When you get a call from your child's teacher to say that he/she wants to "talk," it is usually not good news. Hearing that your child may have a learning disability can be overwhelming; after all you thought he/she was perfect! Well, the truth is that no one is perfect and learning disabilities in children are more common than you might think. These frequently asked questions will help you figure out what to do if you think that your child might be at risk for a learning disability, what warning signs to lookout for, where to get help and support if your child does have a learning disability, and give you some general information about learning disabilities.
You have a perfect, beautiful child but for some reason he or she is having difficulty in school. The teacher might suggest that your child should be tested for a learning disability. This usually leads to shock and dismay for many parents. You should know however, that you are not alone. Learning disabilities are more common in children than you might think. In fact the National Institute on Health stated that one in seven children have some type of learning disability. These frequently asked questions will allow you to better understand and deal with a learning disability in your family.
What is a “Learning Disability”?
Children with learning disabilities are not mentally retarded and they do not have emotional disturbances. These are children who have a developmental delay in learning due to a handicap, dyslexia, developmental aphasia, or mild brain dysfunction. A learning disability is a disorder of one of the basic psychological processes used to understand and use language; either written or spoken. This disorder may lead to an inability to read, write, spell, listen, think, or complete mathematical calculations. A parent or teacher must understand that having a learning disability is not a disease that can be cured. It is a disability, which simply means that the child will live with the learning disability for the rest of his/her life. The challenge is not overcoming the disability, but instead learning to live a normal and happy life with the disability.
How do I know if my child has a learning disability?
This is a very hard question that experts are working hard to answer. As of now, there is no clear line between those with a learning disability and those who are simply going through a “rough spot.” You should understand that each child is different and learns in different ways and at different rates; simply because your child is not keeping up with his/her peers doesn’t mean that he/she has a learning disability. It is critical that you make this distinction. If your child is lacking in one subject, you should not be concerned; a learning disability is not subject specific. The key question to ask yourself when deciding if the symptoms your child are demonstrating should be considered as a learning disability is “Does this problem interfere profoundly with my child’s everyday life?”