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digger1
I am the frontman of evil, Bobby!
Joined: Sep 13, 2007
Age: 35
Posts: 2228
Location: Augusta, Maine
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 Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject: left and right, add or subtract... |
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anyone else have trouble with their left and right? I mean, I know my left hand and right hand but if I ask which direction to go or if someone tells me to take a left and I have to in that moment, I don't know which way to go. I get them confused a lot of the time. Same thing with port and starboard. I always get them confused. I can never remember which is left and which is right. I'll remember if I thought about it for a while.
I think that's why I'm so bad with math. I can do basic math just fine up to long division but when it comes to fractions, forget about it. I don't remember which order to do the problem in like you're supposed to add or subtract the two bottom numbers and then the top numbers or something.
Do you know of any condition that would cause this? Is there any treatment for it aside from drilling it into my head and memorizing the rules of math verbatim?
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I used to be a Mohel but had to quit because I was only paid in tips
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grinningcat
Snowy Owl
Joined: May 12, 2008
Posts: 134
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject: Re: left and right, add or subtract... |
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It is almost painful for me to think in left and right. I have to think carefully, because if I am not paying attention, I will invariably point a different way than what I have just told someone if asked for directions. Forget north and south, to me that is up and down. It can be a dyspraxic symptom. I also switch dominance of hands, even in the course of a meal - I switch the fork back and forth. I can mirror write with both hands at the same time, or separately with each hand, writing forwards or backwards with either hand without too much problem. There is no solid line between left and right for me.
One trick you can do is wear a piece of jewelry on your left hand, like a ring, kind of a visual reminder.
I had a lot of trouble in math as well, although I think there is a little dyslexia in play there. I remember solving a problem in chemistry class, and I had every bit of the math right - except that I plugged in the wrong numbers right at the start of the question. It took me a couple times looking at what I had done to see I had switched numbers around. I was initially upset at the teacher, because in fact I had done everything correctly so I demonstrated *I knew* how to do the problem, so what did it matter that the numbers were different - she didn't see it that way, sadly (I suppose she was ultimately right, messing up numbers in chemistry can be somewhat, shall we say "explosive"?   ).
Maybe if you have a set of memory cards to help you with the rules of math? If you don't actively switch numbers around like I do, it might be worthwhile.
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Those who don't hear the music, think the dancer quite mad.
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Age1600
Bonita-Azul
Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Age: 23
Posts: 1826
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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Yup left and right are horrible if i didnt have my hands to back me up, i would be so screwed lol
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Dxed Classic Autism(moderate to severe as a child, now moderate to high functioning as an adult) & Dxed Tourette Syndrome... 
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Jayman
Sea Gull
Joined: May 26, 2008
Posts: 200
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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| I have this exact same thing to. I used to get math wrong in first and second grade only because I got the sign mixed up. Same thing with lefts and rights. Although I'm not dyslexic my B's and D's get mixed up every once and a while. It is called Nonverbal Learning Disorder. It is a result of a lower performance IQ than your Verbal IQ. I am still intelligent. I once heard a story of a women with an IQ of 180 that had this problem. |
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blackcat
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 17, 2006
Age: 17
Posts: 667
Location: Within my own mind in an attempt to escape this world we live in.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: left and right, add or subtract... |
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| grinningcat wrote: | It is almost painful for me to think in left and right. I have to think carefully, because if I am not paying attention, I will invariably point a different way than what I have just told someone if asked for directions. Forget north and south, to me that is up and down. It can be a dyspraxic symptom. I also switch dominance of hands, even in the course of a meal - I switch the fork back and forth. I can mirror write with both hands at the same time, or separately with each hand, writing forwards or backwards with either hand without too much problem. There is no solid line between left and right for me.
One trick you can do is wear a piece of jewelry on your left hand, like a ring, kind of a visual reminder.
I had a lot of trouble in math as well, although I think there is a little dyslexia in play there. I remember solving a problem in chemistry class, and I had every bit of the math right - except that I plugged in the wrong numbers right at the start of the question. It took me a couple times looking at what I had done to see I had switched numbers around. I was initially upset at the teacher, because in fact I had done everything correctly so I demonstrated *I knew* how to do the problem, so what did it matter that the numbers were different - she didn't see it that way, sadly (I suppose she was ultimately right, messing up numbers in chemistry can be somewhat, shall we say "explosive"? ).
Maybe if you have a set of memory cards to help you with the rules of math? If you don't actively switch numbers around like I do, it might be worthwhile. |
I thought I was the only one who did that. I switch hands when writting, eating, playing tennis, ect. And I switch my numbers around all the time. A friend of mine taught me that the index finger and thumb of the left hand makes an L. Too bad I see L wether it is backwards or fowards(right makes a bakwards L.). I also write backwards. Like mirror image backwards. It baffles all the "normal" people at my school.The rest merely find it amusing.
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Jayman
Sea Gull
Joined: May 26, 2008
Posts: 200
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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| I want to be clear about distinction of NLD and Dyslexia. What the last poster described is dyslexia. Especially the part about writing things backwards. Left and right difficulties is NLD. |
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2ukenkerl
Phoenix
Joined: Jul 20, 2007
Posts: 4598
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject: Re: left and right, add or subtract... |
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| blackcat wrote: | | grinningcat wrote: | It is almost painful for me to think in left and right. I have to think carefully, because if I am not paying attention, I will invariably point a different way than what I have just told someone if asked for directions. Forget north and south, to me that is up and down. It can be a dyspraxic symptom. I also switch dominance of hands, even in the course of a meal - I switch the fork back and forth. I can mirror write with both hands at the same time, or separately with each hand, writing forwards or backwards with either hand without too much problem. There is no solid line between left and right for me.
