What are Learning disabilities?

[misty]

What is a learning disability?

LD is a disorder that affects people's ability to either interpret what they see and hear or to link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show up in many ways: as specific difficulties with spoken and written language, coordination, self control, or attention. Such difficulties extend to schoolwork and can impede learning to read, write, or do math.

What are the types of learning disabilities?
LD is a broad term that covers a pool of possible causes, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes. Because of this it is difficult to diagnose or to pinpoint the causes. Learning Disabilities can be divided up into three broad categories. These types of learning disabilities include:

Developmental speech and language disorders
Academic skills disorders
"Other" a catch-all that includes certain coordination disorders and learning handicaps not covered by the other terms
Each one of these categories includes a number of more specific disorders.

[Source: National Institutes of Health, 1993]

What causes learning disabilities?
No one knows what causes learning disabilities as of now. There are too many possibilities to pin down the cause of the disability with certainty. A leading theory among scientists is that learning disabilities stem from subtle disturbances in the brain structures and functions. It is more important, however, that families not dwell on the causes but rather move forward in finding ways to get the right help.

For onfo on Developmental Speech & Lang. Disorders use this link:

www.ldonline.org/abcs_info/ld_types.html#anchor1193646

For info on acedemic skills Disorders use This link:

www.ldonline.org/abcs_info/ld_types.html#anchor1204352

For info on all other LDs use this link:

www.ldonline.org/abcs_info/ld_types.html#anchor1214703

(This info & the links are from ldonline.org)

[misty]

Learning Disabilities and Psychological Problems — An Overview

Children with learning disabilities (LD) often have problems that go far beyond those experienced in reading, writing, math, memory, or organization. For many, strong feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or shame can lead to psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, as well as behavioral problems such as substance abuse or juvenile delinquency.

read how to spot these problems & how to help your child solve them here:

www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=746

[katiekat]

I have a question-and you guys are all so helpful and have probably been through much of what I am going through now. My son will be starting kindergarten next week so Im a little new to this. I believe he may have a learning disabilty and that's what Im trying to figure out. Does he? Or does the fact that he never pays attention(in pre school) hinder his learning? He will be 6 in a month and does not even recognize his numbers 1-10 or the majority of his letters. I only have my older son to compare him to and I know all kids are different but he knew so much more at this age. His pre school teacher told me academically and socially he is way behind the other kids. The child study team had us and his teacher fill out the Connors rating scale but said because of his hyperactivity it would be pointless to evaluate him at this point. I want to be pro active and set him up for success in kindergarten since he spent alot of time in"time out" at preschool. Any suggestions?

[misty]

I say if you can find out now, that would be great! I didnt find out my daughter had Learning Disabilities until 2nd grade & by then she was SO far behind! She was in a private, Lutheran school & they had a psychologist come in & test her. I had NO other kids to compare her too so I never even thought of an LD. It was the teacher that brought it up. Anyway, they tested her & found she had 2 LDs. I would ask the school to test him. If thet balk at testing him, request it in writing & mail it return reciept requested. That way the HAVE to comply within the allotted time period.

My dog is here pestering me to go out so I'm cutting this short, but let me know what, if any, more info you need & I'll dig through my papers & get you some links or info or whatever you need.

[Charlie Girl]

Hopefully after he has been in school a few weeks, you can talk to the teacher and get a better idea of his strengths and weaknesses. She may be able to tell you whether she thinks its just the hyperactivity or something added to the mix.

Is he on meds for the ADHD? As hyper as he is, if its preventing him from learning even the basics, you may need to consider them.

What do you think? Does he seem like a little sponge at home? Does he learn quickly if its something that interests him and/or is hands on? All of that can be used to help pin point what he can and can't actually do.

ADHD can look like other LDs. It is also common to have other LDs with it. My suggestion is to give it a couple of weeks, possibly try meds during school hours, then talk frankly to the teacher. See if the meds enable him to function and learn. If they don't there probably is an LD along with the ADHD.

I do want to suggest that you read up on CAPD (APD) and NVLD. See if either of those seem like they may be your son.

What is he like? What is his personality? Does he seem to ignore you a lot? Have you had his hearing and vision tested?

[annem]

I have to sooo much agree with Misty here ... My son too was only recognised as having an LD when he was around ... ummm ... around aged 7 I guess it was .. and I wish so much it was picked up before ... !!

Eventually at around that age the school said "We feel he needs some extra help in reading and maths ... " and he got it ...

but in High school he was considered NOT needing it ... !! (Oh but he did!) ...

Eventually after high school and onto college and he finally "got it" so much better with both maths and english and went on to take exams which in turn finally allowed him the equivalent of "A-B" level of exams that he had only got D-E in at school!!

Soooo .. I say ... "Get it diagnosed EARLY if you can and make them STICK WITH IT !" ...

[katiekat]

I definitely agree that the sooner the better applies here. Working with special ed kids in middle school I've seen what happens when kids somehow slip through the cracks. 7th graders that cannot read-I dont want that happening to Sean. The thing that gets me is that some people(in laws) think Im just trying to make something "wrong" with him. Believe me I wish it could be smooth sailing for him but its not happening that way. There are definitely problems. I just want whatever they are defined so I can help him. Charlie-I actually read up on CAPD and it does sound similar to my son. Hes not on any meds yet but we have been looking into it.Im just concerned because he recently had heart surgery for a PAD which they found at his kindergarten physical. Kid cant get a break.

[misty]

Heart surgery! Oh my. He HAS been through alot & at such a young age!

Ok, please tell me, whats a PAD?

[katiekat]

PDA sorry typo. Patent ductus arteriosis. It is a opening between 2 chambers of the heart that all unborn babies have that is supposed to close right after birth and when it doesnt close completely its a PDA.

[misty]

Oh. WOW, that must've been so scary for you. Thank God it was found & able to be corrected!

[katiekat]

Very scary. But amazingly it was an out patient procedure and by the next day he was bouncing off the walls. He was supposed to "take it easy" for a week after. hahahahahaha

[misty]

Kids! They recover so FAST! And while we are still fussing & worrying, they are right back to normal.

I'm so glad it all turned out so wonderfully.

[jj]

I am learning so much here! I've never heard of PDA either. I'm so happy he recovered so quickly. I can see why meds are especially concerning for you.

[katiekat]

I never thought it would make a difference but in ads ive seen in magazines some meds for ADHD say not to take if you have a heart condition.