Jane M. Healy, Ph.D. , author of Different Learners: Identifying, Preventing, and Treating Your Child’s
Learning Problems says that “A child born today in the US has a 30 percent
chance of being diagnosed with some type of learning problem. “ Clearly, that’s
a high number.
I often wonder why there seems to be such an increase in the
number of children with learning problems. Could it be a result of food
additives, excessive media bombardment, over-scheduling or other environmental
exposures? We don’t know but we do know that the list of childhood disorders
continues to grow. Children must deal with ADD, ADHD, anxiety disorders, autism,
Asperger’s syndrome, executive function issues and more. Many children have
multiple issues. For many children, the
issues create tremendous challenges, frustrations and feelings of inadequacy. Many
of these children are bright and gifted but because their brains are wired differently,
learning in certain ways is difficult.
Thanks to advances in brain science, we are learning more
and more about instructional strategies, routines and techniques that can help
our children actually rewire and grow the needed dendrite-neuron connections in
their brains. Further, we are learning
more and more about how to teach students regardless of their learning differences.
Of course, parents should intentionally manage environmental
influences such as diet, sleep, exercise, sensory stimuli and opportunities for
play. Students with suspected learning challenges need more. Bottom line, you are your child’s advocate. Tactically,
begin with your pediatrician. Often, concerns are unfounded but if you discover
your child does have a learning difference then the sooner you can start
helping, the better. Research and create an action plan with trusted
professionals.
More important is that the learning challenged student
understands that he is a person of worth and value. Being among one in three students with a
learning difference can hardly be regarded “abnormal.” In his book, David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell statistically supports that
things popularly regarded as disadvantages are often, in fact, advantages and
vice versa. (An extraordinarily high
number of the most successful innovators and entrepreneurs in recent decades
are dyslexic for example.) People who
must work diligently to overcome learning obstacles and barriers quite often
benefit from the struggle in significant, impactful ways.
Everyone has obstacles and barriers. What may initially seem as an insurmountable
hurdle can turn out to be an advantage that results in empathy, sensitivity and
compassion that can make the world a better place.
Thus, she says, “Dyslexia is a gift, not an illness.” Again…wow.
This article appeared in Southern Distinction magazine. Volume 2:3 2014
