How are learning disabilities treated?

A child with a learning disability needs to practice academic skills and learn helpful strategies with the aid of a trained specialist, just as an athlete should practice under a coach’s guidance.

Several recent reviews of behavioral vision therapy literature have confirmed that to date, no scientific evidence has shown that visual training, or muscle, perceptual and hand-eye coordination exercises can improve a child’s learning disability.

If you or your child’s teachers suspect a learning disability, you should contact the child’s school, and if necessary, the local or state director of special education. Public law requires schools to evaluate any child who is thought to have a learning disability.

The evaluation is handled by educators and typically involves educational, psychological or neuropsychological testing. Other evaluations may be conducted by a learning disabilities specialist, a speech/language pathologist, an audiologist or a school nurse.

A thorough medical eye examination can discover a visual defect that may afect reading.

It is important that parents and teachers participate in this process and are involved when decisions about the child’s educational needs are being made.

Remedial training should be done by a qualified education teacher, reading specialist and in special education classes when appropriate.

A child with learning disabilities needs understanding and emotional support, as well as opportunities to experience success in other activities. Allowing a child to release tensions and frustrations through sports or artistic activities can be helpful.