Parents often wonder about the possibility of learning disabilities and the best time to pursue intervention for their child’s struggles. Earlier research and literature suggested a more “wait-and-see” approach that favored holding out until the student reached the third grade to determine whether or not the issues had resolved. However, by that time, the child may be experiencing anxiety, self-doubt, and failure. Consequently, newer models support more proactive strategies that take into account the student’s pattern of development and early skill acquisition. Because learning disabilities can impact many areas of life, the child’s frustration and failure can be minimized by early evaluation and intervention. By examining the pattern and persistence of a child’s struggles, a parent can better determine whether a problem might warrant a closer look. Over the next few weeks, I will be providing more information about learning diability warning signs across 5 areas of development: language, motor skills, memory, attention, and social behaviors.
Martha Knight, Educational Specialist at Child and Family Development in Charlotte, NC
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