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Learning Disabilities: Challenges and Benefits 学习障碍带来的挑战与收获

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

Conventional wisdom once held that people with learning disabilities were simply losers, unintelligent, or lazy. Research and understanding in recent decades has led to a 180-degree shift in attitude. With proper diagnosis and support, learning disabilities are no longer insurmountable.

传统观念中认为有学习障碍的人一定是失败者、不聪明或懒惰。但是据近几十年来的研究与了解，这种观念有了180度的大转变。藉适当的诊断与支持，学习障碍不再是渡不过的难关了。

Learning disabilities are neurological disorders that often pass from parent to child. If a significant gap exists between someone’s potential and actual achievement, a learning disability may be present. The term “learning disability” is actually an umbrella term encompassing a set of distinct conditions. For example, dyslexia, a common disability, involves language and reading difficulties. Similarly, dysgraphia and dyscalculia refer to disorders concerning writing and math respectively.

学习障碍是因为神经学上有了瑕疵，而且常常由上一代遗传到下一代。如果某人的潜力与实质表现之间产生了很严重的落差，那很可能就存在学习障碍。「学习障碍」这个词其实是囊括了一整套明显的症状在内。譬如“dyslexia”是常见的学习障碍类型，意指语言和阅读方面有问题。同样地，dysgraphia和dyscalculia则分别指书写障碍和算术障碍。

Initially, learning disabilities might seem wholly negatively. But this is misleading. Many adults with learning disabilities have spent years honing compensatory strategies. Consequently, they often develop a heightened ability to think creatively and often have increased empathy for others with difficulties. Historic examples of remarkable people with learning disabilities include Alexander Graham Bell, Winston Churchill, and Walt Disney.

最初，学习障碍或许像是完全没有希望的毛病，但这是误导的想法。很多具有学习障碍的成年人费时多年磨练出有效的补偿性策略。因此，他们也通常能发展出高阶的能力以进行创造性思考，而且通常也会对其他有困难的人更具同情心。史上具有学习障碍的著名人士有亚历山大贝尔、温士顿丘吉尔、华特迪斯尼。

With the development of new educational strategies and assistive technologies, learning disabilities are no longer the curse they once were. Children with learning disabilities can now look forward to success in school and in life beyond.

随着新发展的教育策略和教学辅助科技，学习障碍不再像当年那般注定失败了。现在有学习障碍的孩子也能期待在校学习成功以及日后生活顺利。

Vocabulary

单词发音

conventional wisdom 传统观点（观念）

insurmountable [͵ɪnsɚˋmaʊntəb!] adj.〔困难或问题〕不可逾越的; 难以克服的; 难以处理的

neurological [͵njʊrəˋlɑdʒɪkəl] adj. 神经学的；神经病学的

umbrella [ʌmˋbrɛlə] n. 总称；统称

encompass [ɪnˋkʌmpəs] v. 包含

dyslexia [dɪsˋlɛksɪə] n. 识字困难；诵读困难

dysgraphia 书写困难

dyscalculia [ˌdɪskæl'kjuliə] n.（脑伤或疾病所致的）计算困难，计算障碍

refer to 意指

hone [hon] v. 把〔刀﹑剑等〕磨光[锋利]

compensatory [kəmˋpɛnsə͵torɪ] adj. 补偿的

consequently [ˋkɑnsə͵kwɛntlɪ] adv. 因此

empathy [ˋɛmpəθɪ] n. 移情作用；同感

curse [kɝs] n. 祸害，祸因

beyond [bɪˋjɑnd] adv. 在更远处；再往后

Sentence of the Day

People with learning disabilities literally have their wires crossed when it comes to specific tasks.

有学习障碍的人做某些特定工作时，脑袋的确是会打结。

课文讲解

Sean, a university freshman, is meeting with Mrs. Tracy, a university counselor:  大学新生尚恩正与学校的学生辅导员崔西太太谈话：

T: Hi, Sean. Come on in. What can I help you with today?

嗨，尚恩，请进来。你今天来这里，有什么特别的事情吗？

S: Thanks for taking the time to see me, Mrs. Tracy. You see, in high school, I was diagnosed with dysgraphia. So, I want to find out what services the university offers students with learning disabilities.

崔西太太，谢谢妳拨冗接见我。我在高中的时候被诊断出有书写困难的毛病。所以想知道我们这所大学对于学习障碍的学生提供了什么服务？

T: As I understand it, that means you have difficulties with writing and fine motor skills. Is that correct?

据我的了解，那意思就是说你在写字和精细动作上有困难，对不对？

S: Yes. In addition to legibility problems, I also find listening and writing at the same time quite challenging.

没错。我除了字迹的能辨度有问题外，同时听与写也很吃力。

T: That may pose a challenge during lectures. University policy encourages the use of voice recorders in class. That way you won’t need to take notes, and you can concentrate on what the lecturer is saying.

这样子课堂上听课就会很吃力。不过大学的政策鼓励在教室里使用录音机，这样一来你就不用记笔记，可以专心听讲。

S: Great. What about assignments? In high school, I was granted an exemption from homework that involved writing. Perhaps I can submit audio or video recordings instead.

太好了，那作业方面呢？高中时，我获准不必交书写的作业。或许我可以缴交录音带、录像带这些视听作业来代替一般功课。

T: Well, let’s decide that on a course-by-course basis. As for exams, we can arrange for them to be computerized. With the right support, I’m sure there won’t be too many difficulties.

那方面我们会个别考虑每一门课程以做决定。至于考试，我们可以安排做计算机测验。有了适当的支持，我相信各种学习困难就不会太多。

S: What a load off my mind! Thanks so much for your help.

这样我就放心多了！多谢妳的协助。

－by Darshan Tyler

Vocabulary

单词发音

freshman [ˋfrɛʃmən] n.（大学等的）一年级生，新生

counselor [ˋkaʊns!ɚ] n.（协助学生解决问题的）指导老师

legibility [͵lɛdʒəˋbɪlətɪ] n.（字迹等的）易读（性）；易识别

pose [poz] v. 造成，引起

grant [grænt] v. 同意，准予

exemption [ɪgˋzɛmpʃən] v.（义务等的）免除

a load off one’s mind  解除思想负担, 使宽心

Sentence of the Day

Sean’s writing tends to look like chicken scratch.

尚恩的字迹一向潦草，难以辨认。

chicken scratch: incredibly messy handwriting that is nearly impossible to read