Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of learning disabilities?
Learning disabilities encompass a range of conditions that affect an individual's ability to acquire, process, or retain information. Common types include dyslexia, which impacts reading; dysgraphia, affecting writing; dyscalculia, related to math; and auditory processing disorder, which affects understanding spoken language. In Manitoba, psychoeducational assessments must be completed by a psychologist. For more information, or to find a registered psychologist in your community, click here.
How are learning disabilities diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a team of professionals, including psychologists, educational diagnosticians, and speech-language pathologists. This assessment may include standardized tests, observations, medical history review, and interviews with the individual and their caregivers.
What strategies can help individuals with learning disabilities succeed in school?
Strategies vary based on the individual's specific challenges, but may include breaking tasks into manageable steps, using multisensory approaches, providing visual aids, offering frequent feedback, and utilizing assistive technology such as text-to-speech software or graphic organizers.
What resources are available for parents/caregivers of children with learning disabilities?
Parents/caregivers can access resources such as local support groups, online forums, informational websites like the Learning Disabilities Association of America, workshops or webinars, and books written by experts in the field.
How can teachers support students with learning disabilities in the classroom?
Teachers can support students by creating inclusive learning environments, providing differentiated instruction, offering additional time or resources for assignments, implementing assistive technology, and collaborating with special education professionals to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) or individualized adaptation plans (IAPs)
Can learning disabilities coexist with other conditions, such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder?
Yes, learning disabilities often coexist with other neurodevelopmental disorders. For example, many individuals with dyslexia also have ADHD, and there is overlap between learning disabilities and conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, and intellectual disabilities.
What role do parents/caregivers play in supporting a child with a learning disability?
Parents/caregivers play a crucial role in advocating for their child's needs, providing emotional support, collaborating with educators and specialists, facilitating access to resources and interventions, and fostering a positive attitude toward learning and self-advocacy.
Are there any therapies or interventions specifically designed for individuals with learning disabilities?
Yes, there are several evidence-based interventions tailored to address the specific needs of individuals with learning disabilities. These may include specialized tutoring programs, educational therapies such as Orton-Gillingham, occupational therapy to address fine motor skills, and speech therapy to improve language and communication skills
How can employers accommodate individuals with learning disabilities in the workplace?
Employers can accommodate individuals with learning disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations such as assistive technology, flexible work schedules, written instructions, job coaching or mentoring, and creating a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and celebrates individual strengths. Does the Learning disabilities Association of Manitoba provide psychoeducational assessments?
What are some signs that my child might have a learning disability?
Your child may have a learning disability if they are struggling with language, remembering, reading, spelling, and/or math for a prolonged period of time. Since each person is unique in their abilities and learning style, some children may take more time to learn these concepts.
At what age does a learning disability start to show?
Learning disabilities can usually be diagnosed by the time your child is 7 or 8. Early signs of learning disabilities are often detected in the first two years of school. It’s important to have an assessment done when difficulties arise, as children are good at working around or covering up learning difficulties as they get older.
Does my child have dyslexia if they write letters back to front?
No, this does not mean that your child has a learning disability. If this is happening early in their learning, this is not a reason for concern. It can be a normal stage of development. If this continues into their middle years, further investigation is warranted.
does my child have a learning disability if they are having trouble reading?
Many children have trouble reading, writing, or performing other learning related tasks at some point. This does not mean that they have a learning disability. A child with a learning disability often has several related signs, and they don’t go away or get better over time.
What should I do if I think my child has a learning disability?
If your child has significant ongoing challenges with reading, writing, spelling, or math, you should have your child assessed. A good first step is to talk to your child’s teacher. Schools have access to resource staff and other professionals who can provide an educational assessment for your child. You might also like to talk to a health care professional like your family doctor, a speech pathologist, or a psychologist about a formal assessment.
Does my child need a diagnosis to attend your programs?
Students do not need a diagnosed learning disability to participate in, or benefit from, our programs.