What to do When You Suspect Your Child Has LD
Learning Disabilities are Real.
According to the National Institutes of Health, USA, learning disabilities affect 15% of America's school children. Using a specific learning disability as an illustration, the the United Kingdom, the working assumption is that 5% of the population is dyslexic and an addition 5% of the population has some mild form of dyslexia.
In the US, up to 8% of elementary school children are estimated to suffer from reading disabilties. Based on the number of primary one students enrolled in Singapore for 2001, approximately 2487 students (5%) in that cohort could likely be suffering from dyslexia1.
Benefits of Early Intervention
If you suspect that your child has a learning disability, don't despair. As parents, you can work towards empowering yourselves and those who work with your child for the best possible outcome. With early intervention, children with learning differences can learn strategies to achieve as well as other youngsters do.
We have compiled some TIPS below on how as parents, you could possibly do once you suspect your child has a learning difficulty:
Collect Information About Your Child's Performance
Organizing information about your child will help you to monitor progress. Meet with your child's teachers and other school personnel to understand his or her performance and attitude towards school. Observe your child's ability to study, do homework and finish the tasks you assign at home. Keep a file of all the materials about his or her education including tests and results. Keep a record of what you notice and about your talks with professionals. This dated information will be valuable in planning for your child.
Consider Having Your Child Assessed
Get in touch with professionals or organisations which offer developmental assessment services. Be clear about why you might want your child assessed. Approach the assessment process positively. A developmental assessment may give useful information about your child's learning styles and abilities, helping parents to focus on areas where the child needs help. A well-balanced assessment would take into account the child's strengths and how these can be maximised to enhance learning.
Teamwork between Parents, Teachers & Professionals
Depending on whether your child qualifies for special education, it is important that your child's learning needs be addressed. This can be done through done through an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) with educators in special education, particularly if the child qualifies for special education. If not, it is key to see how you can garner support from your child's teacher and school administration to see how learning plans can be structured to meet your child's needs, albeit on an informal basis.
Find Ways To Help
It is possible that you may encounter apprehension from school administration or teachers, particularly if they feel that they do not have the resources nor the expertise to deal with your child's special learning challenges. As parents, you can help lessen this load by making available services of professionals where the school may turn to for advice (eg. therapists and other professionals).
Depending on how receptive your child's school is, changes can be made to classroom routines and strategies. Talk to your child's teachers about different ideas to enhance learning, for instance reading aloud or using visual strategies to improve communication.
Talk To Your Child
For the older child, reassure your child that having a learning disability only means that his or her mind works on words and information a little differently. It does not mean being stupid or lazy. Be honest and optimistic with your child. Explain that though learning may be a struggle he or she can still succeed.
Know Your Child's Strengths and Emphasize These!
Children with learning disabilities are often very smart, or good leaders, or outstanding in sports or creative areas like art or sculpture. Focus on your child's strengths as well as helping with the difficulties. Little successes build big esteem!
Work With Your Child At Home
Help your child establish structure at home. For instance, establishing a regular time for homework or play, with a specific place for it and giving lots of encouragement. Praise your child for work well done and practice good school behavior at home.
Learn About Initiatives Within the Educational System
Learn about what your community leaders are doing to help students with learning difficulties or disabilities. This will ensure that your child is getting the most help that is available within the system.
Join With Others
The best way to learn more about learning disabilities is to join support groups. These are platforms where parents, teachers and professionals come together to see how children with learning differences can be helped. You will get the latest information and find new ways for your child to reach their full potential.
If you are a parent of a child with learning differences, and would like to add to our resource and tips, please do email us at: info@exploralearning.com. We will be happy to hear from you. You can make that difference!
Adapted using information from the Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities (CCLD), a collaboration of leading U.S. nonprofit learning disabilities organizations. ©Copyright 1999
Information leaflet available for download via PDF format, distributed electronically, with permission from CCLD
Other sources: (1) Developing a Comprehensive Strategy for Children with Learning Disabilities in the Mainstream Schools by Ms Chang Li Lin, Research Associate, The Institute of Policy Studies, Singapore http://www.ips.org.sg
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