What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a disorder in understanding
or using spoken or written language. Individuals with
learning disabilities may have average or even above-average
intelligence, but experience problems with:
The term learning disabilities does not apply to children
who have learning problems caused by visual or hearing
handicaps, mental retardation, emotional disturbance,
or environmental, economic or cultural disadvantage.
What causes a learning disability?
Learning disabilities are often inherited. In many
cases, however, the cause of a learning disability is
not known.
Besides a family history of learning disabilities,
other risk factors include low birth weight, stress
before or after birth, infections of the central nervous
system and severe head injuries.
There is little scientific evidence to show that poor
vision, abnormal focusing, jerky eye movements, and
misaligned or crossed eyes cause learning disabilities.
Instead, research points to problems with how the brain
interprets what is read. Normally, when we read, our
brain relates visual images to previous experiences
and known information (such as the meaning of words).
A learning disability occurs when the brain processes
this information differently.
What are the signs of a learning disability?
Before a child begins school, parents are usually not
aware that their child has a learning disability.
In school situations, the following signs may suggest
a learning disability:
-
difficulty or dislike of reading
-
poor handwriting
-
slow writing speed
-
difficulty with math
-
difficulty putting information in order
-
difficulty understanding abstract concepts
-
memory problems
-
difficulty with language (for example, trouble
following oral directions or remembering words).
Parents should be aware that children with learning
disabilities may develop certain personality and behavioral
problems.
Children with learning disabilities may become frustrated,
lose interest in school work and soon try to avoid difficult
tasks altogether.
Learning disabilities can also damage a child's developing
self-image and cause emotional problems such as withdrawal,
anxiety, depression, or aggression.
Do the eyes have anything to do with learning disabilities?
It may seem easy to blame reading problems on the eyes,
but learning disabilities are caused by the brain,
not the eyes. Children with learning disabilities
do not have more visual problems than children without
learning disabilities.
Your eye functions like a camera. After the eye "takes
the picture," the image is sent to your brain by
the optic nerve.
Your eyes do not understand what they see any more
than a camera understands the photograph it takes. Until
the photo is processed, it has no meaning. Similarly,
until your brain interprets images seen by your eyes,
the image has no meaning.
How are learning disabilities treated?
A child with a learning disability needs to practice
academic skills and learn helpful strategies with the
aid of a trained specialist, just as an athlete needs
to practice under the eye of a coach.
No scientific evidence has shown that visual training,
muscle, perceptual or hand/eye coordination exercises
can improve a child's learning disability.
If you or your child's teachers suspect a learning
disability, you should contact the school, and if necessary,
the local or state Director of Special Education. Public
law requires schools to evaluate any child who is thought
to have a learning disability. The evaluation is handled
by educators and typically involves educational and
psychological testing. Other evaluations may be conducted
by a learning disabilities specialist, a speech/language
pathologist, an audiologist or a school nurse.
A thorough medical eye examination can discover a visual
defect that may affect reading.
It is important that parents and teachers participate
in this process and are involved when decisions about
the child's educational needs are being made.
Remedial training should be done by a certified learning
disabilities specialist or tutor in special classes
or schools.
A child with learning disabilities needs understanding
and emotional support, as well as opportunities to experience
success in other activities. Allowing a child to "release"
tensions and frustrations through sports or artistic
activities can be helpful.
Are there cures for learning disabilities?
Learning disabilities are complex problems. There are
no quick fixes. Simple solutions, such as diet, megavitamins,
sugar restriction, eye exercises, eyeglasses or vision
training, do not cure learning disabilities.
These approaches may delay the educational assistance
that your child needs. Most of these treatments are
costly, and your resources could be better spent on
remedial educational programs. With proper help, children
with learning disabilities can become very successful.
The following organizations can provide further information
on learning disabilities:
National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc.
381 Park Ave. South
New York, NY 10016
The Orton Society
724 York Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21204
The International Dyslexia Society
8600 Lasalle Rd.
Chester Bldg.
Suite 382
Baltimore, MD 21286-2044
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Blvd.
PO Box 927
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927
Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
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