Hi, I’m Dory and you are?...
I’ve always had a bit of a problem with my writing, reading and such. My family and teachers had put it down to me possibly being dyslexic. Not a big enough problem that I can’t read or write but enough to become annoying to me and my readers.
Now I’m in Uni. I need to be writing at a higher level, one that takes me longer to achieve then most. So before I could get help, I need to go for testing. I had tried testing through my gp but I was just chasing my tail there. Everywhere I was sent, they couldn’t help me. The Uni however has it’s own testing area.
Now this testing area is mainly for honour psychology students to get some practice in the field. I didn’t mind that, the student and the teacher overseeing were very nice.
So anyway, over two weeks we did the testing and on my third week the results were in.
I’m not dyslexic...
But I do have a problem.
Now before they would tell me that assure me I am intelligent and that stupidity isn’t my problem. For if it was, I wouldn’t have made it as far as I had. But my problem is preventing me from going further on my own.
My results:
- Full Scale IQ = 45% (better or equal to people in my age group)
- No significant difference between verbal and performance abilities as both fell in range of full scale IQ.
- Verbal Comprehension Index = 39%
- Vocabulary and verbal reasoning abilities were average but general knowledge was low.
- Perceptual Organisation Index (non-verbal, practical problem-solving abilities) = 86%
- Significant difference between VCI and POV.
- Strengths = Perceptual reasoning abilities
- Weakness = Processing speed and working memory. Both of these in the 8% to 9%
And this means?
I work things out better if I can see them rather than them just being in my head.
My working memory or short term memory doesn’t work as well as it should. How does this affect me?
Well when you first learn something it all goes into your working memory, then is categorized and stored in your long term memory, and unnecessary things are chucked. So instead of things being stored like they should, my brain is just chucking it out. So basically, I have a short term memory loss issue.
Dory: I saw a boat.
Marlin: You did?
Dory: Yeah, it went by not too long ago. Follow me.
[few seconds later, she starts zig-zagging in front of him and glancing back]
Dory: Would you quit it? What, the ocean isn't big enough for you or something like that? You got a problem? Huh? Do ya, do ya, do ya? You wanna piece of me? Yeah, yeah! Ooh, I'm scared now! What?
Marlin: What? You said you saw a boat.
Dory: A boat?
Marlin: YES.
Dory: Hey, I've seen a boat. It went by not too long ago. It went... this way. It went this way.
Marlin: Wait a minute, you already told me which way the boat went.
Dory: I did? Oh, no...
Not quite as bad as that. I’m learning somehow, as information is being stored and I have a certain level of intelligence. We believe I learn better through visual aids, like a slide show in a lecture for example, rather than just hearing the facts.
So now it comes down to how they’ll help me.
I get:
- Extra time on assignments when required.
- A recorder for lectures (or personal use. Hehe)
- To do exams electronically to help with spelling/grammar issues.
- More time for Orals.
- Extended library loans
We also concluded that doing visual arts was probably the best thing for me as I am a visual person... now if only I didn’t want to be a technology teacher. XD But that’s a visual things as well. So it’s all good.
Now we know why I don’t remember some conversation. XD