If You Suspect a Child Has a Learning Disability - Page 2

Formal Educational Evaluation for LD

After a pre-referral or RTI approach has been used, you and/or your child’s school may decide that more information is needed to understand how best to meet your child's needs. If so, a comprehensive educational evaluation can be conducted. A formal educational evaluation usually includes:

• Parent and child interviews
• Direct classroom observation
• A review of your child's educational and medical history
• A series of tests that help identify your child's strengths and weaknesses
• Information gathering with teachers and other professionals who work with your child

Public schools administer this type of evaluation at no charge to its students and to children who live in the district, whether or not they attend a public school. Either you or your child’s school can request such an evaluation, but it can only be conducted with a parent's written consent.

If your child attends a private school, you may need to hire and pay for a private evaluator, but talk to your school administrator to learn what options are available through the school. Special education services (as defined by federal law) are neither required nor funded at private schools.

Know Your Legal Rights

Whether your child attends a public or private school, he or she is entitled to certain protections under education law. You also have the right to request at any time that your child be evaluated for learning disabilities. Learn about your child’s legal rights by obtaining a copy of your state's guidelines for special education services. You can get these guidelines from your school district office or your state department of education. Tip: Use our Resource Locator to find your state department of education.

If the results of the evaluation indicate that your child has LD, she or he may be eligible for special educational services. Note: If your child has LD but doesn’t qualify for special education, he or she may qualify for protection under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.

Help and Hope for Children Who Don’t Qualify for Special Education

If your child doesn’t qualify for special education services, it’s still important for you to work with the school and his teacher to ensure that the evaluation findings are used to enhance classroom instruction in ways that help your child work around his learning problems and capitalize on his abilities. Even without an IEP, it may be possible to make changes that will help your child, especially given recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that broaden the definition of who an individual with a disability is under federal law. If your child is not eligible for services under IDEA, your child may now qualify for a 504 Plan. Discuss this with the school and work together to implement changes in the classroom and at home.

Reassure and Encourage Your Child

Reassure your child that having a LD doesn’t mean that he’s stupid or lazy. Be honest and optimistic with your child, and encourage him to speak up about what helps him learn. Teaching your child to be an effective self-advocate and to be able to articulate what he needs to succeed is one of the most helpful things you can do. Explain that, though learning may be a struggle, your child can still succeed.

Emphasize Your Child's Strengths

Like all children, a child with LD has individual strengths as well as challenges. Some children with LD struggle with reading or math but are outstanding athletes, or excel in creative areas like music, painting, or sculpture. Participation in after-school activities and clubs are good ways for children to develop their interests and talents, build self-esteem, develop social skills, and enjoy a break from formal academics.

In the classroom, the teacher may be able to help your child use his special abilities to compensate for his learning difficulties. For example, a child who learns well by listening (auditory ability) but who struggles with reading might benefit from listening to recorded books.

Support Your Child at Home

On the home front, you can help your child succeed if you establishing a regular time and place for doing on homework and other school assignments. Be sure to offer praise for work well done. Help him or her develop a homework routine that works, and encourage him to practice good study habits at home.