Finding Support While Helping A Child With Learning Disabilities
All children can be both exhilarating and exhausting, but it may seem that your child with a learning disability is especially so. You may experience some frustration trying to work with your child, and it can seem like an uphill battle when you don’t have the information you need. After you learn what their specific learning disability is and how it is affecting their behavior, you will be able to start addressing the challenges in school and at home. If you can, be sure to reach out to other parents who are addressing similar challenges as they can be great sources of knowledge and emotional support.
-
Neurodevelopmental Disorders. . In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Association.
Get more help
CDCs Developmental Milestones Check the milestones for your child at different ages.
LD Basics Includes common warning signs and symptoms, how to respond, and tips for getting help early.
Types of Learning Disabilities Overview of the types of learning disabilities and links to a more in-depth articles.
Dyslexia Basics Overview of dyslexia, how it is diagnosed, and what treatments are available.
Understanding Dysgraphia Learn what causes it and which instructional activities can help.
Auditory Processing Disorder How to detect, diagnose, and help a child.
Nonverbal Learning Disorders Overview of this often-neglected learning disability.
Why Should Someone Be Assessed
Adults choose to undergo an LD assessment for a number of reasons, including:
- Significant problems at work or school that prevent them from reaching their career and/or educational goals
- Significant problems in daily life
- A desire to know why they have always struggled to learn and remember information
The first step to overcoming challenges is to determine the cause of the challenges. By completing the LD assessment process, adults can obtain the information and documentation they need to formally request accommodations at work or in school, and to determine effective strategies for learning and living based on their areas of strengths.
The Australian Context For Assessment Of Specific Learning Disability
Diagnosis of a Specific Learning Disability has until recently relied on identifying significant discrepancies between a person’s cognitive abilities and their actual academic achievement in specific areas of learning. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders no longer recognises discrepancy between cognitive ability and academic achievement as a diagnostic characteristic of a specific learning disability. Instead the focus has moved to the demonstrated persistent academic difficulties despite the provision of appropriate and evidence based interventions within the academic environment when assessing for a SpLD.
Don’t Miss: Discounts For 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
What Is Specific Learning Disorder
Specific learning disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders that are typically diagnosed in early school-aged children, although may not be recognized until adulthood. They are characterized by a persistent impairment in at least one of three major areas: reading, written expression, and/or math.
An estimated five to 15% of school-age children struggle with a learning disability.1 An estimated 80% of those with learning disorders have an impairment in reading in particular . Dyslexia is highly prevalent affecting 20% of the population.2 Dyslexia affects male and females equally. There is a high comorbidity of specific learning disorder with other neurodevelopmental disorders as well as anxiety.1
Specific skills that may be affected include word reading accuracy, spelling, grammar, or calculation. In addition, fluency in reading and mathematics may be noted. Difficulties with these skills often cause problems in learning subjects such as history, math, science and social studies and may impact everyday activities and social interactions.
Learning disorders are categorized as mild, moderate and severe. Accommodation and support services align with the severity to facilitate a persons most effective functioning.
Who Can Diagnose A Specific Learning Disorder
While a childs teacher or tutor may be able to screen for possible difficulties in any given academic area, it is important that the actual diagnostic process be undertaken by a specialist in the area. This involves a psychologist in the identification of specific learning disorders.
When considering other developmental disorders that can impact on learning, occupational therapists can investigate and support students with handwriting and coordination difficulties whereas speech pathologists are best suited to assess and support individuals with speech and language-related weaknesses.
It is important that the diagnosis is made by a practitioner who is qualified to administer the range of standardised assessment tools required to make a clinical diagnosis. Depending on the assessment required, these tests may include standardised measures of: intellectual ability and cognitive skills expressive and receptive language ability underlying processing strengths and weaknesses and, academic achievement across a range of domains assessed under a range of conditions . In order to administer these tests, expertise in test administration and registration with a regulatory body, such as the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Authority, is required. The diagnosis of a specific learning disorder cannot be made by someone who assesses vision, hearing, movement or any other skill in isolation.
You May Like: Taxes On Social Security 2021
What Tests Are Used To Diagnose A Learning Disability
A learning disability is described as a disorder in the basic psychological processes that interfere with a persons ability to listen, think, speak, read, spell, or do mathematical calculations. Therefore, this definition of a learning disability implicates that it affects a persons academic ability and may interfere with their progress at school. For example, a student may not comprehend the concepts they learn at school or have difficulty processing and solving a mathematical problem or writing/reading concepts.
Furthermore, a learning disability is most likely identified when a child begins schooling. A sufficient way to have the best possible intervention is to have the proper diagnosis for the individual. The different administered tests range from the paper-pencil type of cognitive and neuropsychological tasks to psychological and behavioral self-report questionnaires. As such, these types of tests can help determine and diagnose a learning disability. These tasks focus on skills such as:
- Cognitive abilities
- Academic achievement
- Executive functioning
Testing happens to be included in the rights that people with learning disabilities need. Educational specialists and psychologists are the types of people allowed to administer learning disability tests for individuals. The type of tests that are used to diagnose a learning disability includes
- Intelligence Tests
The following information below will describe the tests and why they are used for diagnosis.
