Deaf, Learning Disabilities,
Visual Processing Disorder,
& Irlen Syndrome
Visual Processing Disorder,
& Irlen Syndrome
Introduction
Jodi Becker Kinner
My name is Jodi Becker Kinner. I am a Deaf adult who also has learning disabilities. In high school, I was diagnosed with learning disabilities that included a visual processing disorder and slow processing speed, which was later confirmed in college. My then 14-year-old Deaf daughter, DJK, was also diagnosed with learning disabilities. We have a similar diagnosis as it is hereditary. To better understand the effects of visual processing disorder, click on the link to my “Tearing Down the Wall" story.
Because I didn't want my daughter to go down the same road as me, I had been looking for resources to find a solution, like a tutoring center, the Irlen Institute, and so on., before we could continue with my daughter's reading practice. Unfortunately, I ran into roadblocks while making phone calls. They were unfamiliar with deaf issues, and the cost of an interpreter was another concern. Furthermore, the DVDs were not captioned. I even spoke with some Deaf Education teachers who were unaware of learning disabilities or visual processing issues, which were not addressed in the Deaf Education Program. Most of its content focuses on ASL/English bilingualism, language deprivation, and early language acquisition, but there is no mention of learning disabilities or visual processing issues.
Because I didn't want my daughter to go down the same road as me, I had been looking for resources to find a solution, like a tutoring center, the Irlen Institute, and so on., before we could continue with my daughter's reading practice. Unfortunately, I ran into roadblocks while making phone calls. They were unfamiliar with deaf issues, and the cost of an interpreter was another concern. Furthermore, the DVDs were not captioned. I even spoke with some Deaf Education teachers who were unaware of learning disabilities or visual processing issues, which were not addressed in the Deaf Education Program. Most of its content focuses on ASL/English bilingualism, language deprivation, and early language acquisition, but there is no mention of learning disabilities or visual processing issues.
@http://www.dys-add.com/dyslexia.html#anchorFamousLists
To my knowledge, more deaf and hard of hearing people have learning disabilities and ADHD. We also have more resources now than we did back then. However, access and resources for the Deaf community are limited, particularly in the field of Deaf Education. So I asked myself, "Why can't deaf and hard of hearing people take advantage of the resources and have equal access to them as their non-deaf peers?"
This situation prompted me to create the "Deaf, Learning Disabilities, Visual Processing Disorder, and Irlen Syndrome" website to raise awareness of deaf, learning disabilities, visual processing disorder, and Irlen Syndrome.
The website aims to collect, expand, and share research, resources, and accommodations. This group also provides deaf and hard of hearing students with learning disabilities/visual processing disorder/ADHD/Irlen Syndrome with learning strategies. Teachers, counselors, psychologists, and anyone interested is welcome to join.
Thank you for visiting this website!
Jodi Becker Kinner
This situation prompted me to create the "Deaf, Learning Disabilities, Visual Processing Disorder, and Irlen Syndrome" website to raise awareness of deaf, learning disabilities, visual processing disorder, and Irlen Syndrome.
The website aims to collect, expand, and share research, resources, and accommodations. This group also provides deaf and hard of hearing students with learning disabilities/visual processing disorder/ADHD/Irlen Syndrome with learning strategies. Teachers, counselors, psychologists, and anyone interested is welcome to join.
Thank you for visiting this website!
Jodi Becker Kinner