learning disabled
What Mothers Say about Special Education: From the 1960s to the Present
This book documents the experiences of 15 mothers whose children labeled learning disabled attended public schools during the last four decades. Despite the right of parents to participate in educational decision-making, these mothers describe the challenge of exercising that right. In candid and compelling narratives, mothers speak to the language of experts, conflicts in shared decision-making, devaluation of “mother knowledge,” and the influence of race, clas… More >>
What Mothers Say about Special Education: From the 1960s to the Present
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Math Tutoring for Kids Who are Gifted and Learning Disabled
It is easy to misunderstand a child who is both learning disabled and gifted. Mentally retarded, or “slow,” are the labels often mistakenly given to persons with learning disabilities. Because of these misconceptions, a child who is gifted and who is also learning disabled often experiences a very challenging life. Academically, the child may perform poorly, but more important is the potentially damaging psychological impact of being perceived by others as “dumb” or mentally deficient, despite possessing the unlocked abilities and potential to excel. The self-confidence required for dealing with these issues and progressing past them can be achieved through success with a tutor.
Intellectual giftedness is exceptional in its own right–this is what many experts fail to realize. Social deprivation and poor classroom performance are just a couple of the problems that are experienced by both gifted children and those with mental retardation. Also, similar problems can be caused by a learning disability. There are particularly tricky challenges if a child is learning disabled but otherwise gifted.
A lot of times, gifted children who have learning difficulties have problems in school. Their learning disability can lead to a decrease in motivation as well as difficulty in completing classroom tasks which may, as a result, mask their true potential. But in other endeavors, such as music or dance, the child may be highly creative and intelligent. An undiagnosed learning problem may also lead to the opposite problem: an otherwise gifted child may struggle in school due to the presence of a learning disability not yet diagnosed.
Parents must become knowledgeable about the signs of various learning disabilities and of being gifted. There may be a huge gap between test results (measuring academic potential) and actual academic performance for a gifted child with a learning disability. It’s also possible for such children to display impressive creative intelligence, that manifests itself only at home and not in the grades they receive at school. Behavior problems, or “acting out,” is not uncommon among children with learning disabilities, especially when frustration builds. If your child is displaying these characteristic features, you may wish to have your child evaluated for the presence of a learning disability.
Learning disability tests can be administered by school officials with ease. Inevitably, smart children with learning disabilities fall through the cracks in public schools; there isn’t enough attention to help everyone. If a parent or the child himself feels that they need to be tested for a learning disability, the parent must become the child’s advocate. Any student has the right to take a learning disability test; this right to test for suspected learning disabilities is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. First talk with your child’s teacher and if you find that you are not getting anywhere, it is essential to go to the school’s officials.
A number of options exist for children that are diagnosed as gifted and learning disabled. A gifted child might need extra resources; a really gifted child may need to skip a grade or more. Opportunities for cultural field trips and art classes, to aid in experiential (not just instructional) learning, should be regularly offered. Alternative information presentation, special classes, or technological aids each help with some learning disabilities.
Studies have concluded that the optimum environment for children who are gifted and have a learning disability is one that accepts differences and provides help with the learning disability; further, it is still extremely important that they be challenged regularly. A tutor who can work one-on-one can use this learning environment to attain more successful results. In addition, these children should be offered every chance to put forth their own preferences and desires. Their intelligence will help considerably; they can understand the implications of their learning disability and thus better cope with it. Children who are gifted and learning disabled, with the correct interventions in place, have a fantastic chance of becoming successful adults. After it is determined what the diagnosis is, the parents and child can then begin to learn how best to cope with it. The child needs not only support for the learning disability, but an environment that gives him or her challenges and stimulation.
Children who are gifted and learning disabled have an excellent chance to become successful adults. Once the learning disability is diagnosed, coping strategies can be integrated into the child’s life. It is important to provide the child with a stimulating, intellectually challenging environment that includes support for the learning disability.
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Understanding Learning Dificulties and Disabilities
Imagine having something very important to say but you just can’t get your thoughts across or make the person understand what you are trying to convey. You may feel bombarded by sights and sounds, unable to focus your attention.
You may not need to imagine this, you may understand it. You might be the parent or relative of a child experiencing learning problems, or have a loved one in your family diagnosed as learning disabled. Although different from person to person, learning difficulties are common daily experiences of many children and adults. Those with a learning disability may experience a feeling of failure and low self-esteem. OK, enough doom and gloom. It is important to understand that those with learning disabilities can and do learn and learn well.
This type of disability usually only affects certain limited areas of development, rarely are learning disabilities severe enough to prevent a person living a happy and normal life. This can effect a persons life a lot or very little. One thing is sure and that is our understanding, reaction and response to the person with learning difficulties, drastically effects that person.
Being patient, trying to understand and treating the person with respect greatly reduces their frustration and anxiety, helps them relax, feel less tense but most of all gives them time to think without pressure or fear of failure.
This article is not designed to tell you all about learning difficulties, it is merely here to help you understand and relate with confidence and in doing so ease the pressure for the learning disabled to better cope with their disability.
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How to Deal With a Child With a Learning Disability
A learning disabled child needs help and parents should provide it through patience, love and proper knowledge. It is important that parents understand that a child’s learning disability is not a hindrance for a happy childhood. It is the duty of parents to discover the strengths of the child and nurture them to build self confidence. A learning disabled child needs protection but parents must also determine situations when the child has to be left independent to discover his or her talents and skills.
The signs and symptoms of learning disability vary from one child to another. Thus, the methods of handling each child also differ. Here are some general tips for parents of children with learning disability:
Develop skills, interests and talents
A learning disability is not the totality of the child. A parent must understand that every child has potentials for optimum development and a learning disability should never be a hindrance to achieve this goal. Seek the help of experts in finding ways to discover the skills, interests and talents of the child. After knowing what the child desires, parents can research on methods on how to encourage the child to reach his or her potential.
Don’t expect too much
Teaching a learning disabled child would not be easy so be prepared to adjust lessons according to the child’s abilities. Do not expect that the child will understand basic concepts immediately. Lessons and even daily activities need to be explained step-by-step until the learning disabled child fully understand the concept. Repetitive discussions are to be done. Parents are advised not to expect too much but rather focus on the small accomplishments of the child with learning disability.
Practice discipline
A child with learning disability still requires discipline. A parent must carefully explain the rules and the consequences. The child must understand that the rules are set for his or her own benefit. Moreover, a parent must also provide enough space for the child to explore and gain independence.
Encourage curiosity
Some studies revealed that a child with learning disability is a lazy learner. Encouraging curiosity is a healthy way to help a child take interest in learning. Parents should show enthusiasm in every day occurrences and even in simple and ordinary things to encourage curiosity. Do a research on creative activities to do together with the child.
Create a schedule for storytelling
Reading may be difficult for some learning disabled children but parents can encourage interest through it. It can also be a quality bonding moment between the parents and the child. A parent can encourage participation through question and answer. In some cases, a child may be asked to retell the story based on his or her own understanding. This is a beneficial way to know the level of understanding of a child with learning disability.
Involve a learning disabled child in the daily family life
A learning disabled child should not be contained in his or her own world. He or she should be included in the daily activities of the family. It is advantageous for the child to feel that he or she can share in basic household chores. A learning disabled child may find it enjoyable also to discover that he or she can be trusted with a small responsibility in the house.
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