What Is a Learning Disability & Early Signs

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Laveda: Good evening. I would like to add that I am not only a clinical social worker, but that I am also a parent of two young adults, both of which have a learning difference. One of my children was diagnosed in early childhood<3 yrs. and the other as a college student age 21. Learning disabilities aren't always easy to detect. They are often called the "hidden" disability. However, there are some signs that "may" indicate a learning disability. I am going to discuss those with you this evening.

Shannon H: Laveda, why don't we get started with a question that many people may have. What are some of the early signs?

Laveda: Learning disabilities are learning differences that we believe are caused by a neurological disorder...

Laveda: Most children have some difficulties with learning from time to time, but if we begin to see a pattern over time in the following areas we may have a child that will have a learning difference(LD)...

Laveda: Areas to watch: Learning the alphabet, rhyming words, connecting sounds and letters, retelling stories, copying letters and numbers, counting, playing with peers, language development, following directions and routines...

Shannon H: What is the earliest age that something of this nature can be detected fairly accurately?

Laveda: Young children with LD may have difficulty in one or more areas of development, while other areas are unaffected or even advanced. Areas of development include...

Laveda: Shannon, to answer your question... if there are concerns a child can be evaluated for developmental delays as early as two weeks of age.

Shannon H: I imagine this would be something they could check quite early, especially if there is a history within the family of LD.

Laveda: In regards to peers, when the child shows difficulty playing with peers in a consistent way. We would be speaking of a Kindergarten and older child here. Children with LD often want to play with children younger than themselves.

Shannon H: What kind of tests could be done on a child as young as two weeks? That is curious.

Laveda: Yes, Shannon. We suspect that LD is hereditary. So if there is a history of LD in the family it would not hurt to have the child followed by a developmental pediatrician....

Belinda: At what age should you be concerned that your toddler is not talking? Other than saying Mama & Daddy.

Laveda: Early testing can be done by a clinical/neurological/developmental psychologist or a dev. pediatrician. Both professionals have testing that they can do that basically looks at development of the infant or young child.

Shannon H: What are the interventive methods on a very young child? I'm guessing a difference in stimuli?

Laveda: Belinda, in regards to talking, every child develops at their own pace, but I generally suggest that the child should be putting two words together at age 2, 3 at age 3 and so on. By age 5 they should have a huge vocabulary and be speaking in sentences.

Laveda: Shannon, type of intervention depends on the child's area of delay. If the delay is in language for instance, a speech pathologist would be the primary interventionist and would assist the family in learning methods of intervention.

Shannon H: I would imagine a child with few words but a fairly advanced physical development, such as fine motor skills, would fit into this category?

Laveda: If a child has a speech and language delay there is a very good chance that they will have a learning disability.

Laveda: Shannon, they could, but we would have to see a consistent pattern in areas of concern. Some children devote a good deal of energy to physical development and the other developmental areas come in a little later.

andreas: How do you differentiate between LD and just differences in abilities, personality, talent, etc?

Shannon H: Or birth order. Some children could appear delayed simply because older siblings 'do' for them instead of letting them try for themselves.

Laveda: Good question Andrea. We have to look at intelligence (IQ) and academic abilities. A clinical psychologist will generally do the IQ and abilities testing. When there is a discrepancy between the scores in these two areas we have a learning disability. Children with LD are of average to above average intelligence. Some of those with a high IQ can learn to compensate very well thus there LD may not be discovered until later in life.

Shannon H: Are most children school aged before the LD is clearly evident, particularly when parents do not know quite what to look for?

Laveda: Learning disabilities are generally very challenging for the individual. They present more in the classroom generally than outside of the classroom.

Shannon H: What kind of assessment tool do they use on older individuals? Much the same?

andreas: Interesting...most people think LD means lower intelligence, 'disability.'

Shannon H: I agree with you, Andrea. That must be a very common misconception.

Laveda: Shannon, the majority of children are diagnosed in the 4th grade. This is because children with LD look "typical" so if they do show some of the signs mentioned, they are more likely to be called "lazy", slow, not working up to potential, etc.

Shannon H: Isn't that interesting? So I would guess laziness is not really the key in most of those cases!

Laveda: Andrea, you are correct. Most people think of Mental retardation when they hear LD. That is why it is important to educate parents.

andreas: The text in books decreases in size in 4th grade; parents may notice a change in reading performance then?

Laveda: Shannon, far from it. Children or persons with LD are some of the hardest working people I know. They are definitely not Lazy.

Shannon H: I can't tell you the number of times I have heard that term used with the children who struggle in my daughters' school. How well trained are teachers in this particular area? These are the individuals I hear it from most.

Laveda: Andrea, in regard to reading struggles 4th grade is when parents/educators may realize that the child is behind and is not able to catch up on his own. That seems to be when teachers seem to detect reading problems, but it definitely can be seen earlier.

Laveda: Shannon, unfortunately, unless you are a teacher who has "special educaation" background you may not know very much about LD/ Attention deficit disorder or other "hidden" disabilities.

Shannon H: What about children who resist reading on grade level? Is this any indication or could it be they simply enjoy the 'lighter fare' that younger books offer?

