Author Addresses Strategies for Students with Learning Differences

From the time he was in second grade until he finished high school, Jonathan Mooney was regarded as an academic failure. Mooney, who is dyslexic and has ADHD, recalled his second grade teacher banishing him to a desk in the corridor outside his classroom because he couldnt sit still. After learning to read at 12, Mooney went on to graduate with an honors degree in English from Brown University. Now 25, he is the author of a book in its sixth printing, an internationally known speaker, and the founder of an organization set up to help kids cope with learning differences.

Mooney will address learning differences (LD) and ADHD on Tuesday, Oct. 22. He will make two presentations for campus community members at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Alumni Recital Hall. He will make a public presentation at 7 p.m. in the Mabel Brown Room of the Student Center. The presentation is part of Keene States Diverse Voices from the Field lecture series, which is dedicated to bringing speakers who represent diversity in education to the College.

In his speech, Learning Outside the Lines: Survival Strategies for Students With Learning Differences and ADHD, Mooney will provide guidance about the methods that students, parents, and teachers can use to make learning a successful and empowering experience for people with learning differences and ADHD.

Mooney is founder and executive director of Project Eye to Eye, a mentoring program based in New York City that matches college students who have learning differences and attention disorders as mentors and role models for elementary school children with LD/ADHD. While at Brown, Mooney co-authored Learning Outside the Lines, which addresses many of the issues students with LD/ADHD face in daily life. He has spoken about LD/ADHD throughout the United States and in New Zealand.

In 1999 Mooney was the recipient of the National Harry Truman Scholarship for Public Service. He lives in New York City.