Children with learning disabilities
When a child has difficulties learning what is taught in school, parents often become worried. There can be are many reasons for failure at school, but a common one is a specific learning disability. Children with learning disabilities usually have a normal range of intelligence.
They try their very best to behave at school and at home, concentrate, and follow instructions. Yet, in spite their best effort, he or she is not accomplishing the subjects in school tasks and winds up falling behind. Learning disabilities affect as many as 1 in 10 schoolchildren.
It is believed that learning disabilities are primarily caused by a problem associated with the nervous system that affects communication, processing, or receiving information. They may also be genetic and run in families. Some children that exhibit characteristics of having a learning disability may also be easily distracted, be hyperactive, and have an attention span that is very short.
Adolescent and child psychiatrists are quick to point out that most learning disabilities are very treatable. They can have a tragic snowballing effect if not detected and treated early, however. For example, a child who does not learn addition in elementary school will not be able to grasp algebra in high school.
The child, who is trying very hard to learn, becomes more and more frustrated, and develops low self esteem and emotional problems in the wake of continued failure. Some children with learning disabilities act up in school simply because they would rather be seen as bad rather than stupid.
The most frequent signals of learning disabilities that parents must be made aware of include: The child has difficulty following and understanding instructions; The child has trouble trying to remember what a person has just said to him or her; The child fails to accomplish math skills, writing, spelling, and reading, and thus fails; The child has a difficult time identifying words or has a tendency to reverse numbers, words or letters. For example, confusing no with on, b with d, 52 with 25, and has difficulty distinguishing left from right; The child lacks coordination in sports, walking, or small activities such as tying a shoelace or holding a pencil; The child easily misplaces or loses schoolbooks, homework, or other items; The child cannot understand the concept of time; and is confused by the concept of tomorrow, today and yesterday.
Such problems require a comprehensive evaluation by an expert who can assess all of the various issues affecting the child. An adolescent or child psychiatrist can work with school officials; help coordinate the evaluation, and have the educational and evaluation done to clarify if a learning disability exists. This usually includes talking with the family and child, reviewing the educational testing, consulting with the school, and evaluating their situation.
The adolescent and child psychiatrist can then make recommendations on the need for special help such as speech therapy or special educational services, the appropriate school placement. He can also help parents to assist their child with maximizing his or her potential for learning. A family or individual psychotherapy may be recommended.
Prescription medication may be required for distractibility or hyperactivity. It is important to strengthen the child’s self confidence which is so necessary for healthy development, and also help parent’s better cope and understand the realities of living with a child with learning disabilities.
