I suspect that my 9-year old daughter may have some type of learning disability; she struggles in nearly every subject, but especially reading and math. I don't really know anything about learning disabilities; my suspicion is based in the gap between the extent to which she struggles with basic learning in school and the intelligence she displays on a daily basis (she's quite perceptive and resourceful and gets abstract concepts you wouldn't expect her to understand at her age). Her speech development was quite delayed (she didn't really start speaking until 2.5 yrs old and it took her quite a long time to learn to make sounds properly although her speech if fine now). She is getting help in school (reading specialists, extra math help, etc), but I suspect that our school system is unmotivated to diagnose learning disabilities due to the expense of coping with them. What is my best course of action here?
Answer QuestionAsked by Anonymous at 3:55 PM on Jan. 12, 2009 in Tweens (9-12)
Answer by luckysevenwow at 5:11 PM on Jan. 12, 2009
Answer by krisytina03 at 9:15 PM on Jan. 12, 2009
Answer by ConnorsMommy521 at 12:13 AM on Jan. 13, 2009
I was in your shoes about five years ago .First thing I did was demand a child study team meeting which consists of a meeting with your child's teacher, principal, guidance counselor, and psychologist. Put all your concerns on the table, use everything you have as ammunition to back up your instincts. Your goal is to shine light on your daughter serious need for intervention . She needs to be evaluated by the psychologist asap. Only then will most districts recommend intervention.  Should her test results show a need for help then a plan will be coordinated between you ,your child's teacher, and whatever educational support services your school district offers.enough if you truly feel that your daughter has an issue she . Channel your concerns to be an advocate for your child. One last piece of advice, don't ask for things demand them but do it with a smile on your face!! >
Answer by ericarae4 at 10:48 AM on Jan. 13, 2009
My daughter has a learning disability. The school refused to test her. There is no harm in testing. It came back that she needed help mostly in math. And in schools now a days there is no smaller classes there is just an extra teacher in the classes to pull certain ones aside and assist with the struggles they are having. Teachers are so different now. Everyone is so quick to throw a kid on meds and think that will fix the problem. My daughter seizured for 10 hrs when she was 2 wks old and the hospital kept telling me i was being paranoid. And her peds now believe that caused the slight disability she has. but regardless u have to demand the issue with the school. If they won't her ped should be able to prescribe a doc that can request the testing then they would take it to the school. But good look
Answer by momneedshelp3 at 11:20 AM on Jan. 13, 2009
Answer by angelwings63050 at 1:44 PM on Jan. 13, 2009
Answer by tiggerrrt at 2:06 PM on Jan. 13, 2009
Answer by tsd at 4:21 PM on Jan. 13, 2009
Answer by tsd at 4:22 PM on Jan. 13, 2009
Answer by tsd at 4:22 PM on Jan. 13, 2009
Next question in Tweens (9-12)
How do I address this without making him feel worse?
Check out some of the top posts today in Groups: