Many different ways to learn

Sitting in elementary school classes, David Siegel knew the material and understood the assignments. But he had trouble copying from the board and couldn't always show what he knew because his handwriting was awful.

Teachers had trouble understanding how he could be so bright yet have difficulties at the same time. They asked him to try different grips on his pencil and to practice again and again.

That wasn't the answer.

David, now a senior at Palmer High School, is twiceexceptional - a term educators use to describe students who are both gifted and challenged enough to qualify for an individualized educational plan or 504, terms typically used in special education.

"We think in a different way," said Morgan Harvey, a twice-exceptional middle school student.

For David, being identified as twice-exceptional came with relief.

"More than I don't want to be the twice-exceptional kid, I don't want to be the stupid kid," he said.

David and Morgan are two of the students who will share their stories at an April 15 event, one of several upcoming programs highlighting twiceexceptional students and those who grapple with other learning differences.

The HillSprings Center, a nonprofit half-day school for students with learning differences or attention deficit disorder, is hosting author Jonathan Mooney on April 12. Mooney is a graduate of Brown University, but didn't learn to read until he was 12 years old. He has attention deficit disorder.

Author Samantha Abeel is also coming to town Monday, to talk about her struggles with math and numbers. (The event is full.) Her book, "My Thirteenth Winter," talks about her battle with dyscalculia, a learning disability preventing her from telling time or counting change.

"She could not for the life of her do math," said Janet Bullock, founder of Innovative Learning Concepts Inc., the Colorado Springs-based company sponsoring the event for area educators and local community leaders.

The company wants to make sure various educators and other community groups move in the same direction and collaborate when it comes to education and learning differences - an issue that affects more than just a few students, Bullock said.

"Everybody learns differently," she said.

More understanding of twice-exceptional students and those who learn differently will mean students get help more quickly, rather than spending time frustrated in class, David said.

It's hard to sit in class knowing you can do the work, he said, but not being able to show it.

Beth Busby, twice-exceptional consultant in Colorado Springs School District 11, said that if students aren't identified as having learning issues, it can lead to hours of wasted education.

People blame themselves for not understanding things the same way their co-worker does, but brains can process information differently.

If people know how they learn best, they can let others know the most effective way to provide information to them, Bullock said.

"There's nothing the matter with that," she said.

David said he's no longer shy about telling teachers what he needs to be successful. In fact, he said, he's uncomfortable about not approaching them because then he wonders what they think when they hear his articulate speech but see his horrible handwriting.

Teachers have to be flexible, Busby said, and it can be hard to find teachers - especially in honors classes - willing to allow a student to e-mail a paper in or have extra time on assignments.

David notes that making accommodations for learning differences does not mean students want an easier curriculum.

"Accommodations need to include rigor," he said.

Sometimes, it's as simple as explaining the concept in a different way, Morgan said, or providing a quieter environment.

It can be hard for some teachers to understand how to address learning differences, David said.

And that it's not something that needs fixing, Morgan added.

"I'm never going to be able to write," David said, "and I'm fine with that."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0394 or shari.griffin@gazette.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL 12: Jonathan Mooney presentation, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, 3225 Broadmoor Valley Road. Mooney is an author and activist for students who have learning differences and attention-deficit disorder. There's also a presentation for only students from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. and a book signing from 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Registration is $10 for adults and $15 for a family; forms can be found at www.hillsprings.org.

APRIL 15: Kids Speak Out. Twice-exceptional high school students from the Pikes Peak region talk about their experiences. Hosted by Colorado Springs School District 11. 6:30-8 p.m. at the Garden Pavilion at the Penrose House, 1661 Mesa Ave. RSVPs due by Wednesday. E-mail your name and how many people will attend to kidsspeakout@yahoo.com. Free.