The parent usually alerts the family physician or pediatrician. Teachers also often identify children with learning disabilities. Upon examination, the physician or pediatrician may refer the child to a pediatric developmental team for further testing and evaluation. The team may include a neurologist, a psychologist, a child psychiatrist, an eye specialist, an ear specialist, an occupational therapist, and a speech therapist. It is important to try to determine if some factor in the home environment is contributing to, or even causing, the child's learning disability.
Some schools provide for the diagnosis and treatment of children with learning disabilities.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important because specialized teaching techniques can help many students overcome their disabilities and succeed in school. Unless a child receives appropriate treatment, learning problems may continue into adulthood. It is important to note that not all learning and behavioral problems are caused by learning disabilities. Some learning-disabled children learn best in special classes, while many can improve their skills in regular classes with the use of supplemental activities. In some situations, children with hyperactivity may require medication to allow them to work effectively in school.