by Calvin Robinson

Created on: August 25, 2007

Every parent with a child with learning disabilities needs to know some basic information and needs to follow through with some basic actions. I am an adult who suffered through childhood with learning disabilities. I eventually made it through college at a major university and have been a successful professional for over 25 years.

Not all learning disabilities are the same. Just because your child has a learning disability does not mean that child is doomed to failure or needs a crutch to lean on. Some so called learning disabilities are not that at all. They are just manifestations of learning in a different or more non traditional way. Some learning disabilities may call for medication and others may not. Blanket medication of children can be a mistake, by the same token, refusing medication can be also. Careful analysis needs to be done by concerned parents who take professional opinions under advisement but do not limit their own decisions because of the opinions of others. I am going to discuss one scenario for people who are considered learning disabled.

Some children are very gifted, but learn in ways that are not accommodated by most public or even private schools. These children can incorrectly be labeled as learning disabled. If a child learns poorly in one situation, the method they learn best might not be the one being used. Learning differently from others is not a disability other than the fact that most schools only teach one way. In fact the schools are basically teaching disabled to a large degree. If your child is a bright, creative, resourceful, and talented individual, don't accept the learning disabled label. That child could be like I was and only able to bloom when they are in the correct environment to promote their style of learning.

Remember, Albert Einstein was considered learning disabled. In fact, he was so gifted, the normal teaching institutions were teaching disabled and could not teach him the way he learned best. When he was able to get into the proper environment, he excelled. Home schooling may be the way to go if your child falls into a situation like what I have been describing here. Never give up on your child and always question if what the professionals recommend is really the best. I know from personal experience it is not always the case that the professionals know best. All parents should find out what their child is interested in, excel in, and how they learn best. These things should be encouraged and built upon to keep every child from being left behind by our teaching disabled education system.

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