3.6 Specific Learning Disorders

Depending on the setting in which you will be working, you may be part of the treatment team working with children who have a specific Learning Disorder. What causes a learning disorder/disability? To be honest, we don’t know. With that being said,  researchers with the National Institute of Health, (The Eunice Kennedy Shriver, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) report “risk factors may be present at birth and run in families. If a parent has some type of learning disability, the child is more likely to develop one themselves.” Link to National Institute of Health.

Please read pages 66-74

When working with children who have been diagnosed with some type of learning disability, it’s our responsibility to know about and understand IDEA (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This act of 1997 ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. This Act was updated in 2004, requiring school districts to create Individualized educational plans (IEP) for all students with a disability, along with 504 Service Agreements

Activity

Go the Pennsylvania Department of Education and read about IEPs and 504s.

Treatment Interventions:

Some kids diagnosed with a learning disability may need mental health counseling. Kids often struggle with low self esteem, feelings of worthlessness, or not fully developed pro-social skills.  We must keep in mind when working with kids who may need “special services or education,” that they learn differently from you and me.