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November Check In with Us!
by AffyAvo
Last post
November 11th
...See more [A sheep pulls a carrot from a garden] With the end of October and the beginning of November, harvest season comes to mind. Canadian Thanksgiving has passed, American Thanksgiving is to come, Diwali celebrations are occuring and pumpkins are still floating around! I know other cultures have celebrations related to harvest too. What types of harvest celebrations do you celebrate? Do you face any challenges at this time of year? How are you doing today? You are welcome to pop in to this thread multiple times throughout the month and share the tough things and the good things this month.
Meditation and Self-Care
by MistyMagic
Last post
October 18th
...See more September is Self-Care Awareness month! Read more Here! [https://www.7cups.com/forum/projectsandevents/General_2421/SeptemberisSelfCareAwarenessMonthEventsHelpWanted_336603/]          Meditation and Self-care Meditation is a word that can scare many people but it is not all about sitting cross-legged and saying ‘Ohmmm’ (although that works a treat!), it can take many forms and you can also design your own. You probably use a type of meditation when you stir your coffee and think, or whilst waiting for the water to boil to make your tea. Meditation covers a vast array of ways to focus your mind and body into one! Using simple meditation as a form of self-care can be incredibly beneficial for reducing stress, enhancing focus, and promoting overall well-being. Below are ways to incorporate meditation into your self-care routine, followed by some useful resources and ten frequently asked questions with answers about meditation.  So, all-in-all a complete guide to simple mediation! Ways to Use Simple Meditation as Self-Care: * Breath Awareness Meditation: Focus on your breath. Notice how it flows in and out without changing it. Do this for a certain number of breaths, seconds, or minutes.This can calm your mind and reduce stress.You can decide whether it feels more comfortable breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, the opposite or even in and out through your nose or mouth. This way you are in control and do what suits your body the most. Try them all then decide. * Body Scan Meditation: Mentally scan your body from head to toe, noticing any tension or discomfort. This helps to relax your muscles and increase body awareness.This is more complicated and needs more time and can mean that any areas need more attention. * Mindfulness Meditation: Sit quietly and bring your attention to the present moment without judgment. Observe your thoughts as they come and go, helping to reduce anxiety and stress. There is also the Mindfulness Community [https://www.7cups.com/forum/mindfulness/] here on 7 Cups.  * Guided Meditation: Use a recorded guide that leads you through visualizations or relaxation techniques. This is a good option for beginners who need direction. You can also record meditations yourself so they are directly identifiable to you current condition. * Mantra Meditation: Repeat a calming word or phrase (mantra) silently to focus the mind. Common mantras include "Om" or "peace." * Walking Meditation: Practice mindfulness while walking slowly, paying attention to your steps and the sensations in your body. It’s ideal for those who find sitting meditation challenging. * Gratitude Meditation: Spend a few minutes reflecting on things you're grateful for. This can shift your mindset towards positivity and contentment. * Five Senses Meditation: Tune into each of your five senses—what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. This can ground you and bring your awareness back to the present. * Short “Micro” Meditation: Take 1-3 minutes to focus on your breath, a mantra, or a calming visualization. This is perfect for quick mental resets throughout the day. * Counting Meditation: Count slowly from 1 to 100, or 1 to 50 or pick a number, this focuses the mind and the thought together so that energy is synchronised. * Cleansing Meditation: Whilst standing or sitting at the sink concentrate on each task and each circular motion of the items. Or whilst showering focus on the sensation of the water and allow yourself to concentrate on each movement and finally allow the water to run over you washing away all negative energy down the plug hole away to the Earth. * Favourite Place Meditation: Visualise how to get from where you are to your favourite or safe place. Think about each movement, moment and the route shedding any negativity on the way. You can get there even when you are actually somewhere else. You can calm yourself and soak in the good energy, replenishing and refreshing yourself from that place before you return. You can return in a heartbeat if you are ready, if not then retrace your  steps gradually building up strength to face the world again. Each of these meditations can take moments, you can practice them almost anywhere, and, when you have tried them a few times you can even use them in busy meetings or stressful times. ------------------------- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Meditation: * Q: How do I start meditating if I’ve never done it before?  