My younger son also has had lots of learning problems. I don't know about the education system in Austrailia. But here there are programs for students with learning disabilities (he gets a special tutoring study hall every day). Some colleges even have programs for students with learning disabilities. He is considering joining the Navy, if they will take him (they may not because of the NF). But he is also looking into colleges that give extra help for students with LD. Don't give up, there may be something like that in Austrailia.

I to had a hard time in school. Teachers said I was not applying myself. My parents thaught I was lazy in school. Just a few months ago did I find out that learning disability's was a symptoms of NF. I agree that it is hard to get the job you want when you have this problem.

I had a hard time in school, my dad made me quit to go to work for him, he said that I would go to collage, after I left home, I got a G.E.D. and went to collage until my daughter got sick, I had to get a job with insurance, So I went to work in a pipe yard, long hard hours, I now work as an administsrative assistant in a state agency, have an asshole boss, that tells me shit like i need to learn to spell, I am a little dislystic, (spl) and I believe he takes great pleasure in pointing out mistakes, noone in that department has any respect for him, I try my best, there is always going to be an asshole around somewhere, I just do my best. I think to myself, You may think you are that but if you had the medical problems I have you would probally not be where I am today, So, Get over yourself, sorry to ramble on. I also have a bad speech and hearing problem and it gets in my way of trying to climb the ladder to make more money

It has came to my attention that it sounded like that i was saying for jec782 to get over herself, I am so sorry if that is how it came across i ment it towards my boss and everyone else that gives me a hard time, dealing with my disabilites, I am really sorry how it came across i would never ment to offend anyone, please accept my appoligies

Hi Jec, I have dyslexia. I was not diagnosed until my third semester in collage :>0 ! We were able to identify dyslexia in my son in the third grade...As far as finding work. My best advice is to do something you love...if it's animals go to pet shops or vets...even if your the one cleaning cages you are in an environment you love...that makes learning easier...tell your boss, or potential boss 'briefly' about your problem and how much you are willing to work and learn. I don't know all your issues but if you feel you are lacking in basic reading writing skills, find a local adult education class. They may be able to help and may be in tough with potential employers. Dreams start small and grow!( Best of luck.
Marty girl
LD, and graduated. 3.0 in Architecture! Still cant spell ;>) )

With me i have terriable writing and reading problems,,, but im great at math... From what i know people with NF useally affect one or the other( not sure )maybe if your better at math then reading you can find some thing like a cashier or at a bank. those are pretty easy jobs with little or no reading... Another thing at my job i have now i do I.T. work.. which comes really easy... I find things that are wrong in the system only because my eyes same to locate things that are spelled wrong or dups or anything like that (it might just be me)...lol
good luck

I like most of you guys, did not do too well at school, only recently realised that learing problems are part of NF,

Most of the other students just thought I was stupid,

HI. I am a 32 year old male. My father had NF. I found out an early age that I was going to have it as well. I knew then that it was going to take surgery or some very expensive medical treatment. So right then and there I cried I did not want these bumps all over my body. I then decided that I was either going to be a doctor and remove them myself or at least be able to afford to have them removed. I had problems coming up in school. I was put in LD classes. I always had problems spelling Im some what dyslexic. I still have problems when right a lower case d or b I have to stop and remember that the b points to the right and the d points to the left. I never had a problem with math just English and spelling. As I got older I went on to college it was ruff but I got through it and earned an Associates degree. The problem with this is getting someone to like through an enter view its like they are not look at me. They are looking at symptoms of my NF. Now keep in mind that I didn't know that it was this NF thing making me like this I always wounded what was wrong with me. But I didnt give up. So now I was at a point here I was going to try to join the NAVY the told no because of my neurofibromatosis. And said that I should try the Army. I have not tried the army yet. I went home to do some research on this NF thing. I found that it was the NF that affected my speech and many other things like me being dyslectic. It also had something to do with my blood pressure be higher than the norm. I came across this site as I was doing my research because I was hurt that I was told no by the Navy for something that I could not control. And for you Marah good luck to your son and if he can tell him not to tell them about the NF and if he does tell them and he gets in please let me know maybe its my recruiter that just didn't want me. AND TOO EVERYONE HEAR AND YOU WHOS READING THIS REMEMBER ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH YOU KEEP THE LORD JESUS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE CAUSE HE WILL LEAD YOU TO WHERE HE WANTS YOU TO BE IN THIS LIFE.

Nfman I know how you feel,I was always well in spelling and english but lacked in math.I never had trouble with memorising lines in drama, or crafting things in art...but NF affects my capabilities in finding jobs.I unfortunately got scoliosis and had rods put in so Im limited to wht I can lift..10 lbs max!!cant sit for prolonged periods nor stand with out pain...I've worked in the past but as the years grew for me I too got declined alot of oppurtunities...law enforcement,the military...all because of MF and Scoliosis,finally my dr recommended I try SSI and I had to fight 3 yrs to get answers...I try my damnest to get the tumors removed but insurance says they will not pay for plastic surgery...it really sucks...I have a mild form of NF but I feel so ugly when I see myself nude and see the small bumps on my tummy...I know clothes can cover them up...but it hurts when people who's NF is more noticable than others and they try to get a job and get declined...Im tired of the world treating us like science experiments and freaks...we're just as normal as anyone and deserve to be treated that way but maybe thats my opinion.I always say when a employer denies me... "cant help Im not perfect like Barbie...talk to your diety about it not me"then politely call the head corp and explain how I was discriminated against my nf.. it does wonders ;)My first real job fired me and said my appearance my frighten costumers cause I looked sickly...took the heat but called corp.The world is not meant to look like Barbie and if perfection is required to live then I must be in Hell

i had some difficulties in some subjects in school as well mostly history and political science... but i was able to graduate college. my problem is with discrimination in the workplace. people with less education, and less expierence often get promoted ahead of me. but unfortunately there really is no way i can prove it...

i have had some learning problems in school and at work iam currntly unemployed looking 4 work so i can make some money so i can get my own place

there's still hope, don't give up on yourself, I have some learning issues, I only had a semester of community collage and struggled threw that, but passed. I have multiple small tumor's all over my body and face, I have had a major removal of a tumor that was over my left eye, for awhile I let what I looked like keep me from going out and at least trying, I worked at several manufacturing companies as a temporary, until I ended up at the job I am currently at. It was an entry level position and starting pay was only $7.50 . I am now a process tech at the same company and I am now making $19.89 an hrs and get a bonus every 3 months, that's not to bad, So don't give upon yourself, you'll find somehting , good luck , you CAN do it

I also have NF. I have only a mild learning disability. It only comes out if i don't want to learn something. I am in college full time online and right now i have a 3.8 GPA.
I find it very difficult to find a job due to the NF. People will look at my hands and quickly make the decision that the job is suddenly filled, or they will make up some sort of excuse.