> plain English?  Are you a learning disabilities advocate?  Are there other
> issues you are working on?  Let us know.  Tell us what you are trying to
> accomplish. Tell us what you would like to know about or learn from other
> advocates.
>
> David J. Rosen
> NLA List Moderator