A: Start by setting aside 5-10 minutes in a quiet place. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. Don't worry about "doing it right"—just pay attention to your breath. * Q: How long should I meditate for as a beginner?  A: Start with 5-10 minutes a day and gradually increase as you become more comfortable. Even short sessions can be beneficial. * Q: What should I do if my mind keeps wandering?  A: It’s normal for your mind to wander. When you notice it happening, gently bring your attention back to your breath or focus point. Over time, this will become easier. * Q: Do I need to sit in a specific posture to meditate?  A: No. Sit in any position that is comfortable for you. The most important thing is to maintain a relaxed and alert posture. You can even meditate lying down if you wish, but you might be more likely to fall asleep. * Q: Can I meditate if I don’t believe in spirituality?  A: Absolutely. Meditation doesn’t require any specific spiritual belief. It can be practiced simply for relaxation, focus, and mental clarity. * Q: Is it better to meditate in the morning or evening?  A: There’s no “better” time. Morning meditation can set a peaceful tone for the day, while evening meditation helps to unwind and relax. Choose a time that fits your schedule.The more you do short meditations the more you will find new ways and times. * Q: What are the benefits of meditation?  A: Meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, increase self-awareness, promote emotional health, and enhance sleep quality. Long-term practice has been shown to positively affect overall mental well-being. * Q: How do I stop falling asleep during meditation  A: Try meditating sitting up rather than lying down. You can also open your eyes slightly or try meditating earlier in the day when you’re more awake. But, hey, what's so bad about falling asleep as long as you are safe, some people use it as a sleep aid. * Q: How long does it take to see the benefits of meditation?  A: Some benefits, such as feeling more relaxed, can be experienced immediately. However, for long-term effects like reduced anxiety or improved focus, consistent practice over weeks or months is typically required. * Q: What if I don’t have a lot of time to meditate?  A: You can still benefit from just a few minutes of meditation each day. Micro-meditations, where you focus on your breath or surroundings for 1-3 minutes, can be very effective. ------------------------- By integrating meditation into your self-care routine, you can develop a practice that not only calms the mind but also strengthens your overall mental and emotional well-being. There are many accessible resources to help you get started, and with time, even brief moments of mindfulness can offer profound benefits. ☺️Share your ways to meditate here! ☺️Do you meditate? Or are you going to try? ☺️Do you have any meditation questions? ☺️Would you be interested in a group meditation here?
Interview Series - Master List!
by AffyAvo
Last post
September 9th
...See more Our series 'Interview Diaries' allows the community to share their direct living experience with conditions and disabilities and for us to learn from each other. To learn more about Interview Diaries, share as an interviewer or interviewee, and to be notified of new interviews via the taglist please see Call of Applications [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/CallForApplicationsToBeInterviewed_276642/] List of Interview Diaries:- 2022 Interviews:- Non-Epileptic Seizures  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/NonEpilepticSeizuresWithAudienta_275839/] Turner Syndrome  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/TurnerSyndromeWithAnimeweebu123_276707/] Spending Time With A Surfer @theboymoana [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/SpendingTimeWithASurfertheboymoana_276777/] Learning About FND  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/LearningAboutFNDWithEmpatheticListener0309_277278/] Interview about being Deaf  [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/InterviewaboutbeingDeafwithFrenchMarbles_277578/] Experiences With Celiac Disease [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/TheWholesomeMistyMagicTellsHerExperiencesWithCeliacDisease_277824/] Dissociative Identity Disorder with @DichotomousDetia [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/DissociativeIdentityDisorderwithDichotomousDetia_277991/] An Interview With @AffyAvo on Hereditary Angioedema♥ [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/AnInterviewWithAffyAvoonHereditaryAngioedema_278243/] Endometriosis and Me: an interview with @Lilyfae00 [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/EndometriosisandMeaninterviewwithLilyfae00_278539/] PoTS and Me: An Interview with @wonderfulRainbow817 [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/PoTSandMeAnInterviewwithwonderfulRainbow817_278731/] Tendonitis and Misdiagnosis: Rachel's Experience With Chronic Pain [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/TendonitisandMisdiagnosisRachelsExperienceWithChronicPain_278839/] Pervasive Developmental Disorder: Interview with @Goalsforlife [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/PervasiveDevelopmentalDisorderInterviewwithGoalsforlife_280227/] WarmLightXO Sheds Some Light On PCOS [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/WarmLightXOShedsSomeLightOnPCOS_280813/] Learning With Lucy: Her Experience With Epilepsy [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/LearningWithLucyHerExperienceWithEpilepsy_284621/] 2 [https://www.7cups.com/forum/DisabilitySupport_47/InterviewSeriesInclusivityDiaries_2386/LearningWithLucyHerExperienceWithEpilepsy_284621/]024 Interviews:- Living with Multiple Sclerosis [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/ArticlesResourcesConditionSpecificInformation_458/InterviewDiariesGrabaCuppaandLearnaboutMultipleSclerosis_325500/] Living with Cerebral Palsy [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/DisabilityDiary_2664/InterviewDiariesLivingwithCerebralPalsy_326155/] Living with Meniere's Disease [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/DisabilityDiary_2664/LivingWithMenieresDisease_327897/] Living with CFS/ME [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/DisabilityDiary_2664/InterviewLivingwithCFS_328938/] Living with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/InterviewsDiaries_2664/InterviewDiariesLivingwithRA_333251/?post=3610799] Being a wheelchair user [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/InterviewsDiaries_2664/InterviewDiariesBeingaWheelchairuser_336321/?post=3653342] Living with hED and POTS [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/InterviewsDiaries_2664/InterviewLivingwithhEDSandPOTS_336838/?post=3659993] T [https://www.7cups.com/forum/disabilities/DisabilityDiary_2664/LivingWithMenieresDisease_327897/]his list is updated as we post more Interviews. Nov 2024
What is the difference between Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disability, and IDD?
by Heartsandrosesandpaws
Last post
October 26th
...See more  People. May often  what is difference between intellectual disability AND  developmental disability?  Developmental Disability is disabilities that start before  18 years old .   These   Kinds of disabilities can include limitations in cognition, motor performance, vision, hearing and speech, or behavior.  Some examples of these types of disabilities are ADHD, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy, spina bifida, fetal alcohol syndrome , Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and autism spectrum disorders .       Intellectual disabilities is  characterized by mental limitations and difficulty with adaptive behaviors. Part of this means lower than normal  having a harder time doing daily  living tasks.  Some examples of syndromes that may result in intellectual disabilities are Down syndrome, fragile x syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome.  I hope this  help explain the difference between those  two types of disabilities.
The 7 types of learning disabilities
by MistyMagic
Last post
October 20th
...See more I was asked about this topic so thought I would do a little research to see what I could find:- Learning disabilities are neurological conditions that affect a person's ability to receive, process, store, and respond to information. These difficulties are specific and impact particular areas of learning, despite average or above-average intelligence. There are seven primary types of learning disabilities, each affecting different cognitive functions. 