A learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired." Children with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways.
A learning disability can't be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong issue. With the right support and intervention, however, children with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on to successful, often distinguished careers later in life.
Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve such success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties.
Common learning disabilities
Dyslexia – a language-based disability in which a person has trouble understanding written words. It may also be referred to as reading disability or reading disorder.
Dyscalculia – a mathematical disability in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts.
Dysgraphia – a writing disability in which a person finds it hard to form letters or write within a defined space.
Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders – sensory disabilities in which a person has difficulty understanding language despite normal hearing and vision.
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities – a neurological disorder which originates in the right hemisphere of the brain, causing problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluative and holistic processing functions.
Next Steps
Constult
Learning disability is identified after a series of tests conducted by a team of specialists. The following specialists may work together to help diagnose and treat a child’s LD.
Clinical Psychologist : Preferably a psychologist with a specialization in education. The Clinical Psychologist conducts specific intelligence test (such as Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children test) to determine whether the child’s intellectual functioning is normal. This helps to exclude borderline intellectual functioning and mild mental retardation, both of which may affect academic performance.
Special Educator assesses the child’s academic achievement by administering standard educational tests (Wide Range Achievement Test, Peabody Individual Achievement Test, Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement, Schonnel Attainment Test, Curriculum Based Test) to assess the child’s performance in areas like reading, spelling, written language, and mathematics. An academic achievement of two years below the child’s actual school grade or chronological age may indicate that the child has a specific learning disability.
Counselor helps in understanding behavior, checks for any behavioral issues, and for any problems that may exist due to poor home or school environment, or any emotional problems that may be the reason for the child's poor performance at school.
Pediatrician/ Pediatric Neurologist: If a learning disability is suspected, The pediatrician needs to enquire about the child's performance in school and guide the parents to get their child's psycho-educational assessment done. The pediatrician may also counsel the parents and class teacher about the usefulness of remedial education. A pediatric neurologist records detailed clinical history and does a thorough physical examination to exclude medical ailments like hypothyroidism, chronic lead poisoning; and neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, Wilson’s disease, ADHD. Checks for behavioral issues at school and at home.
Child Psychiatrist : Checks if there are symptoms of ADHD because it may coexist with any type of learning disability. The psychiatrist also checks for other disorders which may be the cause for poor academic performance.
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Health Tips
Dyslexia
Intensive teaching techniques. These can include specific, step-by-step, and very methodical approaches to teaching reading with the goal of improving both spoken language and written language skills. These techniques are generally more intensive in terms of how often they occur and how long they last and often involve small group or one-on-one instruction.
Classroom modifications. Teachers can give students with dyslexia extra time to finish tasks and provide taped tests that allow the child to hear the questions instead of reading them.
Use of technology. Children with dyslexia may benefit from listening to audio books or using word-processing programs.
Dysgraphia
Special tools. Teachers can offer oral exams, provide a note-taker, or allow the child to videotape reports instead of writing them. Computer software can facilitate children being able to produce written text.
Use of technology. A child with dysgraphia can be taught to use word-processing programs, including those incorporating speech-to-text translation, or an audio recorder instead of writing by hand.
Reducing the need for writing. Teachers can provide notes, outlines, and preprinted study sheets.
Dyscalculia
Visual techniques. Teachers can draw pictures of word problems and show the student how to use colored pencils to differentiate parts of problems.
Memory
aids. Rhymes and music can help a child remember math concepts.
Computers. A child with dyscalculia can use a computer for drills and practice.