How Do I Know If I Have A Learning Disability
admin
A learning disability can be hard to spot. Many people with learning disabilities dont even know they have one. If you suspect you or your child may have a learning disability, look for these common signs: One sign of a learning disability is difficulty with reading. This can manifest itself in several ways. You may have trouble reading accurately, fluently, or with comprehension. You may also find that you need to read things multiple times in order to understand them fully. Another sign of a learning disability is problems with writing. This can include difficulty organizing thoughts on paper, spelling errors, and trouble using grammar correctly.
You May Like: Can You Lose Disability Benefits If You Inherit Money
Signs Of A Learning Disability In A Teenager
As a parent, you may be wondering if your teenager has a learning disability. While it can be difficult to tell, there are some signs that may indicate a problem.Your teen may have trouble with reading, writing, or math. They may also have difficulty paying attention or completing tasks. If you notice your teen struggling in school or having difficulty with daily tasks, its important to talk to their teacher or doctor.There are many different types of learning disabilities, so its important to get an evaluation from a professional to determine the cause of the problem. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most teens with learning disabilities can succeed in school and life.
Support For People With A Learning Disability And Family Carers
Doctors and other health workers might be able to tell if a person has a learning disability when they are very young. But some people get a diagnosis later in their lives. This can be when they are adults.
If you are diagnosed with a learning disability, you might be referred to other health professionals to get the support you need.
Also Check: Should You Get Long Term Disability
Types Of Learning Disabilities
There are many different kinds of learning disabilities, and they can affect people differently. It’s important to note that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorders are not the same as learning disabilities.
The main types of learning disorders include:
Dyspraxia. Dyspraxia affects a person’s motor skills. Motor skills help us with movement and coordination. A young child with dyspraxia may bump into things or have trouble holding a spoon or tying their shoelaces. Later, they may struggle with things like writing and typing. Other problems associated with dyspraxia include:
- Speech difficulties
- Telling the difference between similar-sounding words
- Remembering things they’ve heard
Visual Processing Disorder. Someone with a visual processing disorder has trouble interpreting visual information. They may have a hard time with reading or telling the difference between two objects that look similar. People with a visual processing disorder often have trouble with hand-eye coordination.
Diagnosing A Nonverbal Learning Disability
What is a Nonverbal Learning Disability ?
In general, NVLD is characterized by the discrepancy between an individuals verbal and nonverbal reasoning abilities. Unlike ADHD or a Specific Learning Disorder , NVLD is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition . However, it provides a framework to explain areas of strength and weakness to better understand why an individual may be struggling academically, socially, emotionally, or behaviorally.
Areas of Strength
When individuals present with a NVLD, they often demonstrate relative strengths in the following areas:
- Simple, repetitive motor movements
- Learning and recall of rote, verbal material
- Single word reading and reading decoding skills
In contrast, those with NVLD present with weaknesses in the following areas:
- Visual perception, visual-spatial organization, and visuo-construction skills
- Complex motor skills
- Learning of novel information and generalizing new learning
- Visual spatial learning and memory
- Reading comprehension/Higher order comprehension and reasoning
- Visual and tactile attention
- Aspects of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning
How Can an Evaluation Be Used to Diagnosis an NVLD?
Following the Evaluation
Resources for NVLD
Don’t Miss: Mutual Of Omaha Long Term Disability
What Are The Causes Of Learning Disabilities
We dont always know why someone has a learning disability.
Sometimes, their brains development is affected, before birth, during their birth or in early childhood.
This can be caused by:
- Their mother getting ill in pregnancy.
- The mother drinking during pregnancy, resulting in Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.
- A very premature birth.
- Problems during their birth that stop enough oxygen getting to their brain.
- Inheriting genes from their parents that make a learning disability more likely, such as Fragile X syndrome.
- Conditions caused by chromosome differences, such as Downs syndrome or Turner syndrome.
- Illness, such as meningitis, or injury in early childhood.
- Contact with damaging material, such as radioactive material.
The Procedure For Learning Disabilities Diagnosis
If you are concerned that your child has a learning disability, you have the legal right to request testing. Alternately, your childs teacher can also start the process if theyre suspicious that your child has a learning disorder. The teacher, school counselor, or principal will contact you to discuss their concerns and get your permission to proceed with the learning disabilities evaluation.
Once an evaluation request has been made, the next step is to begin the testing. If the school disagrees that your child should be tested, you can still proceed. You can find learning disabilities testing services by asking the school for recommendations, checking with your childs doctor for sources, contacting your insurance company to find out what testers they approve of, or asking friends and family members who have experienced this with their child.
