DISPELLING MYTHS about

LEARNING DISABILITIES
SURVEY SHOWS MANY PARENTS ARE MISINFORMED ABOUT
THE CAUSES AND DEFINITION OF LEARNING DISABILITIES
BY JODIE NEEDLE
ost parents have heard about children may have a learning disability learning disabilities have low IQs.

M dyslexia, the learning disability

largely associated with reading,
speaking and spelling. But not
as many know about dysgraphia, which
involves trouble with putting thoughts on
and to guide those whose children have
already been identified with one.
The online survey of about 2,000
Americans showed that about two-thirds
had heard of dysgraphia and dyscalculia,
"By definition, individuals with learn-
ing disabilities are average or above-aver-
age intelligence," Horowitz said. "So we
have a lot of work to do to reframe what
learning disabilities are just in terms of
paper and handwriting, or dyscalculia, whereas 91 percent of respondents were cognitive potential."
which involves difficulty understanding familiar with dyslexia. Learning disabilities are an umbrella
math. The survey also revealed many myths term for a group of lifelong disorders
Such examples are among the find- parents have about learning disabilities, that affect how a person learns. They
ings of a recent survey of parents by said Dr. Sheldon Horowitz, Ed.D., the can impact a person in reading, writing,
the National Center for Learning Dis- center's director of learning disability speaking, spelling, reasoning and math-
abilities. The center is a nonprofit group resources and essential information. ematics.
that recently revamped its website with For example, 43 percent of those sur- Among other key survey findings:
resources for parents who suspect their veyed incorrectly believe that people with people incorrectly believe what can cause

40 SOUTH FLORIDA PARENTING. www.southfloridaparenting.com

learning disabilities. Consider the fol-
lowing: Almost a quarter of respondents
(22 percent) said learning disabilities are
caused by too much time spent watching
television; 31 percent said a cause is poor
diet; and 24 percent said childhood vac-
cinations cause them.
"Too much time watching TV? Clearly
this is a misunderstanding of what could
be a cause... likewise with diet and vac-
cinations ... they really have nothing to do
with learning disabilities," Horowitz said.
About eight in 10 survey respondents
(76 percent) correctly stated that heredity
can play a factor as children with learn-
ing disabilities are likely to have parents
or other relatives with similar learning
difficulties. Also, children whose moms
experienced problems during pregnancy
or birth could be contributing factors.
But often, there can be no apparent
cause for learning disabilities, according
to the National Center for Learning Dis-
abilities.
However, the cause should not be the
focus but rather helping students, said
Joaquin Eljaua, director of support servic-
es for Broward County Public Schools.
"This is what we have before us, so let's
provide specialized instruction for these
kids who have been identified with hav-
ing a learning disability," he said.
Early intervention is key, he said, not-
ing Broward County offers free diagnostic
screenings. For more information, parents
can call 754-321-2204.
So if a parent suspects a child has
a learning disability, he or she should
document how a child learns, note any
problems the child is having and compare
notes with the teacher, Horowitz said.
Though much more complex, a learning
disability in layman's terms is "unexpect-
ed underachievement," Eljaua said.
Survey respondents were correct in that
most (62 percent) said diagnosing a learn-
ing disability can involve a team approach
between the child's pediatrician, parent/
caregiver, teacher, a school administrator
and a licensed psychologist.
In making the determination, factors
include deciphering whether the child
is meeting age or grade-level standards,
progressing with interventions and deter-

JANUARY 2013 • SOUTH FLORIDA PARENTING 41

mining if there are limiting factors such does not need to necessarily result in aca- He suggests placing a written request to
as visual or hearing impairments, Eljaua demic failure. Individuals with disabilities the school that the child be tested.
said. can still earn a doctorate. We need to learn "Some parents don't want their kids
Parents should watch for warning signs how they learn best; they may have to labeled, but they need to realize if they
that children may be struggling, said learn a different style of learning." don't get labeled, they won't get accom-
Mitch Spero, a licensed psychologist at Schools can help, said Denise Rusnak, modations on tests," he said. "Act and act
Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and also director of exceptional student education soon. Find out how your child learns; it
director of Child and Family Psychologists for Broward County Public Schools. really makes a huge difference. And be
with offices in Plantation and Weston. "It may take longer, but these students collaborative with the schools."
Such warning signs include homework will get from point A to point B," she Eljaua, of Broward's support services
taking exorbitant amounts of time or emo- said. "The route may look a little differ- department, said parents can also access
tional clues of severe anxiety, anger, frus- ent. That may mean accommodations on the school board's website for community
tration or sadness with academic tasks. a test such as giving some extra time.. .or resources.
Spero said. instead of placing 10 items on a page, giv- ''I think parents need to know they are
"Some children with a learning dis- ing them five items on a page." not alone," he said. "There are so many
ability might appear to be using anger as a Most parents of children with learning resources out in the community."
mask for depression or anxiety for issues disabilities (75 percent) believe they could Added Halpert, "These kids are inventors.
of self-esteem," he said. "If a child doesn't do more to help their child, according to You want to nourish what your child is
feel as though he can achieve, or inferior, the survey. good at. Keep building that creativity."
he might act out.'' If parents suspect their children may For more information, call 754-321 -
Emotional support, he emphasizes, is have a learning disability, they should fig- 2204 or visit broward.k12.fl.us/student
essential for children's success. ure out how their children learn best and support/ese.
"A licensed psychologist can help the communicate with teachers, said Mark Visit the Learning Disabilities
family to help the child not to be affected Halpert, co-president of the Learning Dis- Association of Florida at lda-florida.org
on an emotional level due to the cognitive abilities Association of Florida in Boca and the National Center for
Learning Disabilities at ncld.org.
deficiency," he said. "A learning disability Raton.

42 SOUTH FLORIDA PARENTING. www.southfloridaparenting.com