1. Dyslexia * Explanation: Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that primarily affects reading. People with dyslexia may struggle with reading fluency, decoding words, spelling, writing, and comprehension, despite normal intelligence. It is one of the most common learning disabilities. * Signs: Difficulty with phonemic awareness, problems recognizing common words, slow reading speed, and trouble with reading comprehension. * Help: Early intervention, phonics-based teaching methods, assistive technology (like audiobooks), and one-on-one tutoring can be beneficial. Source: Dyslexia Help - International Dyslexia Association [https://dyslexiaida.org/] 2. Dysgraphia * Explanation: Dysgraphia affects writing abilities. It is not just about poor handwriting but also involves difficulty with spelling, organizing ideas, grammar, and the physical act of writing. It impacts both visual-motor coordination and linguistic skills. * Signs: Illegible handwriting, inconsistent spacing, difficulty with grammar, poor sentence structure, and trouble organizing thoughts on paper. * Help: Occupational therapy, assistive technology (such as typing software or speech-to-text tools), and structured writing exercises can help improve writing abilities. Source: National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) - Dysgraphia [https://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?q=National+Center+for+Learning+Disabilities+(NCLD)+-+Dysgraphia&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart] 3. Dyscalculia * Explanation: Dyscalculia affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and mathematical concepts. It can result in difficulty with basic arithmetic, understanding time, recognizing patterns, and comprehending math symbols. * Signs: Trouble with simple calculations, difficulty understanding time, poor number sense, difficulty with money management, and trouble memorizing math facts. * Help: Visual aids, math tutoring, using concrete objects (like counters) to demonstrate concepts, and math-related games can help enhance learning. Source: LD Online - Dyscalculia [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7082241/] 4. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) * Explanation: APD affects how the brain processes auditory information. It is not related to hearing loss but rather to the brain’s ability to process sounds. Children with APD may struggle to understand spoken language, especially in noisy environments. * Signs: Difficulty following verbal instructions, trouble distinguishing between similar sounds, frequently asking for repetition, and difficulty in noisy settings. * Help: Using visual aids, minimizing background noise, and providing written instructions along with verbal ones can help support students with APD. Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - Auditory Processing Disorder [https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2023_AJA-23-00035] 5. Language Processing Disorder (LPD) * Explanation: LPD is a subtype of APD, but it specifically affects the processing of language. It can interfere with understanding and expressing both spoken and written language. This disorder affects both receptive language (understanding) and expressive language (speaking or writing). * Signs: Difficulty in understanding complex sentences, trouble expressing thoughts verbally, frequently misinterpreting questions or instructions, and limited vocabulary. * Help: Speech-language therapy, using visual prompts, and breaking down information into simpler parts can be beneficial. Source: LD Resources - Language Processing Disorder [https://www.ldresources.org/] 6. Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD) * Explanation: NVLD affects the ability to interpret non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Individuals with NVLD often have strong verbal skills but struggle with tasks that require visual-spatial understanding or motor coordination. * Signs: Poor visual-spatial skills, difficulty with coordination, trouble understanding abstract concepts, and poor social skills. * Help: Social skills training, occupational therapy, and strategies to improve visual-spatial skills can assist those with NVLD. Source: Child Mind Institute - Non-Verbal Learning Disorder [https://childmind.org/article/what-is-non-verbal-learning-disorder/] 7. Visual Processing Disorder (VPD) * Explanation: VPD affects how the brain processes visual information. This disorder can impact reading, writing, math, and the ability to understand charts or graphs. People with VPD may have difficulty interpreting visual cues such as shapes, letters, and spacing. * Signs: Difficulty distinguishing between similar-looking letters, trouble tracking lines while reading, difficulty with puzzles, and poor hand-eye coordination. * Help: Occupational therapy, using large-print materials, and breaking down visual tasks into smaller, manageable steps can be useful. Source: Understood.org - Visual Processing Disorder [http://understood.org] ------------------------- General Strategies for Helping with Learning Disabilities: * Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Tailored plans that provide special education services and accommodations in school settings. * Assistive Technology: Tools like text-to-speech software, audiobooks, and voice recognition can aid in learning. * Structured Teaching: Breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps, using visuals, and offering hands-on learning can enhance understanding. * Regular Assessment and Support: Frequent monitoring and providing personalized support are essential for ensuring progress. Each of these learning disabilities requires specific interventions and accommodations tailored to the individual. Identifying learning disabilities early, through thorough assessments by specialists such as psychologists or educational professionals, can make a significant difference in a student's educational experience.
