Facts About Learning Disabilities

When your child is diagnosed with a learning disability it can be scary. Here are some facts about the causes and diagnosis of learning disabilities.

• Although learning disabilities can be caused by variations in a child's central nervous system, most learning disabilities are not a result of brain damage or mentally retardation. 
• Children are often born with the tendency for learning problems and learning disabilities seem to run in families. 
• Since most children play and act like other children it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a learning disability. 
• The diagnosis of learning disabilities has improved substantially along with advances in healthcare. In the past, learning disabilities were often misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly. 
• There is a wide range of learning disabilities (mild to severe).It can be very difficult for parents to recognize a mild learning disability in their children. Most mild learning disabilities are diagnosed in  kindergarten and first grade as children have difficulty keeping up with the class.

 Learning disabilities generally affect the following three skill areas:

•  academic skills (reading, writing, spelling, math)
•  language skills (speech) 
•  motor-sensory skills (coordination, balance, writing) 

 The good news is that treatments for learning disabilities have advanced in the last ten years. Public schools have also put a lot of emphasis on the early detection, diagnoses and treatment of learning disabilities. More resources than ever are available to help children with learning disabilities. If you think your child has a learning disability consult with your family doctor.