Laker Help Link
Dealing with a Learning Disability
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability (LD) is a disorder that affects the way in which information is received, organized, remembered, retrieved, or expressed by parts of the brain. A learning disability is not a disease so there is no cure, but there are ways to overcome the challenges through identification and intervention, which can include, accommodations, modifications, special programs, counseling, or medication.
If you have already been diagnosed with a learning disability:
- Contact Disability Support Services at 616.331.2490 and provide them with documentation of your LD. Then work with them to get the accommodations you need to be successful.
- If you were on medication before coming to college and they worked, this is not the time to stop. If you feel changes should be made, discuss your concerns with your doctor.
- If the strategies you used before are not working now, work with professionals in the Disability Support Services office to learn new strategies or adapt your old ones to your new academic environment.
- If you're feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, anxious, or stressed, see a counselor in the Counseling Center. These feelings alone make learning more challenging.
If you think you might have a learning disability:
- Speak to someone in Disability Support Services or in the Counseling Center about your concerns and learn about your options.
- A person may have some form of a learning disability that was not very noticeable prior to coming to college, but may struggle academically once they get to college. Understanding the specific challenges and learning strategies to deal with learning disabilities at any age can alleviate frustration, and make successful living and learning much easier.
Contact:
GVSU Disability Support Services
616.331.2490
www.gvsu.edu/dss
GVSU Counseling & Career Development Center
616.331.3266
www.gvsu.edu/counsel
Page last modified September 14, 2010