Learning disability
by Nemo2023
Last post
August 6th
...See more People treat me differently because of my disability
Bad time in chatroom
by theboymoana
Last post
July 26th
...See more Am I only one have very bad time in chat rooms sometimes ? All the time I get people say things like speak English and don’t understand I am saying and say then learn about things I can’t just go learn. People get mad at me not understanding things or people are mean if I say can’t do something. i am tell before I am burden to my family because don’t think will have job when I grow up because my disabilities even though family say will always take care me is maybe people always think is all disable people can have job or something? i have rare syndrome, intellectual disability profound deafness, epilepsy learning disabilities, nonverbal adhd ptsd autism anxiety and hands do not work very good I can’t write get dressed my own use computer need help in bathroom and shower. people act like because can use cups is nothing wrong and ignore I try to say how hard I work to use cups and how is VERY big deal can read and write my mommy teach me and from when my parents take me out of school when I am 9 until now I am 13 is very hard work learning read and write on phone and iPad with lot of help autocorrect. Is very hard to because first language is sign language and very confusing sometimes to make my brain know how to say signs in English words people do not know how much work is to me be here and I am proud of me a lot !!! But I get very sad how chat rooms is not inclusive sometimes. Is lot lot really good people I like a lot see in them but still doesn’t make me forget all mean things other people say to me i don’t understand why is ok to be mean to some one for things cant help.disabled people all are different and we deserve to have chat rooms to go talk to people to :(
WalkerSnail & Moana Space
by FrenchMarbles
Last post
January 8th
...See more This forum is for @Walker7957 and @theboymoana to talk to each other. If you have any problems let @FrenchMarbles know.
Dyslexia
by Bonnes
Last post
December 25th, 2023
...See more Hi, I just wanted to know if anybody else has dyslexia and how you are dealing with it. I have a type of dyslexia were my two brain halfs don t interact with eachother as theys should. In "normal" brains the two halfes communicate a lot with eachother and therefor "combine" different parts of the brain when, for example learning, while my brain halfs could be called asocial, because they just don t share information. That results in me not having as many problems reading (although it took me way longer to learn as normal people) as other people with dyslexia, but I have major problems with spelling, numbers and simply learning things. Vocabs are the worst, I recognise the word, know I ve heard it many times before and also it s translation/meaning, but the other part of my brain, which stores these kinds of things, dosen t feel like sharing, or maybe never got the information because when I studied the forst half of my brain didn t pass on the information. I ve been trying to learn where left and right is for the past 18 years and still get in wrong a lot. It s ridiculous. Numbers are my worst enemies. I always mix them up and say 45 instead of 54 or something, 36 instead of 63. Also my brain just can t comprehand when there is the same number in a row, like 00000 or something, to tell you if there are 4, 5 or 6 zeros in this row, I d need to tick off or cross out the zeros I counted already. Remembering numbers is pretty much impossible. It took me 5 years the learn my phone number and I still don t know my parents phone number or anything. Everythings just really frustrating, especially when it comes to studying something and I often reach the point were I just want to give up on it all together because wheres the point? There is a high chance of me beeing incapeable of remembering it anyway. So I just wanted to ask if there are people with the same/a similar problem and how they get over this frustration or have any tricks to on how to study?
