Finally found a private tutor who gets my learning disability

[Mark2003]

This is a positive post to maybe help someone else who's struggling. I have dyscalculia, and math has always been my personal nightmare. The numbers just... dance around. I've been too embarrassed to tell most of my previous tutors because I didn't want them to treat me differently or think I was making excuses. I finally broke down and told my new private tutor during our first session. I was so nervous. You guys... she was amazing. She didn't make a big deal out of it.

She just said, "Okay, good to know. That means we'll use a lot of different colors, break everything into tiny chunks, and use zero-pressure repetition." She prints things on colored paper for me, uses graph paper to keep numbers lined up, and never, ever makes me feel rushed. It’s the first time in my life I haven't dreaded a math session. If you have a learning difference, please be brave and tell your tutor.

The right one will use that info to help you, not judge you. It has completely changed my outlook on this class. Finding a private tutor who is also an ally is everything.

 

[Willow]

Mark, this is huge.

I think the scariest part about disclosing a learning difference is not knowing how they'll react. Will they infantilize you? Dismiss you? Make you feel broken? Your tutor's response is literally the dream scenario.

The colored paper and graph paper tricks are actually low-key brilliant. I might steal those for my own study sessions (I get number-blind when stressed, even without a diagnosis).

Also, thank you for normalizing this conversation. So many of us struggle in silence because we're embarrassed. You're helping more people than you know with this post.