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fact, their child may be getting good grades. But the parents' gut
feeling is that their child is working too hard, that there may
be some kind of learning problem.
But how do you
know if you're overreacting or really need to get help?
Children with
severe learning disabilities are routinely targeted in our schools
for resource and special education services. There are, however,
many students with less noticeable difficulties that seem to "fall
through the cracks." The results of their work aren't so far
out of range as to raise a red flag in the classroom.
Often these
students are able to maintain decent grades through hard work and
determination, but they have to put in much greater effort and time
than those without learning disabilities.
Although it
may be difficult for the classroom teacher of 30 students to recognize
a child's mild learning problems, an involved parent can. Some children
need extra help, but they don't qualify for special programs.
Parents of these
children say that being in the classroom was the real key to realizing
the extent of their child's struggle and led them to seek diagnostic
testing. They were aware that their child spent extra time on homework
and that reading and spelling skills were deficient, but they didn't
know what skill level was grade appropriate. Seeing their child
in the context of the classroom prompted them to get the necessary
help for their child.
One parent noted
that if you can spare an hour a month to have lunch with a friend
or go shopping, then you can spare an hour in your child's classroom.
The time spent would not only be fun, but could be invaluable.
Many students
with mild learning disabilities have the perseverance and drive
to put in the extra time and effort necessary to make it through
school and maintain good grades in the process. They can do it,
but how much more enjoyable could their educational experience be
if their needs were met early on?
This
article was submitted by Robin Browning. Robin provides educational
therapy and Fast ForWord in Truckee, CA.
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