Laveda: Shannon, this can be evaluated. A child should be reading on grade level even if they enjoy other types of reading material. We would need to explore further why this child is not reading on grade level.

Shannon H: Would this assessment need to start in the school or with a pediatrician?

Laveda: For young children developmental screenings are important. In many states they are given free of charge to the pre-K child. Georgia does some screening in their head start programs.

andreas: If a child starts having trouble reading, doesn't want to or doesn't enjoy reading in the 5th, 6th grade as much as in earlier grades, should a parent be concerned or just encourage the child?

Laveda: I would suggest a pre-K screening. For adoptive parents I suggest having the child screened if any of the following 10 items are in their background/history...

Gigi: Was Belinda's question about toddlers talking the last one answered?

chatadmin: Laveda, what can parents do to encourage their child who becomes frustrated with his/her limitations?

Laveda: If the child has a parent who is Mentally retarded (MR), or has a dev. disability; Parent was a substance abuser, or the child had a positive drug screen at birth...

Belinda: It amazes me that adults with LD that struggled through school and still struggle with reading, spelling, etc. , can excel in mechanical and other areas that are hands on work. I guess it's because when we heard LD we thought of Mental Retardation.

Laveda: Is the child over 12 mos. and not talking or walking yet?; Do you have concerns about how the child communicates or walks; Does the child seem to have difficulty hearing or seeing; does the child have an unusual pattern of movement when he/she walks, crawls, runs.; was the child born prematurely or with a very low birth weight.; Did mom and dad receive special educational services in school; did mother drink alcohol during her pregnancy? If Yes to any of those, the child needs to be screened. Sorry for the long answer.

Shannon H: I do not show a question from Belinda either. Belinda, would you like to restate the question you had. We don't mean to ignore you!

Laveda: Chat admin., Parents should be encouraging and supportive at all times. They should always compliment the child on what he/she is able to do. They need to learn as much as possible about their child's LD so that they will know how to encourage the child.

Shannon H: Andrea posed an interesting question re the older child, possibly middle school, that chooses not to read. Always a cause for concern or just a child needing a time out from the pressures of that age range?

Laveda: Belinda, you are right. Adults with LD can do many things. Generally, the academic setting makes them appear confused, lost, distracted, etc. but outside of the academic setting they may have other strengths that make them shine. Many still excel academically too once we find the key to their learning style. Some are more visual, others hands on, and so on.

andreas: Exactly...could they just be intersted in peers & other things and their school work starts to slip...should a parent be concerned or help more?

Laveda: Regarding reading. If a child has difficulty with reading this is going to be a significant issue for them as it will impact their learning. This should never be ignored. Always explore this. It may be dyslexia (an LD) or it may be something related to emotions, but we have to look into it.

Shannon H: This might be an odd question, but how long has the study of LD been refined down to the assessment it is today? I can certainly recall children that I went to school with many years ago that fit what we are talking about almost to the letter. That, of course, was some time ago, but explains alot!

andreas: Educational suggestions? Private, public, homeschool...how to tell where the child will excel in their learning style??

Laveda: Shannon, you are right. In the early 70's we began to hear LD, but it was a catchall term. We refined the LD diagnosis probably in the late 70's and early 80's and scientists are still learning more about LD/ADHD. We learn more about the brain every day.

Shannon H: Do we know whether the dropout rate is higher among frustrated individuals with a high potential for LD? I wonder about any studies that might have been done....!

Laveda: Andrea, a good psychological can assist a parent around deciding what will work best for their child. The Psychologist will generally make recommendations for the classroom (size, private, etc.) Parents know their child best. For my own son, homeschool was the best setting for him. I would recommend looking into homeschooling just because it affords the child to move at his own pace and you can cater to the child's learning style. There are some excellent private schools as well as public too. Parents have to explore all options.

Laveda: Shannon, there have been studies...we have a large number of individuals with LD in prison, youth detention centers, etc. These are very frustrated persons who did not get the assistence they needed when younger.

Gigi: My dyslexia was not discovered untill my jr. year in high school. Reading was my down fall, and I struggled with feelings of low self worth. I think it was one of the reasons I became "Class Clown". I learned other ways to get around my disiableities. Jr. year is very late in life to try and change things. I have trained myself to deal with it, but it is and always will be a struggle.

Laveda: Good resources: The National Center for LD@ www.ncld.org. We also have some good books in the Center's Lending Library. I recommend all of Mel Levine's books and "When you Worry About the Child You Love" by Edward Hollowell, M.D.

Laveda: Gigi thank you for sharing. I have met and worked with many young adults who've had your experience. All persons with LD learn to live with their LD. Sometimes it is more of a struggle when you learn late in life.

Shannon H: Well, Laveda, I think this has been very enlightening for us all. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful expertise with us and helping us all to understand a bit more about LD and the early warning signs. It was very appreciated!

Laveda: I have enjoyed this. Should anyone need more information please feel free to contact me at the Center.

Belinda: Thank you, Laveda! This information will be very helpful to me.

Laveda: Thanks to all of you for joining us on the CHAT!!! Have a good evening.

What Is a Learning Disability & Early Signs - Laveda Doxey,LCSW

Thursday, the 23rd of October 2003