Lack of attention, lack of organization,
lack of focus and missing homework are often associated with any of a variety
of learning disabilities. Not all are
easily detected or readily apparent.
Contrary to popular mythology, true
learning disabilities are biological in nature. These students do not forget,
lose, or ignore their work on purpose.
Causes may involve subtle chemical imbalances or structural problems
involving how the brain collects or sorts information. Difficulties may manifest themselves in one
specific skill area such as writing or math - or may be generalized across the
curriculum. Learning disabilities are
not related to innate intelligence, in fact many famous geniuses: DaVinci,
Edison, and Einstein, probably suffered from various LD problems.
If you suspect that your child’s homework
problem might involve difficulty in processing the information he reads,
decoding letters or words, focusing on or organizing work, then discuss your
concerns with the school.
A short special education screening may
reveal a weakness for further testing.
Each of us learns in our own way, and federal law guarantees that
students who suffer from disabilities must receive appropriate modifications in
their assignments.
Remember, children want to do well in
school, to be liked and to be successful.
If something is interfering with these goals, missing homework will
probably be one of your first indications of a problem.