Early intervention in all areas of learning disability is a key component to helping your child successfully meet the challenges that lie ahead in the school setting. Parents are a child's first and best teachers and they are often the ones to identify the early signs of a learning disability. Although there is no typical profile of a child with a learning disability, some common characteristics are frequently noted among these children. Misreads information Assessments and testing for children who exhibit signs of a learning disability When a learning disability is suspected, based on parent and or teacher observations, a formal evaluation of the child is necessary. A parent can request this evaluation or it may be advised by the school.
Parental consent is needed before a child can be tested for a learning disability.
There are a variety of assessment tests for evaluating learning disabilities. Prior to any formal testing a conference is usually arranged between the child's parents and representatives from the special education department. Parents often feel intimidated or overwhelmed during this period so it is a good idea to write down any questions or thoughts that you wish to discuss before you get to the meeting. Don't be afraid to ask for more complete explanations if you are unclear about what a specialist is telling you. Just as there are many different types of learning disabilities, there are a variety of tests that may be administered to your child in an attempt to pinpoint the problem areas.