On Learning Disabilities
by Cindy StephensonErich started kindergarten as a bright and happy five-year-old. As the year progressed, he became more and more withdrawn. He didn’t want to go to school and constantly feigned illness. His parents were concerned and contacted a local registered psychologist to have him assessed. Erich was diagnosed with a learning disability.
Learning disabilities are neurological disorders that affect the processes we use to perceive, think, remember and learn. They are caused by problems in the central nervous system or injuries that change the way our brain works—not by a low IQ.
You can’t tell by looking at someone that they have a learning disability, which makes it hard to diagnose. People with learning disabilities find it much harder to process, use and retain information. Many people with learning disabilities struggle for a long time before they discover there’s a reason they are having so much trouble learning.
“I’m always fascinated how learning disabilities may not initially present as learning disabilities, unless you really know what you’re looking at,” says one Victoria parent whose son was diagnosed with a learning disability. “Because kids with learning disabilities are frequently bright, their coping mechanisms can be perceived as lack of cooperation, obstinate attitude or disinterest in participating.”
Students with learning disabilities often struggle to do things that their classmates take for granted, such as screening out classroom background noise in order to focus on what the teacher is saying, copying things down from the blackboard, or making sense of what they have just read. A learning disability may also affect their ability to pay attention and cause them to be hyperactive or easily distracted.
Up to 15 per cent of all children have a learning disability and do not perform in accordance with their age or talents. The main reason these children underachieve is not for lack of trying. It’s often because they have not been taught in a way that they can learn.
If you sense that your child is struggling to learn, remember that you know your child better than anyone else and are often the best person to pick up on any early warning signs. These may come up when your child is doing homework or when they get a report card.
The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) has published a checklist of signs that may point to a learning disability (see the website info below). Most parents will see one or more of these warning signs from time to time in their children. This is normal, according to the LDAC. However, if you observe several characteristics consistently over a period of time, you should have your child assessed, keeping in mind that the sooner children are diagnosed, the sooner they can get the kind of teaching they need.
As parents, we may hope the problem will resolve itself, that our child is just going through a phase, and that everything will be OK in a few months. Sadly, this is often not the case. And as children get older, their issues with learning often become more difficult to resolve.
If you suspect your preschool child is underachieving, the best place to start is with a visit to your family doctor to rule out any vision or hearing problems. You may also want to solicit input from your child’s caregivers or preschool teachers. People in these professions see thousands of children over the years, and have a clear understanding of normal toddler development. They are often quick to pick up on whether or not a child is struggling and should be assessed.
Once your child starts school, talk with his teacher as there may be something the school can do to help. The best strategy is then a formal assessment by a trained specialist and timely specialized assessments and interventions. This can be arranged through your child’s school, or by contacting a registered psychologist in private practice. If you don’t understand the test results, ask questions.
Remember Erich? Five years later, his mom notes that, “With the appropriate intervention and support, Erich is reading with confidence and is a happy well-adjusted child who loves to go to school.”
A learning disability is a lifelong issue that can’t be fixed by simply paying more attention, trying harder, or being more motivated. With the right support and intervention, however, children with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on to lead successful and happy lives.
Resources Learning Disabilities Association of Canada:
www.ldac-taac.caLearning Disabilities Association of BC:
www.ldabc.caLearning Disabilities Association of BC—South Vancouver Island Chapter:
www.ldasvi.bc.ca/home.aspCindy Stephenson volunteers for Discovery School, an independent Victoria school dedicated exclusively to teaching students with learning disabilities. You can contact Discovery School at discoveryschool.ca or 250-595-7765.
