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In the past, children with learning disabilities were hidden at home. A pathetic few might never have left home until their souls had first left their bodies.

Today, however, children with learning disabilities are integrated into the mainstream. Many parents of children with learning disabilities know that academically their children may not be able to cope. However, they prefer their children be around others so that they learn social skills that will help them survive a harsh world.

Learning disabilities may only be surfaced when the child is in kindergarten or thereafter. For example, dyslexia can only be confirmed after the child has been taught the basics of reading and confirmation can be as late as when the child in seven or eight years old.

Other learning disabilities may not be surfaced as they may be hidden by the child's good behaviour. A child who is selective mute or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) Passive may never be discovered until he is in his teens as he may be wrongly read as a very well-behaved child.

What you should know before your child is evaluated for learning difficulties:

1. Every person is unique. Hence, everyone of us most likely will have our own learning disability to contend with, some of us thinking we are perfectly normal. Do not be intimidated by thoughts of your child being branded for being special in his own way.

2. There is no need to thank anyone for giving us our special ability or to cry over it. Remember Helen Keller and Forrest Gum and all other special people in the world, and start thanking God that we will overcome someday.

3. Research has shown that barely 10% of our brain capacity is harnessed and that our brain reflects the beauty of its Maker - there are ways to make up for its deficits. For example, f you have a child who lost the short term memory cells to high fever as an infant, train him to use his long term memory and teach him like you are a broken-down recorder, repeating till kingdom comes.

4. 'Stupid is as stupid does' - stop moaning over what your child cannot or may not be able to do, and start searching for that gem in him to polish and help him shine. Man is no octopus after all, so there is no need to match up to the Thomases next door.

5. Certain tests can only be carried out at particular developmental stages so do not start assuming your child has all sorts of disabilities - let him grow as his time will come.

6. As parents, we play a major role in molding our child's future. Be there

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