| There are so many learning labels | | | | corner, snuffing out their bright lights |
| floating around these days ... A.D.D., | | | | and destroying their self-esteem at a |
| A.D.H.D., Dyslexia, etc. Basically, | | | | tender age.We have known and still know |
| these are labels pinned on children who | | | | quite a few of these different kids. I |
| are in some way learning disabled. I | | | | don't know one child who is not |
| think most of these kids are learning | | | | amazingly bright in one or more areas of |
| advanced, but I'll try to stick to the | | | | life that most of us are stymied by. |
| facts ... somewhat ... ;-)Children who | | | | They are exceptional artists, musically |
| cannot sit still or are disruptive in a | | | | genius, enormously big-hearted or mature |
| classroom environment are sometimes | | | | beyond their years. One is on Ritalin |
| suffering from Attention Deficit | | | | and thanks his mother daily for giving |
| Disorder (A.D.D.) When they are also | | | | him the chance to get straight 'A's as |
| extremely hyper, they earn the tag of | | | | he always knew he could. One is an |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder | | | | outstanding athlete who will most likely |
| (A.D.H.D.) When children are prone to | | | | make the Olympic team in the |
| twisting their letters and numbers | | | | not-too-distant future. Another is an |
| around, they are often called | | | | accomplished pianist and songwriter at |
| Dyslexic.There are definitely some | | | | 12 years of age. All of these children |
| children who need medication to control | | | | have some pretty wicked learning |
| their out-of-control emotions or | | | | disabilities and they are all just the |
| actions. There are some who have a | | | | best kids one could hope to know and |
| serious chemical imbalance, preventing | | | | love. They are awesome!Some public |
| them from blending with others in a | | | | schools have excellent resource programs |
| socially acceptable manner. And there | | | | for the learning disabled child. Most |
| are the kids who really have a hard time | | | | private schools do not have the room or |
| keeping numbers straight or learning to | | | | the inclination to support a resource |
| read in a typical classroom setting with | | | | curriculum, however, there are private |
| standard teaching methods. These | | | | schools that cater only to learning |
| children are learning disabled in that | | | | disabled children. These schools can be |
| they do need resources and other methods | | | | frightfully expensive but many are the |
| to help them learn basic lessons and | | | | only hope some children will ever have |
| needed skills such as reading, writing, | | | | for academic success. One girl we know |
| adding and subtracting.These wonderfully | | | | came home from her first day at one of |
| different kids are also usually very | | | | these high-priced schools elated and |
| bright, artistic and unusual in amazing | | | | said: "I'm finally learning something!" |
| ways. They can be willful, temperamental | | | | Wow ... her mother told me this with |
| and sad or they can be sweet, loving and | | | | tears in her eyes. This school has a |
| joyful. I believe they are what we, | | | | variety of classroom environments, each |
| their parents and caretakers, teach them | | | | supporting a different learning style. |
| they should be. I also believe they are | | | | Their philosophy is that children learn |
| a big part of our future, among the | | | | differently, be it auditory, visual (the |
| children of this world who will be our | | | | normal school methods cater to visual) |
| brightest stars. They are the kids who | | | | or tactile. The children are grouped |
| do not see everything in terms of black | | | | with other like-learning kids to create |
| and white or up and down. They see blue, | | | | auditory, visual or tactile-learning |
| purple and fuchsia where everyone else | | | | classrooms. Obviously, they are on to |
| sees the norm. They hear melodies not | | | | something.Parents with learning disabled |
| yet created. They envision buildings not | | | | children need to work with their kids, |
| yet designed. They are learning disabled | | | | helping with homework and assignments |
| only because they do not learn as the | | | | more than average. If you are the parent |
| majority of us do. They see life through | | | | of a learning disabled child, there are |
| a set of eyes and ears not limited by | | | | resources available today that were not |
| structure or regimentation. They feel | | | | around just a few years ago. Know that |
| and capture life with fingers that | | | | there is help for your child and for |
| expound the essence of velvet and toes | | | | you. Ask your child's school about |
| that glorify the silkiness of sand. They | | | | resource programs, recommended methods |
| feel sadness and joy through hearts that | | | | of working with your child at home and |
| swell with the beauty of sunsets and | | | | any other useful information they can |
| melt with compassion for the | | | | and will give you. And remember that |
| underdog.These children are the | | | | your child is probably going to grow up |
| different ones among us. They should be | | | | to become one of the more valued members |
| honored for their uniqueness. | | | | of society if they are gently guided and |
| Unfortunately, they are more likely to | | | | helped through the beginning years of |
| be labeled and boxed into a problem | | | | academic training. |