Learning Disabilities Assoc of America

LDA has been meeting my needs with the degree of far exceeds my expections.

As a member of the Professional Advisory Board for Learning Disabilities Association of America for 6 years I have witnessed this non profit organization to have professional representatives and volunteers with rigorous intellect who assure advocacy and enhancement of understanding of how to effectively support students and adults with disabilities. This organization provides supports through information dissemination, advocacy and training in order to assure students and adults with disabilities have equitable opportunities for access and success in educational environments and the community.

Delia J. Laing, Ph.D.

I found the LDA to be an amazing organization. Their annual meetings are phenomenal. The people who organize and attend the meetings are really very special people. My little essay about my first experience attending the LDA annual meeting:

"Super Heroes Do Exist! How a Physician Came to Believe in Teachers who are True Super Heroes."

http://wp.me/p4Mi9j-1J

Thanks LDA for your phenomenal work!

LDAA is an organization that really lives "by the people, for the people." At almost every level, the services provided are provided primarily by volunteers. Volunteers hear the needs of families of children with learning disabilities; volunteers with expertise write on the website or in the journals about learning disabilities, providing valuable information to families, teachers and others; volunteers provide informative sessions at local and national conferences that help families and school personnel meet the needs of students with learning disabilities; volunteers offer information and hope to adults with learning disabilities. LDAA also collaborates with other related groups, such as the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) to develop supports groups, design websites, film informational videos, and provide myriad other resources for those who intersect with people with learning disabilities. LDAA advocates for legislation for the good of persons with learning disabilities and related disabilities. Education is the way up for those who have learning disabilities and educating people who do not have learning disabilities about those who do is a significant part of that way up. LDAA and its state affiliates offer both kinds of education!

An outstanding advocacy group for individuals with learning disabilities and related disorders. The group holds an annual conference which brings the latest in research and practice to a wide and varied audience.

In past years, I would have rated LDA much higher. However currently, this organization's leadership is in an echo chamber. They do not appreciate dialog or discussion with individuals or other organizations who hold differing views. This leads to a lack of collaboration, at a time when LDA should be doing everything it can to collaborate with others. The end result is that LDA is not able to be as effective as it could be.

There are so many ways for me to describe LDA. Sure, I can say, it is a "go to" source for resources, new information, and networking on topics related to learning disabilities. Or, I can talk about all the initiatives and partnerships undertaken by LDA which make this organization great. Being on the professional advisory board of LDA has given me insight into the many wonderful ways by which this organization connects to educators, parents, professionals and students. But there are many other nonprofit organizations that do the same. What makes LDA really unique is that it is an organization with a heart. The people really care and they make a difference small steps at a time. Not too many other organizations can make the same claim. LDA really cares!!

I am a special education professor and LDAA has been helping me by providing resources and research based information in my teaching for 26 years.

It is an exemplary organization for all people, especially professionals for students with LDs and parents.

LDA of America is a wonderful organization. It provides support for families and kids with documented learning problems and for professionals who work to provide services. The breadth of resources available and the appropriateness of the materials is unparalled. Quite the support system for all of us who are involved with those with learning issues.

LDA of America changed my life and my teaching career. I was a teacher of special education students at a school in an inner city low socio-economic area. It was frustrating to reach these students and become an ally of their parents in an effort to effectively educate my students. When I was introduced to LDA it was a breath of fresh air. It was a motivated group of parents and professionals working together to bring about change. I was introduced to the latest in cutting edge research and the most respected authorities in the field of learning disabilities. LDA became a big part if my educational career. I first joined LDA in the 1980's and remain a member today even though I have been retired for 7 years. LDA is the leading voice for individuals with learning disabilities throughout the world.

Fantastic. My experience far exceeded my expectation as shown in the rating.

I have been a member of LDA since the 80's and have been very active participant. I've been a keynote speaker at the International conference, and have presented many times at the smaller sessions at the annual conferences. I currently have the honor of serving as the Chair of the Professional Advisory Board (PAB) of LDA. I see first hand the good that LDA does, for parents, kids and adults with LD, and for other professionals. The many online and print resources provided by LDA, the advocacy efforts and a host of other activities that LDA sponsors have helped an increasingly growing group of allies stay aware of the trends, the issues, the science and the strategies that can help kids and adults with LD attain their fullest potential. Through my involvement with LDA, I have been able to work with a group of wonderful, intelligent and passionate people who have given freely of their talents and time to make LDA what it is today: one of the premier organizations committed to improving knowledge and service to individuals with learning disabilities.

