How to Learn Ritual with a Learning Disorder

This article focuses on what can be done to help make life easier for those with reading and learning difficulties, something that should never be a barrier to learning ritual or indeed, never cause anyone to be embarrassed. Learning difficulties DO NOT affect general intellect.

What is a learning disorder?

There are many different types of learning disorders, some examples include:

Dyslexia: Difficulty in reading and interpreting written words.

Dyscalculia: Difficulty in understanding and working with numbers and math concepts.

Dysgraphia: Difficulty with writing, including issues with spelling, grammar, and organization.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Difficulty with attention and impulse control.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Difficulty in processing and understanding information that is heard.

Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD): Difficulty in understanding nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.

Dyspraxia – impaired coordination of physical movements

Learning Ritual – taking the plunge

So what do you do when faced with that little blue book? Most Masons when first looking at the ritual book can understandably be fazed – the tiny print, the missing words, the questions and answers!

Learning ritual can be a challenging task for anyone, especially individuals with learning disorders, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips to help make the process easier:

• Start small: Instead of trying to learn a complex ritual all at once, break it down into smaller, manageable pieces. This will make it easier to focus on one aspect of the ritual at a time and reduce the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed.

• Use visual aids: Visual aids such as diagrams or pictures can be helpful in understanding the different steps and components of a ritual. The use of mnemonics such as in the Memory Palace method could be a great way to remember key points or answers to questions.

• Repeat, repeat, repeat: Repetition is key when learning a new ritual. The more you practice, the more familiar the ritual will become and the easier it will be to remember.

• Find a mentor or guide: Having someone who can guide you through the process of learning a ritual can be incredibly helpful. This person can provide support and answer any questions you may have. Your lodge Mentor, Proposer or any other Brother will hopefully be more than willing to assist you in making headway with your ritual.

• Be patient with yourself: Learning a new ritual can be difficult, and it’s important to be patient with yourself and not to get discouraged if you make mistakes. Remember that everyone learns at a different pace and it may take longer for you to learn the ritual than someone without a learning disorder.

• Use technology:
Apps – there are various apps that can help you with learning, such as flashcard apps.
Audio – ask another member to record sections of the ritual for you to listen to and memorise.
Video – perhaps consider asking if you can record certain movements, so as to memorise them.

• Take breaks: Don’t try to learn all in one sitting. Take breaks, and come back to it later.

With these tips in mind, learning a new ritual can be a manageable and even enjoyable experience. Remember to take things one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

How can other Brethren help

• Be aware and understanding: People with learning disorders may need extra time or assistance to complete tasks or understand information. Being aware of this and being understanding and patient can help create a more inclusive environment. Most Candidates are understandably nervous before their initiation – those with learning disorders or other disabilities are going to be even more anxious – take time to accommodate any needs.
Those who also suffer with dyspraxia may experience uncoordinated movement, which will make them even more nervous when it comes to moving around the lodge and may need assistance to perform certain steps or circumambulations.

• Encourage participation: A big part of Masonic ritual and lodge work involves participation. People with learning disorders may feel hesitant in taking on roles where they have to learn even more ritual – helping them to overcome any nerves and assisting them with their learning will increase confidence, not only in lodge but in their everyday lives.

• Provide accommodations: If the individual has disclosed their learning disorder, it’s important to provide accommodations when necessary, such as extra time to learn, when reading aloud, or responding to questions.

• Use different teaching methods: Different teaching methods such as visual aids, hands-on activities, and group work can help individuals with learning disorders better understand and retain information.

• Be clear and concise: When giving instructions or information, be clear and concise. Avoid using jargon or complex language and break down information into smaller, manageable chunks if needed.

• Provide feedback: Provide feedback to the individual on their progress, and encourage them to ask questions if they are unsure about something.

• Be supportive: Be supportive and encouraging, and avoid being critical or dismissive. Remember that people with learning disorders are capable of learning and achieving their goals just like anyone else.

• Foster independence: Help the individual learn to advocate for themselves and to identify strategies that work for them. Encourage and support them to take control of their own learning process.

It’s important to remember that each individual with a learning disorder is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to be flexible and willing to try different strategies to find what works best for the individual.

Further Resources:

Apps that incorporate flashcards or learning tools:

NaturalReader: – text-to-speech reader that allows you to upload text and documents to convert to MP3 files. Listen to in 16 different languages.

Quizlet: – Quizlet’s science-backed free flashcards and practice tests can help you practice active recall

Anki: A flashcard app that uses a spaced repetition algorithm to help users efficiently memorize information. Anyone who needs to remember things in their daily life can benefit from Anki. Since it is content-agnostic and supports images, audio, videos and scientific markup (via LaTeX), the possibilities are endless.

Flashcards Deluxe: A flashcard app that allows users to create flashcards, take quizzes, and track their progress.

List of organisations who can help with learning disorders

Dyslexia UK provide support and services for dyslexic children and adults of all ages, their parents/families, educators, employers and the wider community.

International Dyslexia Association (IDA) – A non-profit organization that provides information and resources on dyslexia and other related language-based learning disorders.

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) – A non-profit organization that provides information and resources on a variety of learning disorders, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.

Additude Magazine – for all things ADHD