Mental health and disability
by unassumingPeach6421
Last post
December 20th, 2023
...See more I have disabilities and I put so much pressure on myself to be perfect. This has been so hard, I have been so scared to try. I'm 22 and I haven't gotten far in life at all. I've wasted years trying to get into an architecture program. I still want to go for it, I guess I'm just nervous. I really want to do a better job and be kind to myself. I hope I can move forward positively. I'm going to make it and be okay. I hope everyone stays safe and keeps trying, you're worth it and you don't have to be perfect. What you have and who you are is beautiful!
Accepting my disabilities
by Elylouise
Last post
December 13th, 2023
...See more Hello, I am new to this group having just been diagnosed with Autism, ADHD and language disorder. I am having a rough time accepting my new diagnosis, especially my language disorder as my intelligence was kind of forced down my throat as a child so once i started showing signs of difficulties with learning it caused some trauma and made/makes me question my intelligence. I am also just trying to acknowledge that I have always been disabled and no one noticed/cared enough to do anything about it. I thought joining this community might be helpful in my journey to acceptence and help me find ways to manage it better.
Dyspraxia/DCD
by IndigoWhisper
Last post
December 10th, 2023
...See more Dyspraxia is estimated to be quite common yet almost no one in the USA has heard of it. In fact Developmental Coordination Disorder (the name recently adopted in the USA) is just that recently adopted. This condition is life long yet there is little support or identification of kids amd even less for adults. Some kids grow out of it- most manage to mask the coordibation issues that are most obvious in childhood but continue to struggle in different ways as adults. Adulting is just hard for us we struggle with things that most people find easy yet we don't look obviously disabled so people don't recognize how nervous we are and how hard we are working to not be a walking disaster all the time - because our coordination is still really really bad and we are still really clumsy and awkward and perpetual screw ups in many areas we just learned how to somewhat compensate. We still spill, lose, knockover, drop stuff a lot, we put way to much effort in to look kinda normal, we still probably have awful handwriting, we still get lost a lot more then most. We just worked so hard learning to compensate and cover it up that it's not so obvious anymore so we can pass. Having highly traumatic childhoods are sadly common for those with undiagnosed/unsupported Dyspraxia. And they leave a mark. Many of us come out of child hood with huge self-esteem issues, imposter syndrome, mental health issues - we struggle, we drift through life, we rarely reach our potential. We are thrown away. We just don't have the tools or foundation to succeed because the only thing we learned was how to pass and hate ourselves - the world is always beating is up so it's just how it is right?. DCD is not a new condition it has just had a lot of names, some of them very hurtful. It is common for those with Dyspraxia to also have leanings or outright diagnosis with other forms of neurodiversity. Some of Dyslexia, most have *either* ADHD or Autism some have both. Dyspraxia has so little exposure in this country that I was told to just "take" an Autism spectrum label despite very very clearly not belonging on the Autism Spectrum unless it is seen to encompass someone who is in many ways the polar opposite of Autistic. Rather then having restricted interests I have an abundance, I neither require nor desire an over-regimented world. I make eye contact. I can be quite social although like many with dyspraxia I was bullied a lot and ran into social problems for Dyspraxia and ADHD related reasons rather then Autism ones. I fit on the ADHD side of thing the only thing I have in common with Autism is being Neurodiverse and that *some* with Dyspraxia do fit on the Autism spectrum. Dyspraxia can have diverse presentations also. It's cardinal signs in childhood are clumsiness, struggling with right and left, amounts of force to use, difficulty tying shoe laces, problems with handwriting, problems with coordination, spacial perception. Secondary mental health issues are common because we often have really bad childhoods, maybe we are also prone to it but the horrid experiences do not help. Some reasons we tend to have social difficulties as children - Difficulty regulating and recognizing how far away to stand, bumping into people, dropping stuff, seeming carelessness with other's belongings, , often bad at sports/last picked on the playground, difficulty