I think people after schizophrenia learn different, but they still learn. Memory problems might hinder the learning process as well many side effects of medications interfere with cognition, this apart from the characteristics of this disease. I would say that a specific oriented teaching method so the schizophrenic students could develop themselves to a new level, to uncover fully potential, this would be interesting. Evaluation, assignments, tests, exames rely on specific memory skills but there is more about to learn with different able skills. I believe the schizophrenic learner has strengths as well weaknesses but it is much better to learn something with purpose and support, then not to learn. Traditional education even superior education does not suit schizophrenics learning needs, so there is exclusion, drop outs… more reasons to add to the pile of the reasons to not study or learn. I think it should exist special education for the public with schizophrenia condition, adapted to our reality but not underestimating us. For this we would need also teachers and tutors trained to teach people with this condition, and adapted programmes. This is my modest opinion. What do you think?
I think I generally learn faster than others so long as I don’t get stuck in a classroom with other people. That’s the only accommodation I need.
Education is not an issue I get A’s in university and have a major degree in physiotherapy. I can’t work, I can’t even volunteer, I rage quit 15 different jobs after 1-2 weeks from stress.
I would tell you that schizohrenia at one point lowered my ability to focus, concentrate and memory but I gained them all back cause I work relentlessly at it through reading, thinking, working. Practice is the best way to get back your cognitive faculties.
Hi @anongoodnurse thanks for your reply. I am schizophrenic. I feel the same way about having an “handicap”. I dropped out university, I was studying in the 1st year of engineering a long time ago. I would like to learn more even if I can not be exactly a good engineer but it happens that I do not fit in superior education any more because I fail a lot in exams and now I am much older too. But I am curious and still want to learn. I spend hours reading, but even to choose a path reading, this simple approach would be better with guidance and support. Education is important.
I think it is possible for you to be a special education teacher if you acquired the skills to be one, if you know the foundations that lead to be a good teacher. You can be competent I think, specially if you symptoms under control. I believe schizophrenics acquire skills and learn. But certain things could be different for you, you could work less hours, develop various different startegies at work, so you could accomplish everything.
Schizophrenia onset in men and women vary, so the educational needs are quite different, and also people chose different journeys, some would like to work, some would prefer more intellectual activities, some prefer arts some do not, some people might want life long learning, it depends a lot. We are different for being schizophrenics and diverse as people too, so many educational scenarios could apply for the situation.
If we learn, but differently, I think we should not be excluded.
If you are qualified you have the possibility to work in your area, here where I live there are initiatives like “supported employment” for example. And you have the right for some adaptations at work if you have any disability, this in ideal, sometimes things are not so linear. I hope this helps in some way. Never underestimate yourself too much, maybe your work would be valuable to many people.
That accommodation would be important for me too. I feel better alone or in small groups.
My cognitive problems pre-date having a psychiatric diagnosis .Has the SMI made them worse? I haven’t got a clear cut answer to that .
What I do know is that my adaptive functioning lags behind my intelligence level . That quite common for those of us on the spectrum .
Factsheet-PSI-Feb.-2011 adaptive functioning.pdf (76.5 KB)
https://www.advancedpsy.com/documentation/adaptive-functioning/
In a nutshell; I perform much better online than I do off line .
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