What to Do if You Think Your Child Has a Learning Disability
Parents are the people that spend the most time with their children, they know their strengths and their weaknesses. They understand what they are capable of and what learning challenges cause them problems or difficulty. Because of this, parents can be the first line in determining if a child may have a learning disability.
But what should a parent do when they see their child struggling and aren’t sure of the reason why? What if they think their child may have a learning disability?
Educate Yourself
Learning disabilities come in all shapes and sizes. A child can struggle with reading, writing, mathematics or have trouble with abstract concepts. A child could have difficulties processing visual or auditory information. A child may have problems in just one area, or be struggling in several different areas. When parents see their child struggling with schoolwork, it is important to find out about the different types of learning disabilities and how each one can impact a child’s learning.
Although there are a number of different learning disabilities, all with different characteristics, there are also common signs of learning disabilities. Parents should review not only the general signs of learning disabilities, but should read information on specific learning disabilities.
If a child is struggling with reading, spelling or math, or is below grade level, a parent has the right to request an evaluation from the school district.
Meet with the Teacher
Set up a time to meet with your child’s teacher, or teachers. Teachers can provide a great deal of information on how a child is doing in school. Teachers have the opportunity to observe a child in a number of different situations. They notice if a child is hesitant to participate in class activities, is struggling in certain areas or is having a problem with socialization.
In addition, teachers can offer insight on the quality of a child’s work. Class work can sometimes offer a different view of schoolwork. Homework can be completed without time limits; class work must be completed within time limits. Comparing and viewing work completed under both these situations can offer additional clues into difficulties a child may be having.
