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Learning Disability

What is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is a term used to refer to a neurological disorder. This happens when an individual’s brain does not function the way it is suppose to. Children that are diagnosed with a learning disability have problems listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling, and organizing information into sensible ways.

Learning disabilities can not be cured or fixed; it is something that an individual will have to live with for the rest of their lives. Once an individual gets the right support and assistance they need, many children with these disabilities are able to succeed in school, and in whatever careers and goals they have for their future. Children with learning disabilities need to be encouraged to work through their issues and to not give up because it is a little harder for them.

Approximately fifteen percent of the population suffers from some sort of learning disability. Many learning disabilities are genetic and run in families. Learning disabilities should not be confused with autism, mental retardation, and behavioral disorders.

Common types of learning disabilities
They a re five types of learning disabilities that can be prevalent in a child. They are as follows:

1-         Dyslexia- This is a disability in which a child does not comprehend the written words. They see the words reversed or in a different order.
2-         Dyscalculia- This is a disability in which a person can not solve arithmetic problems.
3-         Dysgraphia- This is a disability in which children is unable to form letters or write out words within a certain or given space.
4-         Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders- This disability occurs when an individual has problems understanding language even thou they have normal vision and hearing skills.
5-         Nonverbal Learning Disability- This is a disability that starts in the right side of the brain, causing problems for the person regarding organizational, and evaluative processing functions.

Early Signs of Learning Disabilities
The important thing is for parents and guardians to be able to recognize the early signs of learning disabilities. In doing so, the child can get early help and be able to adjust and lead a normal life. Some of the early signs include the following:

1.         If the child speaks later than other children his or her age.
2.         If the child has problems pronouncing words or phrases.
3.         If the child’s vocabulary is limited, and it does not grow at all.
4.         If the child has problems with numbers. Either recognizing them or manipulating them.
5.         If the child is restless and easily distracted, and can not concentrate for long periods of time.
6.         If the child has problems following simple directions and does not develop key motor skills.

How should parents respond?
Many times parents find it hard to admit that their child might have a problem. This failure to admit this could hurt the child more in the long run. However, if a parent gets early help for a child it can mean a load of difference to a child.

Parents should encourage children in the areas that they are strong in. Many times they can excel in sports, music and art. Their creative instincts are greater in some of these children than in others that don’t suffer from learning disabilities. A parent should meet with the child’s doctor, and discuss these developmental issues. Tests for learning disabilities can be done, so that a proper assessment and evaluation can be done. Once this takes place, a proper educational track can be laid out for the parents and child.

Once the child is ready to start school, it will also be important to discuss these issues with the schools principle and teachers, ensuring that the child will get the proper attention he or she needs. This will also prevent the child from feeling that they are stupid and not as smart as the other students.

Finally, it is important to discuss these learning disabilities with the child. They need to understand that just because they have a learning disability it does not mean that they will not be able to learn the same things as other children; it will just take a little bit more time and patience. They need to know that they are not alone, and that they will have a support team to help the. This way they always believe that they can lead a productive life.

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