What is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simpler terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired". Children with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information and doing mathematics if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways.

The reality is that a learning disability cannot be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong challenge. But one can take heart in knowing that with appropriate support and intervention, children with learning disabilities can achieve in school and go on to successful, often distinguished, careers.

How Do I Know if My Child has a Learning Disability?
As a parent or guardian, you are your child's best advocate. You can help your child by capitalizing on strengths, defining areas of weakness, understanding the educational alternatives, working with teachers and other professionals, and helping your child learn strategies for working towards success with his or her difficulties. If you suspect that your child has difficulty learning, the sooner you act on your suspicions the easier it will be for your child. It is natural for children to have one or more of the following characteristics at times. But if your child consistently exhibits several of these signs, you should speak to his or her teachers, talk with other learning experts, and then consider a formal evaluation to answer questions you may have about the way your child learns.

   Preschool

• Delay in speech development; difficulty articulating or pronouncing words.
• Slow vocabulary development; using the wrong word.
• Difficulty rhyming words.
• Delay in learning numbers, alphabet, weekdays, colors, shapes.
• Difficulty following directions, learning routines.
• Awkward when running, jumping, skipping.
• Difficulty controlling pencil, crayons, scissors.
• Difficulty buttoning, zipping, tying.
• Increased activity level, inattention and/or impulsive behavior.
• Trouble interacting socially with peers.

   Grades K – 4

• Difficulty connecting letters and sounds to decode words; difficulty reading familiar, well-practiced words; difficulty understanding or remembering what is read.
• Difficulty writing down thoughts, including problems with spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization and organization of thoughts.
• Poor spelling.
• Reversing or transposing letters or numbers.
• Difficulty with fine motor coordination, resulting in poor handwriting.
• Unstable pencil grip.
• Difficulty understanding what is said or expressing thoughts.
• Remembering facts slowly.
• Relying heavily on memorization; slow to learn new skills.
• Difficulty learning basic math concepts or applying concepts to doing calculations and solving problems.
• Poor coordination; easily confused by changes in surroundings; prone to accidents.
• Trouble learning about time.

   Grades 5 – 8

• Continued difficulty with grade-level reading comprehension, written language or math skills.
• Avoids reading, writing, math or other specific skills.
• Difficulty organizing space (bedroom, locker, etc.) material (loses or misplaces paper,     assignments, etc.) or thoughts when writing or speaking.
• Difficulty planning time and developing strategies to complete assignments on time.
• Difficulty understanding discussions or expressing thoughts when speaking.
• Difficulty making friends.

   Grades 9 – Adult

• Continued spelling errors; frequently spells the same word differently in a single document.
• Avoids reading, writing, math or other specific skills.
• Trouble with open-ended questions on tests.
• Weak memory skills.
• Difficulty adjusting to new settings.
• Works slowly.
• Poor grasp of abstract concepts.
• Pays too little or too much attention to details.
• Misreads information.

What Do I Do if I Suspect a Problem?
It is very important that you seek help as soon as you realize your child is having difficulty learning. Seeking help — and certainly recognizing the early signs of a learning disability — can mean the difference between success and failure for your child in school. Most learning disabilities affect reading and language skills. In fact, a significant majority of students with a learning disability have problems with reading. If these children receive appropriate help in the early grades, most of them will become skilled, independent readers. When help is delayed, it becomes harder and harder for children to catch up. Perhaps the most important reason to seek help early is to spare children the frustration and failure they experience when they don't do well in school and don't know why. You must help your child understand that he or she simply learns differently.

• Trust your intuition! No one knows your child better than you, so if you suspect a real problem, speak to teachers or other education professionals, seek information and expert opinions, and don't be afraid to have him or her evaluated right away.
  
• Realize that you are not alone and that experienced people and groups have information and help for you right now.
  
• Learn as much as you can. The more you know about learning disabilities, the more you can help your child. Start with your school. Then contact one of the organizations listed below or contact Horizons Academy for further assistance.

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Horizons Academy of Maui, Inc. hacademy@maui.net

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) www.dyslexia-hawaii.org

Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) www.LDAAmerica.org

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) www.LD.org

Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD) www.cldinternational.org

Division of Learning Disabilities (DLD) www.dldcec.org

Denver Academy www.denveracademy.org

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