LEARNING DISABILITIES AND YOUR CHILD According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, there are

currently 2.4 million students diagnosed with a learning disability1. Even more go unnoticed, as there is no single test or widely accepted approach to discovering learning disabilities. The difficulty lies within

the fact that within each child, a learning disability can manifest in a different method. With 45 percent of students with a learning disability falling 3 or more grades behind their peers2, quickly finding the best support can be the best way to guide your child towards success.

The best method to identifying a learning disability in your child is through taking note of your child’s strength and weaknesses and honing in on struggle areas. Often times, private boarding schools or private schools for learning disabilities offer the best support solutions for your child to overcome a learning disability and achieve academic success.

The first step towards identifying a learning disability in your child is to first research the different types of learning disabilities. Once you pinpoint your child’s problem areas, you can better pinpoint which tests to conduct to hone in on your child’s disability and how to best support the disability. Some of the most commonly found learning disabilities are dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and ADHD.

Dyslexia is the common name for a reading disability. Often characterized by spelling difficulties, word recognition and decoding the disability causes problems with reading skills and the growth of vocabulary in your child. Dyslexia is the most common of all the learning

disabilities. The National Institute of Child and Human Development predicts that as many as 15 percent of Americans experience trouble with reading comprehension and writing. With much classroom activity based on both reading and writing3, dyslexia can severely affect your child’s progress in school.

Children that demonstrate a difficulty in writing related to motor and information processing skills may be diagnosed with dysgraphia. Poor spelling, handwriting or ability to write down thoughts are some signs of dysgraphia. Students diagnosed with dysgraphia often need extra practice in learning the mechanical skills behind writing.

TYPES OF LEARNING DISABILITIES

While ADHD is not considered a learning disorder, it is often found in students with other learning disabilities. By not being able to stay focused to tasks, being overly restless and inattention are all signs of ADHD and can directly impact your child’s ability to learn. There are two main types of ADHD, being hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. Hyperactive impulsive creates restlessness in students, causing them trouble with quiet activities and causing constant movement or fidgeting. Students experiencing inattentive ADHD can offer find themselves being slow to processing information and instructions along with poor listening and organization skills. Many of the symptoms of ADHD are caused by a breakdown of executive functions in the brain and language based issues.

LEARNING DISORDER SUPPORT

Many schools are required by law to develop and Individualized Education Plan. While these plans provide educational benefits, improved achievement is not guaranteed. When communicating with your child’s school, it is important to be clear and confident in how the school treats your child.

REMEMBER TO: • Clarify your goals • Allow the school to explain their opinions and suggestions. • Offer and research alternative solutions • Remain focused on your child, remembering each child has different areas of disability. • Don’t give up and remember the school is on your side.

With early recognition and intervention, many students who suffer from a learning disorder can be directed towards the support they need for academic success. Gathering and collection information on your child’s progress in school is the first step to monitoring a learning disorder. Often times, a school will work with you to help you discover the problem. Regardless of the disorder, encouragement and positive reinforcement can give your struggling child a sense of self-worth.

Public schools have a lawful obligation to evaluate all possible learning disabled students, but they are not forced to follow through on parent requests. If a school suggests increased academic intervention while refusing to further evaluate a student for a possible learning disorder, be certain to ask for a written explanation and keep all pieces as documentation of the process. Keeping a close, personal connection with the special education staff of your child’s school allows you to better advocate for your child’s learning needs. Occasionally, a public school will provide tuition assistance for students with learning disabilities seeking out the improved special education facilities of a private boarding school.

In larger public schools, a child can often fall between the cracks, as specialty teachers as stretched thin with an increased amount of learning disabled students. Private schools for disabilities enable a parent and their child to work closely with their teachers. Smaller class sizes and increased student – teacher interactions help both teachers and parents to come up with a personalized learning strategy geared towards the child’s success.

Many private schools offer specialists and psychologists on staff, helping students achieve academic success through close monitoring and care. With the aid of a specialized staff member, a child can learn the time management, study and organizational skills that are fundamental to academic achievement. At times, the school will offer different financial aid options for those students with disabilities.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOR DISABILITIES

Just because students with learning disabilities experience more difficulties in the classroom doesn’t mean they are incapable of learning. Many times, classroom struggles can be overcome with effective learning strategies geared towards their specific needs whether dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyscalculia or ADHD. Promising small class sizes helps to engage every student in an active learning process as well as a 24/7 learning environment, The Grand River Academy allows students with learning disabilities to work closely with a specialized staff dedicated to helping your child to best understand course material in a manner best for them, learning how to become independent learners and unlock their academic potential. Contact an admissions representative today for more information on disability schools in Ohio and your child’s needs.

Sources1. http://ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/what-is-ld/learning-dis-ability-fast-facts2. http://www.nlts2.org/reports/2003_11/index.html3. http://ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia

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Phone: 440.275.2811Fax: 440.275.1825