What to do if you think your child has a learning disability.
As a parent, be sure to mention any concerns about your child's development at your regular pediatrician appointment. No one knows your child the way do and therefore you will have insights that others will not. The earlier a disability is caught, the easier it usually is to help correct it. There are plenty of baby and child books listing general milestones for regular intervals. Keep in mind that those lists are not written in stone as every child develops at their own internal pace. If your pediatrician does not seem as concerned as you do, there are a couple of steps you can take.
The first step you can take is to see about a referral from your pediatrician for a development specialist. Many children's hospitals have a department for evaluating potential disabilities such as autism, speech delays, physical and mental delays. An actual referral from a physician is not required usually, but make sure that any test results are forwarded to the doctor so they can be added to the medical file.
Every state has a program called Early Childhood Intervention or Child Find. The local school district can give you the phone number or a search on the Internet can give the same information. This program is funded by the state and federal government through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The evaluations and assessments are free of charge. There is a sliding scale for costs if services are determined to be needed by the child. No child will be turned away for inability to pay though. ECI goes to the child's home to provide services as that is where they are most comfortable. Once a child turns three, an evaluation is performed. If continuing help is needed, the local school district takes over. Schools are mandated to provide these services, even if the child is not enrolled at the school until usually they turn six.
Talk with the person who will do the evaluation. Find out the type of evaluation and which areas it will cover. Make sure the questions they want to answer are close to your own questions and concerns. The more information you have ahead of time, the more comfortable you will be and so will your child. There will be a team of persons who perform the tests, each one being a specialist in a certain area such as speech or psychology. Know what to bring from home. They may ask you to keep a short journal before the evaluation to provide additional information. Do not be afraid to stick up for your child or to disagree with an examiner.
The most common types of assessments are developmental, family, multidisciplinary and play-based. Each one has a different target and way of evaluation. Other sources of help that you can turn to are a local mental health, child and family service agency, the local health department or even your health insurance company. You may be surprised at how insistent you have to be to get your child help. It may take an evaluation every month or two before they are convinced that help is needed by the child. Be your child's advocate.
