Jennifer Rothman NYC Psychological Treatments for People with Learning Disabilities

1. Jennifer Rothman NYC Jennifer Rothman NYC Psychological Treatments for People with Learning Disabilities

2. Various Type of Learning Disabilities • Learning disabilities are disorders that affect one's ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention. Although learning disabilities occur in very young children, disorders are usually not recognized until a child reaches school age. Research shows that 8 to 10 percent of American children under the age of 18 have some type of learning disability. • Not all learning problems fall into the category of learning disabilities. Many children are simply slower in developing certain skills. Because children show natural differences in their rate of development, sometimes what seems to be a learning disability may simply be a delay in maturation.

3. Dyslexia  • Dyslexia is a reading and language-based learning disability. With this problem, a child may not understand letters, groups of letters, sentences, or paragraphs. For example, at the beginning of first grade, children may occasionally reverse and rotate the letters they read and write. This may be normal when they are first learning to read. By the middle of first grade (and with maturity) these problems should disappear. However, a young student with dyslexia may not overcome these problems. The difficulty can continue as the student grows. To him, a b may look like a d. She may write on when she really means no. Your child may reverse a 6 to make 9. Additionally, a child with dyslexia can sometimes see sentences, words, or letters hovering, moving (sometimes called "dancing"), or disappearing off of the page. These are not vision problems, rather they are problems with how the brain interprets the information it "sees."

4. Dysgraphia • Dysgraphia is a term for problems with writing. An older child may not form letters correctly and have difficulty writing within a certain space. Writing neatly takes time and effort; yet despite the extra effort, the handwriting still may be hard to read. A teacher may say that a learning-disabled student can't finish written tests and assignments on time, and supervisors may find that written tasks are always late or incomplete.

5. Dyscalculia • Dyscalculia is a term for problems concerning math. A child may do well in history and language, but fail tests involving fractions and percentages. Math is difficult for many students, but those with dyscalculia may have much more difficulty than others their age. Dyscalculia may prevent your child from solving basic math problems that others the same age complete with no difficulty.

6. Theory About learning Disabilities • While learning disabilities were thought to be caused by a single neurological problem, researchers now say that the causes are more diverse and complex. New evidence seems to show that most learning disabilities do not start in a single, specific area of the brain, but from difficulties in bringing together information from various brain regions. • A leading theory is that learning disabilities stem from subtle disturbances in brain structure and function that may begin before birth. Other possibilities include: • Genetic predisposition • Tobacco, alcohol, or substance abuse by the mother prior to, during, and after pregnancy • Problems during pregnancy or delivery, such as low birth weight, prematurity, and birth trauma or distress • Environmental toxins, such as lead poisoning • Central nervous system Infections • Severe head trauma

7.  It is never too early or too late to reinforce the skills needed for proper writing. • Though teachers and employers are required by law to make "reasonable accommodations" for individuals with learning disabilities, they may not be aware of how to help. Speak to them about dysgraphia, and explain the challenges you face as a result of your learning disability. • Although obtaining a diagnosis is important, even more so is creating a plan for getting the right help. Because learning disabilities can affect the child and family in so many ways, help may be needed on a variety of fronts.

8. RTI- Response to Intervention • Response to Intervention involves early identification of students who are at risk for learning problems. Careful monitoring is conducted on all students and especially when a student is struggling. Research based interventions are conducted and closely monitored with the student. When a student continues to struggle despite a variety of interventions, he or she may have a Learning Disability.