It is estimated that between 5 and 10 percent of the population is affected by learning disabilities. 1.2 million people in Ontario alone have learning disabilities.
Many very successful people have learning disabilities.
For example:
- Very successful athletes with LD include Terry Bradshaw and Ervin “Magic” Johnson
- Leaders in the business world include Donald Winkler, CEO of Ford Motor and Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA and one of the worlds’ richest people
- Other famous individuals with learning problems include Vince Vaughn, Woody Harrelson, Tom Cruise, Keira Knightly, Jay Leno, and Jewel
Studies have been done to identify the attributes of successful individuals with learning disabilities. Several key characteristics were discovered to be common among the successful individuals:
- Self-aware. They have the ability to know who they are and how they learn. Successful individuals with LD don’t let their disability define who they are. They are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and use this knowledge to find a job that best matches their skills and talents
- Proactive. The second characteristic is pro-activity. Successful individuals with learning disabilities take charge of their own lives and destinies. They made decisions, follow through with them and then face the consequences, both positive and negative and learn from their experiences.
- Persistent. Successful individuals persevere. They hold on to their goals despite difficulty and adversity; however, successful individuals also know when to quit. They recognize when to change strategies for pursuing their goal or when to change the goal itself. Sometimes several different strategies have to be tried before the right one is found.
- Goal-setters. Successful individuals set specific, yet flexible goals. They accept that they will have to change and grow in order to pursue their goal. They also understand the importance of breaking the goal into many small steps. Their goals are realistic and attainable.
Related Website Links:
http://www.ldonline.org/lavoie/Some_thoughts_on%85SUCCESS!
The article written by a leading expert in Learning Disabilities describing what it is that successful adults with LD do in order to achieve their success. Some thoughts on…SUCCESS! – Rick Lavoie – October 07, 2004
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0MiWEG-M1g (Todd Cunningham: Successful Canadian Student with a Graduate Degree)