Q. How can I join the Howard County GT/LD/ADHD YAHOO On-Line Support Group?
GENERAL INFORMATION
Q. What is the purpose of the Individual Differences in Learning Association?
Our parent-led, non-profit organization provides information and support for the parents and teachers of highly able children with learning disabilities (including ADHD). We work closely with the Howard County Public School System to promote a positive view in the development of the unique talents of our twice-exceptional students. Our focus is two-fold: teacher education and student support.
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OUR HISTORY
Q. What is the history of the Individual Differences in Learning Association?
A. In 2001 a small group of parents shared their concerns about their bright children and others like them who were struggling to achieve success in school. These parents were already active in the community as members of other groups: The Special Education Community Advisory Committee (SECAC), Maryland Coalition for Gifted and Talented Education (MCGATE) and the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA). They were aware that other parents were encountering the same frustrations in getting appropriate services for their children as well as access to advanced level classes.
Understanding these diverse and complex needs, this small group of parents was determined to be a voice for these children. A meeting between Trish Budd, a co-founder of the group, Carey Wright, Director of Special Education at the time and Tom Payne, Coordinator, Advanced Level Programs and Fine Arts, led to the collaboration between the two departments and the growing parent group, including co-founders Meg Mekelburg and Lauri Rush. In April 2002, the Advanced Level Programs and Fine Arts sponsored conference by Susan Baum, author of “To be Gifted and Learning Disabled” highlighted a commitment and a tremendous interest in the education of students who are gifted and learning disabled. A summer work group in July 2002, marked the beginning of a collaborative effort between teachers, parents and administrators, to define and identify students fitting the profile of GT/LD and to determine strategies to reach and teach these students with diverse needs and substantial creative and academic potential.
During the 2002-2003 school year, professional development to “Accelerate Achievement for Students who are Gifted and Learning Disabled” was provided to teams of teachers by the Department of Education and the Individual Differences in Learning Association group. The three members of each team came from special education, gifted and regular education. These teams were charged with the task of serving as their school’s resident classroom experts on the identification and teaching strategies of students who are gifted and learning disabled.
In April 2002, with 50 members, IDL began offering a Yahoo! online support group, monitored by Lynne D'Autrechy. In November 2002, with the support of the Department of Special Education, the Individual Differences in Learning Association group presented “An Evening with Jonathan Mooney”. Author of “Learning Outside the Lines”, Jonathan gave an enlightening account of his struggles with dyslexia and ADHD during his school years. Over 300 people, including health care professionals, educators and parents with children attended the event. The message from those who attended was “every teacher and parent should hear what Jonathan Mooney says”. Donna Weaver, former vice president and current board member of IDL and Debbie Bleakney, current Director of Finances and IDL board member and Mike Fennessey current Secretary were all instrumental in making this and many similar events possible for IDL.
In May 2003, the parent group incorporated as the Individual Differences in Learning Association and in November 2003, was granted non-profit status.
In April 2004, IDL was honored with the “Friends of Education Award” by the Board of Education of Howard County. In 2005, IDL was awarded a Horizon CHIP grant (for the year 2006) to continue its Professional Development efforts with HCPSS, under the direction of Dr. Katharina Boser, a cognitive developmental psychologist with a background in scientific research with children with early learning and language disabilities. Dr. Boser worked with the original creators of the workshops (IDL co-founders Trish Budd, Lauri Rush and Meg Meckelburg as well as Donna Weaver and Debbie Bleakney and HCPSS county administrators) and a group of dedicated volunteers including Karen Kyger and Julie Kuhn (along with several other dedicated student volunteers) to develop a “packaged” product (on DVD and CD). These materials would allow presentation to a greater number of total staff at all county schools, with less staff time and resources needed and a greater likelihood of long-term use. In 2007, with Amy Lechter-Siegel's help as a grant writer, we have been able to receive funding through Volunteer Maryland and the Columbia Foundation as well.
In 2006, IDL’s co-founder and president, Trish Budd, was honored by a nomination for Howard County Volunteer of the Year. In 2007, Melisssa Kay nominated and IDL received a “Celebrating Successes for Children” Award from the Howard County Office of Children's Services.
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Q. What is the definition of GT/LD or twice exceptional (2E)?
A. Twice exceptionality refers to coexisting exceptional strengths and weaknesses in learning. The National Educational Organization has recently published "The Twice Exceptional Dilemma" which is a great overview (see www.nea.org).
By definition, a student with a learning disability possesses average to above average intelligence. There is not one
commonly held definition of 2E or GT/LD. As with all “learning disabled” students, there is not one particular profile that fits everyone. According to the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), students who are twice exceptional are those who:
- Possess outstanding abilities in the areas of general intellectual capabilities, specific academic aptitudes, or the arts, and simultaneously:
- Have a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, and are not achieving commensurate with their intellectual ability in one or more of the following areas: oral expression, listening comprehension, basic reading skills, reading comprehension, written expression, mathematics calculation and mathematics reasoning.
