Hello all -

I have been following the recent discussions with much interest and -  
a letdown feeling. This is all very interesting and inspiring and  
educational - and doesn't give me any help at all with the adult I am  
tutoring. I have one of many adults who were pushed through school  
with the end result of ~ 2nd grade reading level and some uncertainty  
about how to count (no skill at all in basic math facts.) So what do  
I do with an adult with a) learning disabilities of an unspecified  
sort I am unable to learn because she doesn't know and no records are  
available to us and b) brain trauma from physical abuse as a child  
and c) a life with a wonderful guardian who is increasingly frail and  
worried about her future ability to survive?

I go with the practicalities of the moment, provide the immediate  
needs and model correct social behavior. I search unceasingly for  
any, ANY information that might help me with this one unique person.  
My mentors are not those academically trained in LD. My husband has  
been intensely involved in Assistive Technology for many years now.  
There is much to read out there about LD and yet - none of it is any  
help for this one person. Our literacy program cannot evaluate each  
student, so each tutor must grope for ways to reach these people.

And that is what it comes down to - the individuals who desperately  
want to learn and don't have the resources to help them. Not to  
mention the tutors who desperately want to teach and can find few  
resources to help them!

Any suggestions?

Laurie