One trick you can do is wear a piece of jewelry on your left hand, like a ring, kind of a visual reminder.
I had a lot of trouble in math as well, although I think there is a little dyslexia in play there. I remember solving a problem in chemistry class, and I had every bit of the math right - except that I plugged in the wrong numbers right at the start of the question. It took me a couple times looking at what I had done to see I had switched numbers around. I was initially upset at the teacher, because in fact I had done everything correctly so I demonstrated *I knew* how to do the problem, so what did it matter that the numbers were different - she didn't see it that way, sadly (I suppose she was ultimately right, messing up numbers in chemistry can be somewhat, shall we say "explosive"? ).
Maybe if you have a set of memory cards to help you with the rules of math? If you don't actively switch numbers around like I do, it might be worthwhile. |
I thought I was the only one who did that. I switch hands when writting, eating, playing tennis, ect. And I switch my numbers around all the time. A friend of mine taught me that the index finger and thumb of the left hand makes an L. Too bad I see L wether it is backwards or fowards(right makes a bakwards L.). I also write backwards. Like mirror image backwards. It baffles all the "normal" people at my school.The rest merely find it amusing. |
Wow, you sound like you must be great at parties!
Just today, I saw a book with a title written backwards.
Luckily, I favor writing with my right hand, but you couldn't tell by observing other things. I try to use each hand roughly equally. |
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Spokane_Girl
I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more
Joined: Jul 17, 2007
Age: 23
Posts: 3371
Location: Benny & Joon town (I wish)
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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I though people with dyspraxia often get left and right mixed up. My dad has that problem but I dunno if he is dyspraxic. I don't think he has NVLD.
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digger1
I am the frontman of evil, Bobby!
Joined: Sep 13, 2007
Age: 35
Posts: 2228
Location: Augusta, Maine
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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dammitall!
I hate myself. I really do. There's so much wrong with me. It'll be a miracle if Olivia grows up at least halfway normal, y'know?
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I used to be a Mohel but had to quit because I was only paid in tips
http://www.youtube.com/oliviasdaddy1 |
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pakled
"Bless his Heart"
Joined: Nov 13, 2007
Age: 50
Posts: 2743
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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| no..but after really thinking about it, I realize I actually do multiplication in my head from left to right (instead of the other way... |
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dawndeleon
Phoenix
Joined: Jul 14, 2007
Age: 31
Posts: 730
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:29 am Post subject: |
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| I have the same problems. I can do basic mathematics and count money fairly well, but i always had a problem with more complex equations I cannot break down as pictures in my mind. It took me a long time to get left and right correct. The only saving grace I have is that if i hold up both hands, the left hand's thumb and forefinger make an 'L'.. Heh? not bad.. visual reference? I also had difficulty telling time on an analog clock when i was a kid. As far as reading and letters, i excelled. |
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Anniemaniac
Deinonychus
Joined: Nov 04, 2006
Posts: 311
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:12 am Post subject: |
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| dawndeleon wrote: | | I have the same problems. I can do basic mathematics and count money fairly well, but i always had a problem with more complex equations I cannot break down as pictures in my mind. It took me a long time to get left and right correct. The only saving grace I have is that if i hold up both hands, the left hand's thumb and forefinger make an 'L'.. Heh? not bad.. visual reference? I also had difficulty telling time on an analog clock when i was a kid. As far as reading and letters, i excelled. |
You just described me word for word 
I always have difficulties with my lefts and rights. I have to physically put my left hand up and say "left" then repeat with the other hand and say "right". It's like I can't tell the difference without some kind of physical, visual clue. Being left handed helps, as I just visualise what hand I write with. The "L" thing I've only just heard of, so I could never use that in the past. I think I've become too dependant on my own method to use the "L" one, although I do think that it would have come in useful had someone told me this trick as a child.
| Quote: | | It is called Nonverbal Learning Disorder |
Interesting. I'll have to look up more information about this. I too occasionally mix up lower case B and D, sometimes P and Q, too, and like you, I sometimes have trouble with mathematical signs. We thought this was dyslexia at first, but it wasn't severe enough to warrant any attention, as it was only an occasional problem. |
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Draws
Blue Jay
Joined: May 08, 2008
Age: 22
Posts: 83
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:51 am Post subject: |
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I get left and right mixed up all the time. I usually look at my hands to remember as I know my dominent one is right.
With add and subtract I think of it as up and down so it isn't a problem. |
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craola
Deinonychus
Joined: Mar 21, 2008
Age: 20
Posts: 342
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:15 am Post subject: |
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I can't do my left and right at all, neither can my mum, we are both useless at it.
She can do Port/Starboard but that throws me even more.
Both of us really struggle with maths as well, even my times tables are bad.
If I didn't have my hands and fingers I couldn't count or do directions very well.
Hands are the best inventions ever. |
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ImMelody
Phoenix
Joined: Jun 10, 2008
Posts: 625
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:35 am Post subject: |
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| I don't have the math problem, but I definitely have the left right problem. I used to be able to do differential equations in my head. But when it comes to left-right, I HAVE to make my hands into "L"s.. If the L looks correct, I know that's my left hand. Despite having my wedding ring on my left hand, I cannot seem to associate it with my left side. I seriously thought I was the only one with this problem. My husband jokes about it sometimes, when I'm in a good mood and can get a good laugh out of it |
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