with physical sequences, may have difficulty regulating volume of voice (to soft or two loud), *some* also have difficulties with speach itself, may have joint laxity/hypermobility/and or low muscle tone, poor sense of time, poor spacial perception, poor organizational skills, some have poor balance. Because we struggle with these things we may have poor fitness, no self confidence, few successes in life, we may be labelled with the R word (I was) for the early coordination problems and schools may refuse to educate as (happened to me). This is not an exhaustive list and again many of us also have either ADHD or Autistic overlap/cocurrance. Because of the misunderstandings and challenges of Dyspraxia we grow up bullied, misunderstood, frustrated, often friendless - we don't really get the opportunity for proper socialization and the foundation to be part of society properly. As teens and adults we are awkward, bad at "basic: stuff so why would anyone give us a chance to show them how we can shine and how capable we actually are - many of us don't even know. Many of us are actually very smart and capable but the things we are good at are just nonsensical to society and we learn differently. With support and understanding we are wonderful capable people but by the time we reach adulthood those who don't get support have no foundations and are covered in psychological scars.
questions
by blissfulTouch29
Last post
August 17th, 2023
...See more Hi, everyone How are you guys doing today? Below I have some thinking questions for you guys. If you feel comfortable you can explain more but if not that's okay and I will answer the questions after. 1. When did you find out you had a disability? 2. Who made you feel like you are like everyone else or made you feel safe? 3. When do you notice your disability? 4. What were your struggles in school? If you have any questions for me please comment them below.
My story
by blissfulTouch29
Last post
August 11th, 2023
...See more Hi, everyone. How is everyone doing today? I am going to share my story about my learning disability and being vision impaired so please bear with me and if you have any questions please put them in the comments below. I will first talk about my vision impairment and then I will talk about my learning disability. When I was in elementary school I started vision therapy roughly around third grade I believe. My vision therapist was amazing and her name was Mrs. Dawn. She would push into my classes like in my resource room when I was in third grade so I didn't have to miss anything and she made me feel like she cared and explained what we were doing and stuff like that. She came with me to middle school which was 7th and 8th grade. In 7th grade, I had Mrs. Dawn would come into my English class to do vision therapy so I never had to miss class. However, In 8th grade, I had a vision teacher named Ms. Pam and I didn't like her at all because she never came into my class to do therapy and I was also missing something important she would get mad at me when I was late to see her and one of the classes I was always missing was reading lab and it was getting so frustrating. Then 9th grade which was high school I needed vision therapy and I had Ms. Pam again but it was my check out so I didn't have to see her anymore. I know it sounds bad. Next is my learning disability I found out more that I had a learning disability in 9th grade because I was more aware but in 7th and 8th grade I was in spilt classes which meant that in some subjects I was in 15:1:1 classes and in some subjects I was in regular-sized classes. I also had extra time on tests and separate locations for tests and tests read. I had a band teacher in middle school who helped me a lot especially when I was bullied and frustrated with myself whether it was just being hard on myself or it was about the tests. I also started band late people thought I couldn't take band or Spanish because of my disability. 9th grade I was in 15:1:1 for my four major subjects and then band and Spanish were regular classes. 10th grade I was in spilt 15:1:1 for two subjects and regular for two subjects plus band and Spanish. Then 11th and 12th grade I was in all regular-sized classes for the four major subjects and band and Spanish were also regular. I had a lot of favorite teachers that pushed me when they needed to and encouraged me when they needed to and I still remember conversations that I had and I can go deeper if you want me to. Thank you for your time.
Workout schedule and ADHD
by smolLITTLEpotato
Last post
June 8th, 2023
...See more Hello! Does anyone here with ADHD work out regularly? I have a hard time following workout routines I've made for myself (I have trouble following any sort of routine whoops) Any insight is appreciated💖

Welcome to the Disability Support Community!

This is an inclusive community where people can seek and provide support and post about topics related to learning disabilities, chronic pain, chronic illnesses and conditions, physical disabilities and developmental disabilities. You are welcome to join in even if you don't used disabled as a label for yourself.

There are a number of ways to get involved and be supported. We have a pop up teen chatroom and a 24/7 adult chatroom.

There are guides for Chronic Pain and T2 Diabetes
There are Q&A sections for Disabilities and Chronic Pain

Members may connect with a listener who has disabilities, chronic pain, cancer, diabetes, adhd or autism listed as a topic and there are listeners with disabilities supporting people with disabilities

We encourage people to post new threads and respond to others in the forums! Some good ways to get started are to introduce yourself and to join our tag list to be notified of weekly check ins and events. We also have an Interview Series: if you would be open to sharing more about yourself and want to be interviewed.

Looking to be even more activity in the Disability Community? Join as a leader!

*Note we are inclusive of all disabilities but ADHD and Autism each of their own communities which may be of interest to some of you.

Community Guidelines

🌟 Please be respectful of everybody's thoughts and opinions.

🌟 Don't think you are alone, so please share

🌟 Please be patient if you feel like your concern hasn't been addressed yet; we are working hard to add more leaders and supporters.

🌟 If you have any concerns, reach out to a leader or make a post.

🌟 For Listeners only - please remember that you are here to give support, if you are seeking support then please switch to your Member account.

🌟 Most of all - don't forget to be awesome! You are loved and accepted here, no matter what!

Guidelines For Using AI 


We all want the Disability Support Community to be a safe place where people are able to be their authentic selves and receive support. We understand that AI tools can be helpful in reducing barriers, allowing people to better express themselves, and allowing those with some disabilities to be able to read, write, and post, but excessive, or complete use of AI can feel robotic and reduce supportive person-to-person interactions. It can also lead to false impressions of the poster. We want to try and avoid this and help our Community to be as inclusive and as welcoming as possible to all users.


What is AI?

AI is short for ‘artificial intelligence’ which is software, a program or algorithm that works to sort, order, and combine data to give a response or answer to a question or input. Artificial intelligence is the ability of a computer, software, or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks that are commonly associated with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason. As yet no AI’s match full human flexibility over wider domains or in tasks.

Some of the most common examples of AI in use today include: 

  • ChatGPT: Uses large language models (LLMs) to generate text in response to questions or comments posed to it. 

  • Google Translate: Uses deep learning algorithms to translate text from one language to another. 

  • Netflix: Uses machine learning algorithms to create personalized recommendation engines for users based on their previous viewing history. 

  • Tesla: Uses computer vision to power self-driving features on their cars.



If using AI tools please adhere to the following:


  • Include some of your own personal expression. This could come from a detailed, personal prompt to the AI tool or include some of your own words with a post.

  • Cite which AI tool(s) you used, which applies both to AI-generated and AI-edited text as well as images too. For instance, if you use Dragon to voice type then say so and if the text is AI-edited include that fact too.

  • Avoid posting misinformation. AI sometimes creates personalized anecdotes, facts, or references. If you are sharing an experience, don’t post an AI-fabricated one. If posting information check that it is correct and aligns with trustworthy sources.

  • Cite the source of your information. It can be important to know and understand the source of information posted, AI-generated content may draw information from their database so try and use factual sites that can be checked and that aren’t misleading.

  • Don’t make threads in excess. AI can make it fairly quick to create a lot of content. We want to give everyone’s posts a chance to be seen. Please don’t post a large amount of threads in a short period of time, this is called ‘flooding’ and can prevent other posts from being seen.

  • If you do feel like there’s a lot you want to state on one topic, consider making multiple posts within the same single thread. Or create your own ‘Disability Diary’ thread and post there, this will increase your visibility, and those who reply will be notified when you add another post.

  • Follow the guidelines. You are responsible for what is posted from your account, even if AI was used in the creation of the post, so please double-check what you write and post!


For more information please read this post by @Heather225 - 7 Cups Community Director.


Do’s ✅  and  ❌ Don’t List:


Do - Humanize your post with your own expression and words

Do - Cite the AI tool(s) you use

Do - Make ONE thread and post to it if there are several posts you want to make

Do- Read things over and ensure the guidelines are being followed

Don’t post something that is entirely AI-generated with little input from yourself

Don’t post misinformation

Don’t flood the forums with AI threads, or multiple threads


If in doubt please ask @MistyMagic  (Adults and Teens) or @AffyAvo (Adults) or consider joining the Disability Community Support Team. More information Here







Community Leaders
Community Mentor Leader
Community Mentor / Teen Community Star
Group Support Mentor / Teen Star