High School Students Attend LDA Conference
by Amy Winans, President, LDA of Michigan and Board Member of LDA of America
Special Thanks to the Transition Services Project (TSP) for their generous support of the Program Strand for Teens
 
Researchers substantiates what we know from personal experience and observation; young people do better in school and later in life when they accept and value themselves and can turn this awareness into responsible action. For students with learning disabilities, understanding and accepting themselves can be a daunting task. Too often these young people cannot tell you why they are receiving special education services. They know without question that they have problems with schoolwork and they have a vague notion of being ‘stupid’, ‘lazy’, ‘alone’ and less capable then their peers. These perceptions and fears make it difficult for many of them to feel worthy of the good things in life. By the time they reach their teen years, too often their openness to new learning is compromised by their need to avoid embarrassment over their weaknesses.
 
Self-determination has been defined as “…the ability to define and achieve goals based on a foundation of knowing and valuing oneself” (Field & Hoffman). Success in school, personal relationships, and employment evolves from this foundation. The degree to which one is self-determined is influenced by many factors, including environmental variables and individual attributes. However, skills that lead to greater self-determination can be learned and curriculums are available which can help students gain these skills, to improve their ability to identify and achieve their goals and dreams.

 
Many schools in Michigan are now implementing curricula designed to help learners acquire skills necessary for self-determination.
 
At this year’s fall conference, LDA of Michigan took steps to support schools that are currently implementing self-determination by offering a program strand for high school students. Teachers implementing such activities in their classrooms for those with learning disabilities were invited to come and bring their students. Fifty high school students from five local school districts participated in the teen sessions. They visited the exhibit area, attended two student-only sessions, and joined all attendees at the luncheon. Student sessions were: A User’s Guide to Living with Learning Disabilities and ADD by Ron Hume from LDA of Washington State and a ‘rap’ session with featured speaker, Jonathon Mooney.
 
This event was a huge success. Students described the presenters as ‘…very inspirational’, examples of folks who ‘…overcame all odds and were on the same wave link (as the students)’ and stated that it was reassuring to know that they ‘…were not the only ones with learning disabilities’. These teens enjoyed attending the luncheon in the Big Ten Room. They said they would like to come back again and would recommend the conference to other classmates.
 
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