Impaired cognitive development of a child

• Article
• 2021-02-28

Learning disabilities are differences in a person's brain that can affect how well they read, write, speak, count, and perform other similar tasks. Different groups may define 'learning disability' differently, often depending on the focus of the organization.

Having a learning disability, or even multiple disabilities, has nothing to do with intelligence. It just means that the person's brain works differently from that of others. In many cases, there are interventions - treatments - that can help a person with learning disabilities to read, write, speak and count as well or better than someone without these disabilities.

Diagnosis

Learning disabilities are often diagnosed as soon as a child is in school. The school can use a process called 'response to intervention' to help identify children with learning disabilities. Special tests are needed to make a diagnosis.

Response to intervention

Response to intervention usually includes the following ¹ :

• Monitor the progress of all students closely to identify possible learning difficulties
• Provide help to children who have problems at different levels or levels
• Moving children to levels of increasing support if they are not making sufficient progress

Students who are struggling in school can also receive individual evaluations. An evaluation can be ² :

• Determine if a child has a learning disability
• Determine if a child is eligible for special education under federal law
• Help develop an individualized education plan (IEP) that outlines help for a child eligible for special education
• Set benchmarks to measure the child's progress

A full evaluation for a learning disability includes the following ³ :

• A medical exam, including a neurological exam, to rule out other possible causes of the child's problems. These can be emotional disorders, intellectual and developmental disorders and brain diseases.
• Assessment of the child's developmental, social and school performance
• A discussion of family history
• Academic and Psychological Tests

Usually several specialists work as a team to conduct the evaluation. The team may include a psychologist, a special education expert and a speech therapist. Many schools also have reading specialists who can help diagnose a reading disorder.

^{Role of school psychologists}

School psychologists are trained in both education and psychology. They can help diagnose students with learning disabilities and assist the student and his or her parents and teachers in devising plans to improve learning.

Role of speech therapists

All speech therapists are trained to diagnose and treat speech and language disorders. A speech therapist can perform a language evaluation and assess whether the child can organize his or her thoughts and belongings. The speech therapist can evaluate the child's learning skills such as understanding cues, manipulating sounds, and reading and writing.

Therapy

Learning disabilities cannot be cured, but early intervention can lessen their effects. People with learning disabilities can develop ways of coping with their disabilities. Getting help earlier increases the chances of success in school and later in life. Left untreated, learning disabilities can make a child feel frustrated, which can lead to low self-esteem and other problems. ¹

Experts can help a child learn skills by building on the child's strengths and finding ways to make up for the child's weaknesses. ² Interventions vary depending on the nature and extent of the disability.

Special education

Children diagnosed with learning disabilities can receive special education. The Education Act for Persons with Disabilities (IDEA) requires that public schools provide special educational support for children with disabilities free of charge.anch_722 "href =" https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/treatment#f3 "> 3

In most states, every child is entitled to these services from the age of 3 and continuing through high school or the age of 21, whichever comes first. IDEA rules for every state   are available from the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center.

IDEA requires children to be taught in the least restrictive environment that is right for them. This means that the learning environment must meet the needs and abilities of a child, while keeping the limitations for typical learning experiences to a minimum.

Individualized education program

Children who qualify for special education receive an Individualized Education Program, or IEP. This personalized and written training plan ⁴ :

• Provides a list of goals for the child
• Specifies the services that the child will receive
• Lists the specialists who will work with the child

Special education eligible

To be eligible for special education, a child must be assessed by the school system and meet federal and state guidelines. Parents and caregivers can contact their school principal or special education coordinator for information about the evaluation of their child.

Interventions for specific learning difficulties

Below are just some of the ways schools help children with specific learning disabilities.

Dyslexia ⁵

• Intensive teaching techniques. These can be specific, step-by-step and highly methodical approaches to teaching reading with the aim of improving both spoken and written language skills. These techniques are generally more intensive in terms of how often they occur and how long they last, and often involve small group or individual instruction. ⁶
• Classroom adjustments. Teachers can give students with dyslexia extra time to complete tasks and can take tests on tape so that the child can hear the questions instead of reading them.
• Use of technology. Children with dyslexia may benefit from listening to audiobooks or using word processing programs.

Dysgraphy ⁷

• Special tools. Teachers can offer oral exams, provide a note taker, or allow the child to videotape reports instead of writing them. Computer software can make it easier for children to produce written text.
• Use of technology. A child with dysgraphia can be taught to use word processing programs, including speech-to-text translation programs, or an audio recorder instead of writing by hand.
• Reduce the need for writing. Teachers can provide notes, overviews, and preprinted study sheets.

Dyscalculia ⁷

• Visual techniques. Teachers can take pictures of word problems and show the student how to use colored pencils to distinguish parts of problems.
• Memory aids. Rhymes and music can help a child memorize math concepts.

Computers. A child with dyscalculia can use a computer for exercises and exercises.

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