We got a diagnosis He qualifies!

The label my son had in school was SLD—specific learning disability—which is not very specific at all!!!

Why does this label make you feel as though you are responsible?

Beth

Beth is right sld sounds a bit like an oxymoron, specific learning disability which is not specific at all.

Why blame yourself? You are on this board looking for answers, that makes you one of the top moms out there.

Just realize the school will not have all the answers. I hate to say it but it really is just a tangled web. You as the mom must develop an understanding of his specific issues and seek appropriate therapies/programs that meet those needs. You can get some help at the school but you have to educate yourself about what truely works and demand those programs and therapies. You also have to supplement with treatments outside of school.

The fact that you found this board means you are headed in the right direction.

If they are using SLD to mean learning disability as is common (I too have seen those initials used for speech-language disorder) it usually means that he has at least average intelligence but that there is a significant discrepancy between his ability level (IQ) and his achievement in one or more academic areas. (Some states or districts may have different ways of qualifying for SLD— including “processing problems”) It is in no way “your fault” any more than it’s “your fault” that he has blue eyes. What kids with learning disabilities need is to be taught differently, usually in small group instruction, or with the help of a special education teacher in his regular classroom. While one doesn’t “outgrow” a learning disability, it is very possible to be successful in school and with the right help, learn to compensate for areas of weakness.

I can tell you this, everything that I’ve learned about my sons’ LDs and how to advocate for their needs I learned on the internet. The schools often don’t employ people with enough knowledge about specific disabilities to be of much help although they will sit in your face and act as though they have all the answers.

As depressing as it is to be doing the research necessary to understand what these kids are facing, it has to be done. It is a blow to any parent when they find that their child has a disability, regardless of the type. And there is a period of self blame and mourning that takes place. But you have to work through it and get past it quickly because you have to do the leg work that will enable you to advocate for your child. (I have bipolar disorder and my son has it also. He got it genetically from me so I know of what I speak.)

Research the disability, but also if you are new to the world of IEP’s and such you need to research the laws, IDEA, the American’s with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act. If you have to fight hard for what your son needs it will be really handy to have a copy of these laws with you (it just stuns the school that a parent would go that far for their child for some reason). The schools will most likely try to fit your son into programs already in place when according to federal law they have to personalize his education to his specific needs. I spent many days on the internet doing research and printing information out. I also spent many years fighting our local school system for my sons’ rightful educations until I finally got fed up and started homeschooling this year.

I hope you don’t have to fight, but if you do it is always good to be prepared.