Learning Disability Simulation

"Disability Application Day – Learning Disability (Oral expression challenge due to processing deficit)
Your assignment is to do two of the following activities or something comparable. While carrying them out, you must not use any words with an l or an n. You can revise what you say or use different words, but can not use a word with an /l/ or /n/ letter in them. You must maintain the behavior through-out the task. (order a book/request help from a live person, ask for help at store ask for directions, order something at a restaurant)."

I didn't realize how hard it is to eliminate words that have "l" or "n" in them. The hardest part though wasn't trying to find other word, but the reactions of others. While in the grocery store I asked if the cashier could split my payment between two credit cards. I did a lot of gesturing and I relied heavily on their guesses of what I was saying. The cashier asked how much I wanted on each card and I told her I didn't know. The thing is, I did know, I just didn't know how to say it.

On my second attempt I ordered a mean at Costa Vida. When I couldn't think of alternate words or ways to communicate, I just skipped the letter. For example, I ordered a salad so I just didn't pronounce the "l." It was frustrating not being able to get across what I wanted.

This helped me to further realize that the brain of the child with disabilities can be completely equal or even more advanced than his typically developing peers, but because it takes him longer to process it or figure out how to communicate he can be viewed as less intelligent. A child with disabilities isn't less, he just needs another second to process. It's important to remember this because it can ease frustrations when trying to teach my students.