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Parents are often worried and disappointed when their
child has learning problems. There are many reasons for school failure,
but a common one is a specific learning disability. A child with a
learning disability is usually bright and initially tries very hard to
follow instructions, concentrate and "be good" at home and in school.
Yet despite this effort he or she is not mastering school tasks and
falls behind. Some learning disabled children also have trouble sitting
still or paying attention. Learning disabilities affect as many as 15%
of otherwise able schoolchildren.
It is believed that learning disabilities are caused
by a difficulty with the nervous system that affects receiving,
processing or communicating information. Some learning disabled children
are also hyperactive and/or distractible with a
short attention span.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists point out that
learning disabilities are treatable, but if not detected and treated
early, they can have a tragic "snowballing" effect. For instance, a
child who does not learn addition in elementary school cannot understand
algebra in high school. The child, trying very hard to learn, becomes
more and more frustrated, and develops emotional problems such as low
self-esteem in the face of repeated failure. Some learning disabled
children misbehave in school because they would rather be seen as "bad"
than "stupid".
Parents should be aware of the most frequent
signals of learning disabilities, when a child:
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Has difficulty understanding and following
instructions.
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Has trouble remembering what someone just told him
or her.
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Fails to master reading, writing, and/or math
skills, and thus fails schoolwork.
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Has difficulty distinguishing right from left—for
example, confusing 25 with 52, "b" with "d, or "on" with "no."
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Lacks coordination—in walking, sports, or small
activities such as holding a pencil or tying a shoelace.
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Easily loses or misplaces homework, schoolbooks or
other items.
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Cannot understand the concept of time; is confused
by "yesterday," "today," "tomorrow."
Such problems deserve an evaluation...an evaluator
will make recommendations on appropriate school placement, the need for
special help such as special educational therapy or speech-language
therapy and steps parents can take to assist their child in maximizing
his or her learning potential... It is important to strengthen the
child’s self-confidence, so vital for healthy development, and also help
parents and other family members cope with the realities of living with
learning disabilities.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry provides this important information as a public service to
assist parents and families in their most important roles...
The Facts for families sheets may be duplicated and
distributed free of charge as long as the American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry is properly credited and no profit is gained from
their use.
Reprinted and edited by Essential Learning
Institute 334 2nd Street, Catasauqua, PA
18032-2501. For proven home education programs
call (800) 285-9089
Please
let us help you. Order your free
Info Pack
today.
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are eager to assist you and know our program will make a
difference. We will commit ourselves to your child’s
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ESSENTIAL LEARNING INSTITUTE
334 2nd Street, Catasauqua, PA 18032-2501
1 (800) 285-9089
thereishelp@ldhope.com
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Copy of "SOLUTIONS FOR
STRUGGLING STUDENTS"