Also Check: How To Check On Social Security Disability Claim
Tests Used To Evaluate Learning
Diagnosing a learning disability in public schools requires several types of tests. Common tests used to diagnose a learning disability include tests of intelligence, achievement, visual-motor integration, and language. Other tests may also be used depending on the evaluator’s preferences and the child’s needs.
The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act requires that a diagnosis of a learning disability is not made on the basis of a single test.
Who Can Do An Evaluation
The people who do the evaluations can vary. They might be a learning specialist, an educational therapist, or a speech and language therapist. But often a psychologist is involved, because psychologists are also trained to measure intellectual capacity and think carefully about emotional difficulties that might also interfere with classroom adjustment.
Many children who have learning issues also have other conditions like anxiety, they can feel demoralized, or even be experiencing childhood depression, which leads them to have trouble managing academic demands. A neuropsychologist may also be involved in an evaluation, which is typically helpful in elucidating how aspects of cognitive functioning, like attention or executive functioning, are affecting classroom learning.
Don’t Miss: Can You Still Work If You Collect Disability
Concerned Your Child May Have A Learning Disability
Youre not alone. Approximately 20% of people are affected by dyslexia, according to the International Dyslexia Association. Additionally, almost 80% of kids who are categorized with learning disabilities in the United States fall somewhere on the dyslexia spectrum. To help parents identify if their children are at risk for a learning disability, Lexercise provides free, online testing for dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
One-half of students who are identified for special education are classified as having a learning disability. About 85% of those students have a primary learning disability in reading and language processing.
Is Testing Broken Into Several Sections
Yes, because if kids are fatigued or worn out, were actually not measuring their capacity or abilities. Most kids who are six years and older can sit for an evaluation for about three hours with a good break in the middle. Some children under six perform better in two-hour spurts of time and some children cant manage it for that long. Teenagers can sometimes perform for a longer period of time four or five hours is not unusual. But we keep in mind that teenagers do better in the afternoon. Children do better in the morning. And we try to avoid after school hours or when children are stressed because of their schedule.
You May Like: How Is The Amount Of Social Security Disability Benefits Calculated
Thorough Testing Services Therapy And Support
CNLD Testing & Therapy offers many testing and mental health services in addition to learning disability testing. These include the following: educational advocacy,neurological disorder testing, family therapy, child therapy, executive functions coaching, IEEs, IQ testing, autism testing, giftedness evaluations, ADHD testing, anxiety testing, and more. We would love to help your family work through your current obstacles and improve your quality of life.
How Does Assistive Technology Help People With Ld
Assistive technology for LD are computer-based programs or applications. ATs may be low- or high-tech gadgets that can be used as learning aids. They take off the burden from children who have a hard time writing.
ATs include laptop and computerised devices such as tablets integrated with instructions and software functions. Studies show that computer-based instruction benefits children with LD in many ways. It helps them with listening, reading, writing, math, organisation and memory with ease and fewer distractions.
Every SLD has a corresponding AT tool. Some of the examples are the following:
- Listening: Audio recorder or assistive listening device
- Reading: Speech synthesis or text-to-speech software
- Writing: Word Processor, spell checker, or speech-to-text software
- Math: Electronic worksheet or talking calculator
- Memory: Personal Data Manager and audio recorder
- Organisation: Same as memory tools
The key to selecting the appropriate tool for a child is a thorough evaluation. The device must match the needs of the child. It is also necessary that teachers are trained on the proper use of the AT to optimise its effectiveness.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Va Disability Rating For Hypertensive Heart Disease
Keeping Track Of Progress
Keeping track of a childs progress will help parents and teachers understand how effective different treatment plans have been. Document specific academic struggles as well as steps that can overcome these difficulties. These can be very beneficial in the future if an individual needs additional assistance or accommodations.
Getting Help For Children With Learning Disabilities
When it comes to learning disabilities, it’s not always easy to know what to do and where to find help. Turning to specialists who can pinpoint and diagnose the problem is, of course, important. You will also want to work with your child’s school to make accommodations for your child and get specialized academic help. But don’t overlook your own role. You know your child better than anyone else, so take the lead in looking into your options, learning about new treatments and services, and overseeing your child’s education.
Learn the specifics about your child’s learning disability. Learn about your child’s type of learning disability. Find out how the disability affects the learning process and what cognitive skills are involved. It’s easier to evaluate learning techniques if you understand how the learning disability affects your child.
Research treatments, services, and new theories. Along with knowing about the type of learning disability your child has, educate yourself about the most effective treatment options available. This can help you advocate for your child at school and pursue treatment at home.
Pursue treatment and services at home. Even if the school doesn’t have the resources to treat your child’s learning disability optimally, you can pursue these options on your own at home or with a therapist or tutor.
Recommended Reading: Iphone Is Disabled Try Again In 1 Hour