That is a very important question, Julie. 

 

Based on what I've seen, I feel that learners psychological/mental
health needs require attention first and foremost. If a person is
struggling with depression, their ability to concentrate and remember is
greatly diminished. Management and treatment can help learners who face
mental health challenges focus on their learning.

 

In some cases, low self-esteem can be a product of learners upbringing.
Learners in that situation need opportunities to feel successful to
continue towards their learning goals. If they'd had these opportunities
when they were initially enrolled in school, they would have stuck with
it. A little bit of positive encouragement and praise can go a long way.
Whenever one of the learners I work with does something well, I tell
them so and note such efforts as progress. This helps learners feel
empowered.  

 

From: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of
JulieEnnis at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 10:40 AM
To: learningdisabilities at nifl.gov
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 2033] Re: Research

 

I sometimes wonder if there is a chicken-and-egg factor here. Are the
psychological symptoms such as low self-esteem, depression etc a result
of low literacy and the way that impacts an adult in their working life,
or could certain conditions such as depression be factors which have
impacted academic learning and therefore be one of the contributing
causes of low literacy/numeracy? 

 

In other words, which comes first, the learning struggles or the
depression/low self esteem?

 

Julie H. Ennis M.ED

Education Consultant

Fairfax VA





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