See also CADDAC Canadian ADD network meeting in Vancouver part 1 and part 3 and CADDAC Conference
Kathy Galluzzo. Remember that name. She’s a mom of a child with ADD and learning disabilities (LD) and gave a talk to us on children with learning disabilities, stigma and advocacy. You can contact her through CADDAC
She combined statistics that were very depressing with some personal stories that totally ripped out your heart and washed it and put it back. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room when she was done and she ended on an amazing note of hope.
I’ve seen a lot of speakers in my time, including people that make $20,000 a speech. None of them could hold a candle to her. She was amazing, mesmerizing, spoke from the head and the heart on ADD, LD and the need for advocacy and hope. She’s not trained as a professional speaker but she’s totally authentic and puts the pros to shame.
If you ever get a chance to hear her GO. I’m trying to find one of her talks on video; if I do I’ll post a link or the clip.
Here are some of her stats.
22% of Canadians are illiterate
17% of Canadian have so many problems reading that they usually don’t
13% of students with severe learning disabilities graduate from high school
38% of students with moderate learning disabilities graduate from high school
83% of students without learning disabilities fail to graduate from high school
Up to 50% of juvenile offenders have undiagnosed learning disabilities.
91% of people in one drug and alcohol rehab center had dyslexia.
ADDers are 7 times more likely do try drugs.
Up to 30% of cocaine users have ADD.
50% of adolescent suicides have learning disabilities.
So why are we as a society failing these children? You’re born with ADD or a learning disability; it’s something you inherit. We don’t punish children who have inherited problems with their bodies, we diagnose and treat them. Why do we do to children (and adults) with inherited conditions involving the brain? Is your brain less valuable than your body?
Why are we punishing these children through neglect? What does that say about us as a society? That we’re killing our children through ignorance, stigma and neglect?
I’m not sure the numbers are that much different in the US or Europe.