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FREE NEWSLETTER PAGE Learning
Disorders and Beyond: A Parents Quick Guide Q: My son is in the fifth grade and has always trouble in reading and math. Recently, my pediatrician said he might have a "learning disability." What is that? How do I have my son treated? Can learning disabilities be treated? A: Learning disorders actually come in several varieties. The most common is dyslexia, which is a problem in reading, especially affecting words with more complex sound structures, or sentences that are more grammatically advanced. This type of learning disorder is often tied to an under development of part of the language region of the brain's left hemisphere. In so-called right hemisphere learning disorder, reading and spelling may be relatively intact, but handwriting is particularly slow and sloppy, and math and art are especially poor subjects. In learning disorders, overall intelligence may be normal, in fact, there is often a baffling contrast between abysmally poor functioning is some areas and exceptionally good performance in others. In attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the child's difficulty in paying attention and staying on track in academic work leads to incomplete assignments and poor grades. ADHD can also affect a child's social relationships and may persists into adulthood, causing problems in the work place and in family roles. Learning disorders and ADHD are more common in boys than girls and may be associated with oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. The impulsivity and stubbornness associated with these conditions further compounds the problems in the classroom, on the playground, and at home. Other disorders that can disrupt scholastic functioning include head injury, childhood epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, anxiety, depression, and family problems. A through neuropsychological evaluation can clarify the nature and extent of any existing learning disorder and suggest the appropriate treatment strategies. Treatment typically involves some form of cognitive and educational remediation, which can be defined as learning to maximize strengths and compensate for weaknesses. This is combined with developing better strategies for classroom and homework assignments, along with medication and psychotherapy for behavioral disorders when necessary. Laurence Miller, PhD is a Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist in private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. He can be reached at (561)-392-8881. | |
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