Middletown Township Learning Disabilities
Empowered Learning Transformation Centers
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ELTC role is to help people understand themselves more deeply, exploring their lives in a way that can only happen in the safety of therapy.
LEARNING DISABILITY TESTING & DIAGNOSIS
Learning-disabled children usually know that school is hard for them. Typically, they believe they struggle academically because they are either “stupid” or “not trying”. It’s heartbreaking to talk to a child with a learning disability who has already acquired this label.
Children benefit from testing because it “de-mystifies” them. They learn the real reasons for their struggle. Testing leads to strategies to “work around” a learning disability, and shows how a child has already “compensated” for their learning disability” (often by becoming unusually capable in other subject areas).
Learning disabilities, or learning disorders, are really umbrella terms for a wide variety of learning problems. Learning disabilities are neurological and can manifest in numerous ways.
Specifically, someone who has a learning disability finds it challenging to acquire knowledge and skills that are on par with their age group.
It is important to note that those with learning disabilities are no less “smart” than their peers, they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information when they are left to themselves to figure things out or when they are taught using standard methods.
They simply see and process things differently than those without learning disabilities.
As mentioned above, learning disabilities are neurological. Although they cannot be cured or fixed, with the right diagnosis and testing, those with learning disabilities can find help. In addition, there is some evidence to suggest that the brain can change and, with the right learning conditions and support, the brain can reorganize itself by forming new neural connections which can help with skills like reading and writing which the old connections made difficult. With support and intervention, children and adults with learning disabilities can succeed in school and live successful lives.
COMMON TYPES OF LEARNING DISABILITIES
Dyslexia – Difficulty reading
Problems reading, writing, spelling, speaking
Dyscalculia – Difficulty with math
Problems doing math problems, understanding time, using money
Dysgraphia – Difficulty with writing
Problems with handwriting, spelling, organizing ideas
Dyspraxia (Sensory Integration Disorder) – Difficulty with fine motor skills
Problems with hand-eye coordination, balance, manual dexterity
Dysphasia/Aphasia – Difficulty with language
Problems understanding spoken language, poor reading comprehension
Auditory Processing Disorder – Difficulty hearing differences between sounds
Problems with reading, comprehension, language
Visual Processing Disorder – Difficulty interpreting visual information
Problems with reading, math, maps, charts, symbols, pictures
Learning disabilities can manifest themselves differently child to child. Some may struggle with reading and spelling while others may read voraciously but have difficulty with math. Some may have difficulty processing and understand what people say to them as well as have difficulty communicating out loud. In addition, children may act out in numerous ways because they are struggling.
Because of the wide variations in learning disabilities, the symptoms and additional behavioral issues, it can be challenging to know specifically what to look for when you are trying to determine if your child has a learning disability or disorder. There are some warning signs that can be more common than others at different stages and ages.
The good news is that once you have your child tested for learning disabilities, there is help and with the right support and training, your child can learn how to improve their learning skills.
Contact us today!