Eva wrote:
I had problem learning all my life. My parents provided tutor, special schools, and continued to be my support. However, when I began college my parents became involved in LDA because they were still seeking answers to help me learn. When my parents met other parents they shared ideas and those ideas were shared with me. I felt the ideas were good suggestions, so I got involved in the organization as well. They helped me learned to share my story with others. I saw sharing with others that I made it to college encouraged others and thus a career in special education began. I have been involved since 1976 and I am still involved today. LDA is an organization that is interested in the individual as well as his/her family. Thanks LDA you have made a difference in my life.

I have been involved with LDA since the 80's in the role as a professional who has run schools for kids and adults with learning and attentional issues but also as an adult with the same issues. It is important to note that Individuals with LD/Add issues have life long challenges which continually need to be addressed with the emphasis on strengths and the recognition you still need to take care of business to be successful. It was started by parents and still has a very strong presence and balance between professionals and parents. I would recommend both parents of kids with LD/ADD and adults become involved as you make life long friends and networks for life long changing agendas and supports.

I have been involved with this organization since the late 1970's. It has been an important part of my professional development. Its focus on individuals with learning disabilities, their parents, and those who serve them is steady and consistent. It is a great organization that helps many, and advocates for those needing assistance.

When I was five years old and beginning to learn to read, my mother received a phone call from my teacher, “Katie is such a talkative and bright little girl, but something is not adding up. Katie isn’t learning her letters as quickly as the other students in my class. I’m worried. I think she has dyslexia.” Thankfully, I had a seasoned teacher who recognized the symptoms and a mother who listened to her cries for help. My mother began researching dyslexia and how it impacted learning. She would not stand on the sidelines and wait for someone else to fix me. She was determined to help her baby. My mother attended her first conference, which was put on by the Learning Disabilities Association of America, and felt immediate comfort in knowing that she was at the forefront as the scientists presented their latest research on learning disabilities. She spoke directly to the researchers and communicated with the top psychologists. She studied their research and did something unthinkable at that time; she began to put this research into practice with me as her guinea pig. As a result LDA’s unbelievable wealth of knowledge and my mother’s dedication to my success, I overcame the struggles associated with dyslexia. I love to read, write and most of all, learn.

At twenty years old, I attended my first Learning Disabilities Association of America’s national conference. It was there that I realized not everyone with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, had experienced the same success story as me. I immediately wanted to give back to this phenomenal organization. I joined a team of volunteers that have poured out their hearts to volunteer at events and offer advocacy to those in need of assistance. Today, LDA reaches over 40,000 individuals across the nation and hosts one of the greatest conferences in the field. LDA has a brand new website to increase awareness of learning disabilities, several grants to fund new projects and highlight policies, new board members that are cutting-edge and the opportunity to create more success stories, like mine. LDA’s team work has played a huge role in helping to provide opportunities for success for individuals with learning disabilities and reduce the incidence of learning disabilities in future generations. I am so grateful that LDA has allowed me to be a part of their mission and encourage others to join our efforts.

The Learning Disabilities of America is a great place for parents to find useful information regarding the daily opportunities and challenges resulting from learning disabilities. As an adult with LD and the father of an adult child with AD/HD, I benefit greatly from LDA's resources.

In the mid-1980's I was struggling to understand why I and others who seemed like they should succeed were not. I was working for a not-for-profit organization with individuals who were trying to get their GEDs and secure work opportunities. I came across the Learning Disabilities Association of America and went to a conference they had. Oh my goodness -- I learned so much about myself and about my clients. Since that time I have been active at my state level - Learning Disabilities Association of Washington - as well as National. This is one of the few organizations who is grassroots and looks at research as well as practicality for those with LD. Filled with a cross-section of involved and comitted perople, this is a GREAT organization.

Before I found the Learning Disabilities Association of America I felt lost and confused. Once I became connected with my local affiliate in Atlanta, GA I began to network with other parents and professionals. These connections helped me make informed choices for my child. Through my involvement I learned that LDA advocates for individuals with learning disabilities legislatively both in my state and at the federal level. Knowing there is an organization that is paying attention and looking out for the best interest of my child and all those individuals with specific learning disabilities is reassuring. I also attend national conferences which have provided me with a network of resources from all over the country!