My child is struggling 
Now that my child has 
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Here are some signs that a child or teen could benefit from psychological help, whether or not he or she has a learning disability:
- Extreme anger, acting out, or mood swings
- Increased sadness, tearfulness, or crying
- Increased sensitivity, irritability, or hostility
- Being bullied or bullying others
- Withdrawal or isolation
- Persistent low energy or decreased interest in activities once enjoyed
- An increase in physical complaints such as headaches or stomachaches when everything checks out with the doctor
- Sudden changes in appetite or eating habits (especially in teens)
- Trouble sleeping or increased sleepiness
- Excessive school tardiness or absenteeism
- Signs of alcohol, drug, or substance abuse
- Self-destructive behavior
- Thoughts or expressions of suicide
Finding the Source of the Problem
No doubt, you're concerned if your child has displayed signs such as these. "When changes in behavior are marked and your child is starting to 'fail' at things – even at daily living – then it may be time to seek mental health services," says Beetar. This professional may also refer your child for testing to rule out learning problems as the cause of emotional distress."It is important to try and figure out what that overarching problem is," says Beetar, "because you will not get to the root of the difficulties if you only treat what is secondary. It's like a Band-Aid approach." There may be one overarching problem or many distinct difficulties that impact one another. For example, depression might interfere with learning. So resolving the emotional disturbance might make a big difference. On the other hand, when frustrated by learning problems, a child might become depressed.
This can all be challenging to figure out on your own. "But an astute clinician who takes a good history, makes behavioral observations, and can work with a great deal of both qualitative and quantitative data is often able to figure out which issue or issues are primary and which are secondary," says Beetar.
Timelines and context can help sort out what is a preexisting behavioral problem or one made worse by LD, says Auciello. "The first step is always a good evaluation, which will guide the direction you take." This might be conducted by a neuropsychologist or education specialist, or other specialist who is equipped to assess both the learning and psychological aspects.
Although not always necessary, in some cases a neuropsychological assessment may be helpful. In addition to an emotional-behavioral assessment, says Beetar, this may include an evaluation of the child's:
- History
- Intellect
- Attention
- Memory
- Language skills
- Visual spatial skills
- Executive functioning
- Sensory motor functioning
A somewhat lengthy process, this comprehensive evaluation varies in cost but is sometimes covered by insurance. "Along with background information and behavioral observations, the results of this testing often provide a good picture of the child's cognitive strengths and weaknesses and how psychosocial or medical and developmental risk factors and family functioning may all contribute."
Where to Begin
Where should you begin to get help? First, it's a good idea to see your child's doctor. Sometimes emotional problems stem from physical problems. Then, you might start by seeking resources at your child's school.Start with the school. If you haven't already, Martinez recommends discussing your concerns with school personnel. "When you have a good relationship with the school, you can move mountains," she says. If your child is at the elementary level, she suggests starting with the classroom teacher. If your child is at the secondary level, the place to start might be with the school counselor, social worker, or school psychologist.
Although each school might "look slightly different," most will have some kind of group counseling program, social skills program, or wraparound services available on an as-needed basis, particularly for children in special education, says Martinez. Start by finding out what's available. Exhaust these resources first. "You don't always have to go the $150/hour level to get good services," says Martinez.
Advocate for your child. What if you're not sure how to proceed with the school? "If you live near a university town that has a school psychology program or counseling program," says Martinez, "contact one of the faculty members and seek his or her advice on how to advocate for your child within the school system. If needed, go to the superintendent and ask what is rightly yours under special education law."
