Learning Disabilities of kids can be corrected with proper care and attention –Dr.K.Govindaraju

Adolescent with LD

Learning disabilities are present in certain percentage of the world population. Interestingly, there is no clear and widely accepted definition of "learning disabilities." Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the field, there is ongoing debate on the issue of definition, and there several definitions that appear in the professional literature. These disparate definitions do agree on certain factors such as, the learning disabled have difficulties with academic achievement and progress, Discrepancies exist between a person's potential for learning and what he actually learn, The learning disabled show an uneven pattern of development (language development, physical development, academic development and/or perceptual development),Learning problems are not due to environmental disadvantage and Learning problems are not due to mental retardation or emotional disturbance. Experts estimate that 6 to 10 percent of the school-aged population is learning disabled. Little is currently known about the causes of learning disabilities. However, some general observations can be made: Some children develop and mature at a slower rate than others in the same age group. As a result, they may not be able to do the expected school work. This kind of learning disability is called "maturational lag." Some children with normal vision and hearing may misinterpret everyday sights and sounds because of some unexplained disorder of the nervous system. Injuries before birth or in early childhood probably account for some later learning problems. Children born prematurely and children who had medical problems soon after birth sometimes have learning disabilities. Learning disabilities tend to run in families, so some learning disabilities may be inherited. Learning disabilities are more common in boys than girls, possibly because boys tend to mature more slowly. Some learning disabilities appear to be linked to the irregular spelling, pronunciation, and structure of the language. Children with learning disabilities exhibit a wide range of symptoms. These include problems with reading, mathematics, comprehension, writing, spoken language, or reasoning abilities. Hyperactivity, inattention and perceptual coordination may also be associated with learning disabilities but are not learning disabilities themselves. The primary characteristic of a learning disability is a significant difference between a child's achievement in some areas and his or her overall intelligence. Among the symptoms commonly related to learning disabilities are: poor performance on group tests, difficulty discriminating size, shape, colour, difficulty with temporal (time) concepts, distorted concept of body image. poor visual-motor coordination,hyperactivity,difficulty copying accurately from a model, slowness in completing work, poor organizational skills, easily confused by instructions, poor social judgment, inappropriate, unselective, and often excessive display of affection etc.The parent should contact the child's school and arrange for testing and evaluation. Simultaneously, the parent should take the child to the family pediatrician for a complete physical examination. The child should be examined for correctable problems (e.g. poor vision or hearing loss) that may cause difficulty in school. The  parents of children with learning disabilities to take the time to listen to their children as much as you can (really try to get their "Message"),Love them by touching them, hugging them, tickling them, wrestling with them (they need lots of physical contact),Look for and encourage their strengths, interests, and abilities, Help them to use these as compensations for any limitations or disabilities, Reward them with praise, good words, smiles, and pat on the back as often as you can, Accept them for what they are and for their human potential for growth and development. Be realistic in parents’ expectations and demands, Involve them in establishing rules and regulations, schedules, and family activities, Tell them when they misbehave and explain how you feel about their behavior; then have them propose other more acceptable ways of behaving. The parents should not hesitate to consult with teachers or other specialists whenever they feel it to be necessary in order to better understand what might be done to help their children learn. -Govin