Learning Differently, Together
For millions of children, the road to literacy is full of twists Audrey, who is now nine years-old, was
diagnosed with a learning disability when she was three… a disability that would inhibit her from successfully reading or writing for many years. As her parents, recognizing that Audrey could not learn normally was both devastating and heart breaking. Where had my husband and I gone wrong as parents?
The bright-eyed, wildly creative toddler we read to every night since she was in the womb was destined to struggle academically and psychologically. In fact, she would not be able to say her ABCs until she was almost six years-old or read anything of substance until she was almost eight. The shame and low selfesteem brought on by being behind the other children caught up with Audrey as early as five. We were aware, and then she was even more aware.
There is no doubt, it’s scary to admit that your child is struggling to learn. Most parents fear that their child may be labeled for life if he or she is identified as having a learning disability. At least 2.7 million children are receiving help in school because of a learning disability. The National Institutes of Health estimate that one of every seven Americans (15 percent) has some degree of learning disability. Bottom-line; you are not alone!| It is important that you seek help as soon as you realize your child is having difficulty learning — even if you just suspect there is an issue. Here are some potential warning signs. |
As parents, my husband and I had absolutely no idea how to help Audrey… or, even if there was help. But, somewhere early on, I read a metaphor that helped me understand how my daughter’s brain was processing information. Basically, the metaphor said this:
A lot of people, to get home, will take a certain exit off the highway and get there no problem. Whereas the learning-disabled kid will get there, but sometimes it means turning around, going backwards, getting off at the wrong exit or taking a long, convoluted way to get there.
The point is, they do arrive. The metaphor put me at ease and my daughter on the path to success.
Audrey had hope. . .and, hope has paid off for her. But, it’s definitely not easy and it takes a lot of work and support. People with learning disabilities aren’t stupid or lazy, said Barbara Rand, MS, MA, and the only licenced educational therapist in the state of Idaho. They’re as smart as anybody else. Some are extremely gifted.
They are intelligent people who have trouble learning because their minds process words or information differently, said Rand. It is not easy to talk with your child about a disability that you do not fully understand. Be informed. It is important to be honest and optimistic, explain to your child that they learn differently, but that they can learn. Focus on your child’s talents and strengths.
Some disabilities affect reading; others writing, math, spatial skills, organization, memory, movement, social skills, or often a combination. Some are mild, some severe, and some occur with other conditions such as attention deficit disorder.
It is important that you seek help as soon as you realize your child is having difficulty learning even if you just suspect there is an issue. This is what saved Audrey. Seeking help and recognizing the early signs of a learning disability can mean the difference between success and failure for your child in school.
Parents can contact their local school district to get their children evaluated for learning disabilities, said Melissa McGrath, the public information officer at the Idaho State Department of Education. If a child is diagnosed prior to starting school, parents can then work with the school district to see if they have resources available for helping your child prepare for kindergarten.
Dan Hollar, spokesperson for the Boise School District, said the district offers free preschool screening for any child between three and five years-old. Call your child’s local school district office to obtain information about programs and screening dates.
According to recent national research, the majority of learning disabilities affect reading and language skills. In fact, a significant majority of students with a learning disability have problems with reading. If these children receive appropriate help in the early grades, most of them will become skilled, independent readers. When help is delayed, it becomes harder and harder for children to catch up, so early diagnosis is key.
One of the most important reasons to seek help early is to spare children the frustration and failure they experience when they don’t do well in school and don’t know why. It’s important that your child understands that he or she simply learns differently.
Meet with your child’s teachers, tutors, and school support personnel to understand performance levels and requirements that can help your child achieve. Observe your child’s ability to study, complete homework, and finish tasks that you assign at home.
Ask school authorities to provide a comprehensive educational evaluation including assessment tests. Tests for learning disabilities are referred to as assessment tests because they evaluate and measure areas of strengths and weaknesses. A comprehensive evaluation, however, includes a variety of procedures in addition to the assessment tests, such as interviews, direct observation, reviews of your child’s educational and medical history, and conferences with professionals who work with your child. Either you or the school can request this evaluation, but it is given only with your written permission.
If your child is identified as having a learning disability, it is your right under IDEA to have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Basically, this is a written document that summarizes your child’s current educational performance, establishes short-term educational goals and outlines annual goals.
Since you are one of the best observers of your child’s development, it is important that you be an active participant in the evaluation process. If you don’t understand the test results, ask questions.
Don’t let limitations and boundaries keep you from advocating for your child. Even though it has been a long and hard process for us, we have given Audrey the opportunity to learn how to read successfully by seeking out information and help. Today Audrey is a happy, reading and writing fool.
It is true. . .learning together is better than learning alone.
Stephanie Worrell is a freelance writer and the mother of Audrey. Since her daughter's diagnosis as learning disabled, Worrell has spent the past five years extensively researching and identifying local resources on this topic. She and her husband have worked daily to learn together with Audrey—along with her teachers, her education specialist (Barbara Rand) and the friends and family that have enabled Audrey to learn differently, thus helping her succeed in her quest to read and feel confident.