The Evolution of LD: A Global Guide for Parents

According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 25% of children with learning disabilities will drop out of high school, compared to 9.4% of the general student population. Though a concerning statistic, even more troubling are the results of a Roper Starch Poll which revealed that 44% of parents who noticed some indication of learning difficulty in their children waited a year or more before openly acknowledging that the problem may be serious. Once a much tabooed topic of discussion amongst parents, acknowledgement and education about learning differences is growing and, fortunately, so are the resources available to families throughout the world.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities defines a learning disability, a term coined over 50 years ago, as “a neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to receive, process, store and respond to information.” LD students may have difficulties with reading, spelling, writing, mathematical calculations, verbal and social skills. Approximately one-third of LD students are also diagnosed with AD/HD, while many others exhibit characteristics associated with giftedness.

“There is no doubt that stigmas are still a big issue,” says David Tuttle, Admissions Director at The Kildonan School, a New York boarding school serving students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences. “However, there is a lot going on globally and so many more options exist for families today than ever before.”

Helen Waldron, who has served for more than 20 years as Assistant Head at The Forman School, a Connecticut boarding school for students with learning differences, has witnessed many of the changes that have occurred in LD education and support over the years.

“Feeling safe in the classroom is a new experience for many LD students and it enables them to be more engaged,” says Waldron. “Learning programs and strategies that build on what students can do – rather than what they cannot do – improve confidence and highlight the success of each child.”

Parents often feel confused or lost when it comes to how to best help their LD child. According to Waldron, “some parents initially believe that a Learning Difference is something that can be ‘fixed.’” The Learning Disabilities Association of America educates families that learning disabilities are lifelong conditions and that only through “understanding, support, and appropriate interventions” can children be successful in the classroom.

For many families, enrolling their child at a boarding school specializing in working with LD students, such as Kildonan or Forman, can make a tremendous difference in the life of the student as this is often the first time they will have felt comfortable in a classroom setting.

“An all-LD school provides a safe place where students can focus their energy toward learning,” says Waldron. “Students do not need to give up arts, athletics, or other extras to get the support they need.”

In this age of technology and instant information, families can also find many resources available through local, national, and international organizations dedicated to educating families on LD issues. During a recent trip to São Paulo, Tuttle had the opportunity to develop contacts with several organizations including Education USA and the Associação Brasileira de Dislexia (ABD).

“In Brazil, ABD is a thriving organization founded by parents of students with LD who are doing remarkable things,” says Tuttle.

The Education USA organization assists families by hosting seminars, receptions, and providing a full resource library of school and college information for those seeking educational options in the U.S.

“It has been interesting to watch how different cultures are reacting to the growing awareness of learning differences,” says Tuttle. “For example, in mainland China I am rarely contacted directly [by families] at a school fair, but parents will often wait for me in the hallway or stop and ask if they could meet me at another time.”

Tuttle, who spends several weeks per year meeting with families worldwide and speaking about the ever-changing resources available to families with LD children, feels that connecting faces with learning disabilities provides a visual point of reference. Most people aren’t aware that some of the world’s greatest leaders, artists and inventors have had learning disabilities including Cher, Albert Einstein, Tom Cruise, Walt Disney, Steven Spielberg, Thomas Edison, Whoopi Goldberg, and Pablo Picasso. A motley mix of characters, this group is a great point of reference for families across the globe of the types of accomplishments LD students can achieve given the appropriate resources and support.