Learning Disabilities

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