Treatment For Learning Disabilities
Updated: Dec 8, 2021
Learning disabilities are brain differences that affect a person's ability to read, write, communicate, do the math, and perform other similar skills. Depending on the organization's objective, different groups may define "learning disability" differently.
Having a learning handicap, or even a number of them, has nothing to do with intellect. It simply indicates that the person's brain functions differently than that of others. There are various interventions—treatments—that can help a person with learning difficulties read, write, talk, and calculate as well as or better than someone who does not have these disabilities.
Children with learning disabilities may require extra assistance and education tailored to their specific needs. A child with a learning disability may be eligible for special education services at school. To determine if a kid needs assistance, schools typically do their own testing for learning impairments. If there are any other concerns about the child's behavior or emotions, a healthcare expert should be consulted. Parents, healthcare providers, and schools may collaborate to identify the best referrals and treatment for their children.
TREATMENTS
Special education services
Special education services are available for children who have been diagnosed with learning difficulties. Public schools are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide free special education services to children with disabilities.
In most states, every kid is entitled to these services starting at the age of three and continuing until they graduate from high school or reach the age of 21, whichever comes first.
Children must be taught in the least restrictive atmosphere possible, according to the IDEA. This indicates that the learning environment should cater to a child's needs and abilities while limiting the child's access to traditional learning opportunities.
If you're looking for special education or remedial education services, check out our website. Click here to learn more.
Individualized Education Program
Children with delayed skills or other disabilities may be eligible for special services that offer families free specialized education programs in public schools. Parents who know how to get this assistance can be more effective advocates for their children. Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, are given to children who qualify for special education assistance. This tailored and documented education plan entails the following:
List the child's objectives.
Describe the services that will be provided to the youngster.
In the majority of circumstances, the services and goals indicated in an IEP can be met in a traditional school setting. This can be done in the main classroom (for example, a reading instructor assisting a small group of students who require extra support while the rest of the class works on reading with the regular teacher) or in a specific resource room within the regular school. The resource room can accommodate a group of children with comparable needs who have been gathered for assistance.
Children that require intensive assistance, on the other hand, maybe taught in a special school setting. Because there are fewer students per teacher in these classes, more individualized attention is possible.
Furthermore, the teacher is frequently trained in assisting students with particular educational needs. The youngsters spend the majority of their time in a special classroom and only attend regular classes for non-academic activities (such as music and gym) or academic subjects in which they do not require additional assistance.
Therapy
Therapy is beneficial to certain youngsters. Occupational therapy may help a youngster with writing difficulties improve his or her motor skills. Language skills can be addressed with the help of a speech-language therapist. They can measure and improve performance in a variety of language-based skill areas (e.g., reading, writing, oral language, information processing, memory, attention, and so on). They can work with the student one-on-one, but they will also communicate with the school/teacher to provide advice on how they may best assist the student in the classroom.
Occupational therapy can help youngsters with motor skills issues, while educational therapists work with school-aged students to enhance their reading, writing, and math skills. Speech therapists work with children who have language or reading comprehension problems and can help them understand and communicate better in social contexts. Solution-focused counseling may be useful for older children and teens who are aware of their problems, as a solution-focused therapist can assist youth in addressing the problem and determining what is working for them and what could be improved. Children and adults may benefit from therapy or support groups, and play therapy can assist young children to develop social skills, which may be lacking in the context of a learning disability.
Counseling can also be beneficial for those who are timid, anxious, or otherwise find it difficult to communicate themselves to others due to a learning disability. Because emotional suffering might arise as a result of these fears, talking them out in therapy may be useful.
We have also created a detailed information guide on learning disabilities that you can check out on our website as Learning Disability Information Guide.
Interventions for specific learning disorders:
A few examples of how schools can assist students with various learning difficulties are included below.
Dyslexia
Intensive teaching techniques- These can include particular, step-by-step, and methodical approaches to reading instruction with the purpose of increasing both spoken and written language skills. These strategies are more intensive in terms of frequency and duration, and they frequently entail small group or one-on-one coaching.
Classroom modifications- Teachers might give dyslexic pupils extra time to complete assignments and use taped assessments so they can hear the questions rather than read them.
Use of technology- Listening to audiobooks or using word-processing applications can help children with dyslexia.
Dysgraphia
Special tools- Teachers can use special tools such as oral exams, a note-taker, or allowing students to videotape reports rather than writing them. Children's ability to produce written text may be aided by computer software.
Use of technology- Instead of writing by hand, a dysgraphic youngster can be taught to use word-processing tools, such as those that include speech-to-text translation, or an audio recorder.
Reducing the need for writing- Teachers can supply preprinted study sheets, outlines, and notes to reduce the necessity for writing.
Dyscalculia
Visual techniques- Teachers can utilize visual strategies to teach students how to differentiate elements of problems by drawing drawings of them.
Memory aids- Rhymes and music can be used as memory aids to assist a kid to retain math ideas.
Computers- Computers can be used for exercises and practice by a child with dyscalculia.
Treatment for your child will very certainly change over time. You can request additional services or adjustments to an IEP or accommodations if your child isn't making progress. Meanwhile, explain to your child why additional services are needed and how they can help in simple words. Also, pay attention to your child's positive attributes. Encourage your youngster to engage in activities that will boost his or her self-esteem.
These therapies, when used together, can help your kid improve his or her abilities, develop coping mechanisms, and leverage his or her talents to boost learning at school and at home.
Daffodil Health is creating an ecosystem to help families and parents of kids with special needs. In the same endeavor, we have launched parent training events and a marketplace for learning aids, toys, and much more.
Follow the link to know about all the Upcoming Parent Training Events.
Follow this link to look at all the products that can be helpful for your child.
Hope you find all the resources useful. If you want to contribute to Daffodil Health's mission or become a part of the team, please reach out to team@daffodilhealth.com. We would love to get you onboard and work together towards unlocking the 10% workforce potential.