Does my child have a learning disorder?

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

Hi!! This is my first time here. I have a 7y in 2nd grade. I homeschooled in first grade and it was very slow going. She went to public K and came out not even knowing the sounds of letters. So—during first grade—I taught her the sounds. This year—2nd grade–she has started reading—but no where near she should be. Her writing is horrible, can’t spell, and penmanship is a nightmare. Do you guys think it is just laziness on my part to not have homeschool her well enough? Or something else going on? She’s been in school now for about 8 weeks. I’ve seen improvement in her reading and writing–but it is alot slower than I expected. I keep hoping it will “click” with her.
I also have a 8yo—in 3rd grade. Possibly ADD(lack of attention/focus)
A 3.5yo—lots of problems with him (mixed developmental disorder), has a language disorder with expressive/receptive language. Possible bipolar, ADHD, OCD/anxiety(these are undx right now)
And—a 2yo.

With all the stuff we are going thru with my 3.5y son–I have looked into every disorder that’s out there. Now I’m afraid that I’m “giving” my other kids problems they don’t have.
But my 7yo really worries me with her not “clicking” faster. She really is at a 1st grade level. Holding her back would be horrible for her—because of her friends in 2nd grade. She has a middle of the year b-day–March. So holding her back wasn’t even considered.

Suggestions needed.
Thanks
Holly

Submitted by des on Tue, 10/28/2003 - 3:45 AM

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Well the first thing you shouldn’t do is blame yourself for not homeschooling her well enough!! If she knows the sounds, esp if she knows them correctly, then she knows more than half the other kids in her class because I doubt they were taught them.

But if they wanted to hold her back, I imagine it is a bit more serious than some typical delays or uneven development. It is not so easy to get held back in second grade. I would think about having her tested?

I don’t know as I haven’t been thru this but the other parents here have. But I’m sure they’d agree you shouldn’t be blaming yourself!!!

—des

Submitted by LindaW on Tue, 10/28/2003 - 12:43 PM

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Holly,

Does the WA next to your name mean you are from Washington state? If so, there is an incredible institution in Seattle that you should check out. It is the Handle Institute (www.handle.org). I think they would be very good at assessing your children and helping you to figure out what is going on.

Good luck.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 10/29/2003 - 12:33 AM

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Or you could have a traditional neuropsych eval done to rule out LD or ADHD. These disorder really run in families. If one kid has it, the odds that another kid in the family also does are pretty high, at least where that kid is exhibiting signs consistent with LD/ADHD. Think about an OT eval as well. OT can help with handwriting problems and an OT can teach you how to work with your daughter at home on her issues.

Submitted by llp479 on Wed, 10/29/2003 - 4:36 PM

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The writting issues remind me very much of my daughter. It took me two years, starting in 2nd grade, to get the district to do testing, and this was after an outside evaluation. Fianlly, they agreed yes, she has an LD. Try doing a search on dysgraphia and see if this fits with what you are seeing in your daughter. Do not blame yourself, or your daughter.

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 10/30/2003 - 8:28 PM

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I appreciate all your responses. I emailed the HANDLE instit. for problems with my son. So I know alittle bit about them.
I talked with the school psych and they will have a meeting to see if my dd needs testing. I guess they decide if she’s “bad” enough to do that. I’m not concerned one bit about her behavior or social aspects. Her problem is all reading/writing.
Thanks for you who mentioned OT. My son had OT—but not anymore and I never thought of it for my dd. That’s a great idea to get her eval’d in the area of fine motor. She still won’t hold a scissors correctly!!

Thanks again!!

Holly

Submitted by skoobi on Fri, 11/07/2003 - 4:37 PM

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i also have thought alot that the problems my son is having were because i homeschooled him for a year……… but if that were the case my other son would also be having problems, and he is not. i had the same problems with my youngerson in home school setting that he has in the ps setting.

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