ParentLine

Dear ParentLine,

My child is having trouble learning at school.  He can’t seem to keep up with the rest of his class.  He appears to be really trying, but he can become easily frustrated when he tries to tackle something new.  His teacher thinks he may have a learning disability.  He will be tested soon to confirm this.  What constitutes a “learning disability” and what can we do about our concerns?  

Signed, Mom of “Why-can’t-Johnny-read?” in Rockingham County, NH

To help you, ParentLine sought a definition of “learning disability” (LD) and discovered that there is no clear and widely accepted definition of LD. Ongoing debate on the issue of a definition stems from the multidisciplinary nature of the field.  Currently, there are at least twelve definitions that appear in the professional literature on the subject.  According to the Child Development Institute, here are factors upon which the experts agree.

• The learning disabled have difficulties with academic achievement and progress.  Discrepancies exist between a person’s potential for learning and what he actually learns.
• The learning disabled show an uneven pattern of development (language, physical, academic and/or perceptual development).
• Learning problems are not due to environmental disadvantage.
• Learning problems are not due to mental retardation or emotional disturbance.

According to the National Institute of Health, fifteen percent of the US population, or one in seven Americans has some type of LD.  If tests confirm your suspicions, your son will be among the 15 percent of American school children who are affected with learning disabilities.  Experts caution that because a learning disability can’t be seen, they often go undetected.  Recognizing a learning disability is even more difficult because the severity and characteristics vary.   Information on the website www.ldonline.org  tells us that LD disabilities can’t be “cured” or “fixed” but are rather a life-long issue.

Early intervention is crucial.  Children with LD can learn strategies that will help them to achieve as well as other youngsters do and go on to successful, often distinguished careers later in life.  It’s fortunate that your son will be evaluated and treated now in order to prevent bigger problems in the future.  If a learning disability isn’t detected, the effects can have a continuous and cumulative effect in your son’s life.

To illustrate, if a child is unable to learn subtraction in elementary school, he will have a hard time with algebra in high school.  Kids who have difficulties learning may become extremely frustrated which can lead to low self-esteem and emotional problems due to repeated failures.  Some children with LD act out in school because they’d rather be known as “trouble” than to appear as “stupid.”

Here are some of the many warning signs of LD:

• Understanding and following directions is a constant problem
• Regularly misplaces or looses books, homework, etc.
• Has difficulty remembering what was just said.
• Confused by the concept of time, i.e. yesterday, today, next week.
• Lacks physical coordination in large motor activities (walking, sports) or small motor such as holding a pencil or tying shoes.
• Slow to complete work.
• Problem with right and left (by school age).
• Trouble identifying words, letters, numbers, letter reversals like confusing “b” and “d” or “24” with “42”  (by school age).
• Easily frustrated.
• Difficulty making decisions.
• Overly distracted.
• Approaches tasks in unusual, irregular ways.

Experts warn that no one will have all of these symptoms.  This is a partial list.  All people have at least two or three of these symptoms to some degree.  The number of symptoms doesn’t snow how severe the disability is; an all-inclusive professional evaluation is needed.

Parents who suspect that their child may have a learning disability should contact the child’s school or the closest public school if the child has not reached school age yet and arrange for testing and evaluation.  Federal law requires that public school districts provide special education and helpful services to children who need them from ages three and up.  Early intervention programs service ages birth to three.  Child and Family Services has an early intervention program in the Exeter area (call 603-772-3786 for information).  In other districts, contact your public school to get local school information.

School specialists can assess all of the areas that affect your child.  They will talk with the family about the results of the tests and evaluations and will clarify if a learning disability exists.  The family is involved in all areas of planning.  The school team and family will meet together to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) geared to the child’s needs.  It is recommended that the parents also bring the child to a pediatrician for a complete physical exam to check for correctable problems like hearing and vision loss.

Parents can help kids with LS achieve such success by encouraging their children’s strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties.

LDonline suggests the following as things you can do to help your child:

• Collect information about your child’s performance.  Organizing information about your child will help you to monitor progress.  Meet with your child’s teachers and other school personnel to understand his or her performance and attitude towards school.  Observe your child’s ability to study, do homework and finish the tasks that you assign at home.  Keep a file of the materials about his or her education including tests and results.  Keep a record of what you notice and about your talks with professionals.  This dated information will be valuable in planning for your child.
• Have your child tested.  Ask the school administration to provide a comprehensive educational evaluation.  This will include interviews, direct observation, and a review of your child’s educational and medical history, a test that will measure your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and conferences with professionals who work with your child.  Either you or the school can request the evaluation, but it is only given with a parent’s written consent.
• Teamwork.  If the results indicate that your child has a learning disability, she or she is eligible for special educational services.  You will become part of a multidisciplinary team to help, support, and facilitate your child’s learning process.
• Talk to your child about the disability.  Reassure your child that having a learning disability only means that his or her mind works on words and information a little differently.  It doesn’t mean being stupid or lazy.  Be honest and optimistic with your child.  Explain that though learning may be a struggle he or she can still succeed.

Resources: 

Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA): 1-888-300-6710.

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD): 1-575-7373.

International Dyslexia Association (IDA): 1-800-ABC-D123.

ParentLine is a free and confidential service of Child and Family Services, a statewide, independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the well-being of children and families.  We invite your questions.   Call ParentLine, 1-800-640-6486;  write ParentLine, c/o Child and Family Services, P.O. Box 448, Manchester, NH; email parentline@cfsnh.org or visit our website at www.cfsnh.org.