The Breakthroughs in Learning Blog

Learning disabilities present the possibility of sobering outcomes: reduced likelihood of employment, risk of not graduating high school and an increased chance of developing further psychological difficulties.  However, a learning disability does not have to be a death sentence to a productive life.  As knowledge of learning disabilities expands so do options for treatment and therapy to dramatically improve performance. 

When parents learn of a child’s learning disability it is not uncommon for them to experience a grieving process similar to the stages of grief described by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.  While not grieving a death, there is grief surrounding expectations parents may have held for that child.

Learning disability myths arise from many assumptions about children and their environments, including the quality of parenting.  The prevalence of these myths prevents the proper treatment for learning disabilities and sometimes shames parents into not seeking help for their children. 

“They’ll grow out of it.”  This is what parents often hear as issues arise during child rearing.  Some behaviours can work themselves out as a child matures, but a learning disability is not merely a behaviour.  It is a serious issue that compromises both learning and quality of life.