I think my child has a learning challenge. What can I do?
Parents
It is thrilling to watch our child grow and develop. Sometimes we question how well they are developing. We all develop differently,but mostly follow the same path. Keeping a notebook with pictures of your child’s developmental milestones is a precious keepsake. Separately keep a list of any of your concerns. Your notebookand list are valuable diagnostic tools to share with your pediatrician.
Here is what is expected on average from birth to 20 months, and 2 to 5 years. Don’t worry if your child is delayed or skips a few activities. The more delays or skips, the more encouragement and support you should provide. If a pattern emerges check the warning signs and notify your pediatrician.
Developmental Warning Signs
Sensory, Social & Emotional, Cognitive-Thinking, Gross Motor, Fine Motor
My child is ahead and/or behind the developmental milestones. What can I do?
Consistently behind or ahead indicates a need for support in that area. Behind suggests a learning challenge. Ahead suggests giftedness. Frequently, a child will have areas of learning challenges and giftedness. Both can lead to behavior issues if not properly understood and addressed. Now, it is time to become a detective and advocate.
Knowledgeable parents are excellent identifiers of challenges and giftedness in their children. Knowledgeable parents are also excellent providers of intervention and support.
Early, birth to six years, intervention and support is key. It promotes optimal development in all children. Far more challenges will be out grown with support, than without. Insist on a least minimum number of tests, and continue on a healthy program.
Hallmarks of learning disabilities, giftedness, and behavior issues are sensory and immune challenges that effect learning both negatively and positively and alter behavior. Little realized, roughly 35% of gifted children have sensory and immune challenges. Kids with these challenges are also often visual and kinetic learners, so at odds with a verbal teaching style.