…is not a typical salutation, considering that February has been voted the worst, most gloomy month of the year, in a multitude of popular (and not so popular) opinion polls over the past decade. It is our last full month of winter and although it sometimes feels like the longest month, February is our shortest month and holds the promise of spring. It still, however, begs the question as to how much these cold winter months with short days impact our mental health, and what are the mood-related repercussions from a lack of sunshine.
Regardless of the month, mental health concerns add an additional layer of complexity to life for individuals living with learning disabilities. The challenges facing children, youth and adults diagnosed with learning disabilities can be vast, and now, more than ever, we need strong advocacy to support those individuals living with neurodevelopmental; disorders such as learning disabilities.
The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) strives to advocate and support the community, with staff and volunteers engaged in a range of activities, such as sharing research and best practices; all in an attempt to positively impact those living with learning disabilities across the country. If you are interested in supporting LDAC, or your provincial or territorial organization, either by volunteering or donating, reach out and see what a difference you can make
Linda Siegel is the former Dorothy C. Lam Chair in Special Education and an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. She received her B.A. from Queens College of the City University of New York and her M.S. and PhD degrees from Yale University.She has over 200 publications on early identification and intervention to prevent reading problems, dyslexia, reading and language development, mathematical concept learning, mathematical learning disabilities, and children learning English as a second language. She has been the President of the Division of Learning Disabilities of the Council on Exceptional Children. Â In 2004, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Goteborg University in Sweden. Â In 2010, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence in Psychological Research from the Canadian Psychological Association. Â In 2012 she was awarded the Eminent Researcher Award from the Learning Difficulties Association of Australia. She has recently published a book entitled Not Stupid, Not Lazy: Understanding Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities. This book is published by the International Dyslexia Association.
In our ongoing celebration of unique intellectual legacies, we turn our attention to Thomas Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931), a luminary whose innovative spirit reshaped modern living. Dubbed “America’s greatest inventor,” Edison’s portfolio is a diverse tapestry of advancements spanning electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. His groundbreaking creations—the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and pivotal developments in electric light bulb technology—have indelibly influenced the industrial world.Behind Edison’s storied career lies a personal journey equally inspiring. Removed from formal education at a young age by his mother, Edison’s learning trajectory was predominantly shaped by homeschooling. This alternative educational path hints at a mind that may have grappled with challenges like ADHD and dyslexia, conditions that are more widely recognized and understood today.
Despite progress, obtaining necessary services and tools for education remains a struggle for parents and young adults with learning disabilities. Working adults also face difficulties revealing their LD for fear of negative consequences.