The NAGC states that students may not be identified (i.e. go unrecognized) as GTLD because:
- Students have been identified as gifted yet are exhibiting difficulties in school and are often considered underachievers. They may be working at or near grade level. Their underachievement is often attributed to poor self-concept, lack of motivation or laziness.
- Students have been identified as LD, but their exceptional abilities have never been recognized or
developed. Inadequate assessments or depressed IQ scores often lead to an underestimation of their intellectual abilities. The result is that their area of giftedness is not addressed at school.
- Students may appear to possess average abilities and no LD due to the fact that their abilities and disabilities mask each other.
We recommend if you believe your child fits this profile, that you seek a comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist. Some professionals specialize in the area of twice exceptionalities, giftedness, ADHD, Learning Disabilities. See our "Resources" page for more.
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Q. Why does the IDL focus on the education of students who are twice exceptional?
A. Because of the dual exceptionalities, seemingly at opposite ends of the spectrum of education, children who are gifted and learning disabled, can be a puzzling paradox for teachers and parents, and struggle themselves to understand and reconcile their unique gifts and disabling weaknesses. Unrecognized strengths and weaknesses typically result in confusion and stress for the child, resulting in a loss of self esteem. IDL is responding to the need for greater awareness, early identification, appropriate intervention and/or special education and talent development in this population of students.
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Q. What if my child isn't gifted? Should I join IDL, even if my child is not identified as gifted or LD?
A. Only a small percentage of students who are gifted and learning disabled are identified. Professionals working with children diagnosed with ADHD or a learning disability often recognize exceptional gifts and talents in our children. If you are the parent of a child with a learning difference or ADHD, you will undoubtedly have observed areas of brilliance in your child, perhaps an extensive, self-taught knowledge of a particular subject.Your child may have been identified as gifted and been successful in gifted education until this year when his/her grades have dropped and he/she is struggling. An undiagnosed learning disability, coupled with increased academic demands and expectations of greater independence in advanced levels may be the cause. There could be many reasons why a child struggles in school. A psychological assessment might be warrented. If you feel this group could meet your needs and your child’s needs, or you wish to contribute your skills to help our organization and our students we welcome your membership.
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Q. What are the main goals of the Individual Differences in Learning Association?
A. Our goals are focused on teacher education and student support.
GOAL 1
Professional Development/Teacher Education
Early identification and appropriate education of students who are twice exceptional such as those with ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Giftedness are the first and most critical issues to be tackled.
GOAL 2
Information and Support for Families and Students
The second goal is to provide support and assistance directly to students who are twice exceptional. We accomplish this with "activities" such as informal “get-togethers”, presentations and more.
As part of the second goal, we hold monthly speakers and other events to provide information and support for families. We make time at each meeting for an open forum for parents to share experiences and resources. Our yahoo group is an excellent forum for support and information an exchange.
In an effort to create an online avenue for support, we have created the "Howard County Gifted,LD, and ADHD Yahoo On-line Support Group." This provides an opportunity for parents and adults in the lives of students to share ideas and resources, ask questions, voice concerns and lend support to one another. There are many knowledgeable members who participate in our Yahoo Group. This is the best method of networking and acquiring general information and solutions that have worked for others. Our website provides information and links to other organizations and current research.
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Q. What are the expected outcomes of the Professional Development/Teacher Education efforts?
A. The goals of the IDL related to Professional Development/Teacher Education are as follows:
- Enhance skills to recognize and enrich the talents of twice exceptional students
- Clarify roles of service providers to students who are twice exceptional (2E)
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Enhance the knowledge and instructional strategies of school personnel so they may teach compensatory skills and develop talents in order to close achievement gaps. Closing this achievement gap will enable the 2E student to perform at the highest possible level, towards reaching his or her unique potential.
- Support teachers and provide them with skills to help students recognize their individual strengths and weaknesses, while protecting students from humiliation.
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Q. Does the Individual Differences in Learning Association have any interaction with the Howard County Public School System or are you working independently?
A. The IDL does have regular contact with GT, Special Ed and Student Services administrators in the Howard County Public School System. We are involved in a collaborative effort to provide professional development to accelerate achievement for students who are twice exceptional.
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Q. What other collaborative efforts is IDL involved in?
A. Members of the Executive Committee are also on the committees and/or have been designated primary contacts for the Special Education Community Advisory Committee (SECAC), The GT Advisory Committee, Maryland Coalition for Gifted and Talented Education (MCGATE), The Maryland Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (MBIDA), Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (CHADD), the PTA Council of Howard County and the Maryland State Department of Education Advisory Council on ADHD. All groups benefit from a sharing of experiences, expertise and information, which in turn benefits our children and educators and helps us to achieve our goals.
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Q. How can I join the Howard County GT/LD/ADHD YAHOO On-Line Support Group?
A. You may join our Yahoo On-Line support group by visiting our Yahoo website:
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