Another area of research, is in the LD field, and what are the qualities that successful LD adults have. Two of the qualities are perseverance and goal setting.

Perseverance: “Many persons with learning disabilities show great perseverance and keep pursuing their chosen path despite difficulties. They often describe themselves in such terms as “I am not a quitter,” and “I never give up.” However, successful individuals demonstrate an additional important ability—knowing when to quit. Although they rarely give up on a general goal, depending on the situation, they may change the way they go about achieving it, thereby improving their chances for success. In other words, after repeated failure, these individuals are able to see and pursue alternative strategies for reaching their goal, or know when the goal itself might have to be modified. Often they try several strategies until they find one that works.”

Setting Goals: “Successful individuals set goals that are specific, yet flexible so that they can be changed to adjust to specific circumstances and situations. These goals cover a number of areas including education, employment, family, spiritual and personal development. In addition, the goals of successful persons with learning disabilities include a strategy to reach their goals. That is, they have an understanding of the step-by-step process for obtaining goals.”
http://www.ldonline.org/article/Life_Success_For_Students_With_Learning_Disabilities:_A_Parent’s_Guide

Here is another take on a Canadian article.

“Despite their success, persons with LDs often share traumatic pasts. One graduate from York University said that her time at public school was so painful that it was like, “having a root canal without anesthetic.” Other successful York graduates with LD described their childhood with words like, “tortured”, “hell”, “humiliating”, “frustrating”, and a “time of lost hope”. Morris (2002) described dyslexia as a “crucible”. She quoted Craig McCaw, the billionaire dyslexic pioneer of the cellular industry, who said, “people are either defeated by it or they become more tenacious.” (p. 58)”

“What helps some succeed, while others are destroyed?
Gerber (2001) reported that “learned creativity” was one critical factor in predicting employment success. Morris (2002) remarked, “If you could survive childhood, dyslexia was a pretty good business boot camp. It fostered risk taking, problem solving, and resilience. School was a chess game that required tactical brilliance.” (p. 62.) Bill Samuels Jr., the dyslexic President of Maker’s Mark, said that people with LDs are “always expecting a curve ball.” (p. 62)”

http://www.contactpoint.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=387&catid=61&Itemid=37

Often the LD population in a school, who become successful academically, are treated as though they are exceptions to the rule. What is not thought of or paid a great deal of attention, is the amount of work and practice that is undertaken by the LD student, to become very good in academic activities.

” Those with LDs can succeed at a variety of careers. Despite this fact, those with LDs are often underestimated in childhood. In the booklet, “Secrets for Success” (available at http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/ldp), profiles of 10 university graduates are provided who succeeded in entering professional, managerial, and technical fields. All ten graduates reported that they were told by at least one important adult in their lives that they would never be able to go to university or obtain their desired career goals.”

As with my child, she has been told by several adults, she would never be a candidate for post-secondary. Yet she succeeded, because of her grit and tenacious persistence, never to give up. Our education system, seems all to willing to allow children an easy way out for children who are not born with natural talent in becoming good readers and writers.  Forgetting that natural talent is just a wee part, and where grit and lots of practice can turn many of a student into successful academic students.