Advocating For Your Child – Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

Every child is unique. Each one possesses their own strengths, interests, and areas of improvement within all facets of their lives. In this month’s edition of Parenting Corner, for Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, we’ll explore essential information about learning disabilities, practical strategies for supporting your child, and resources to help navigate the educational landscape. 

What is a Learning Disability?

Learning disabilities are a range of conditions that affect a person’s ability to process and understand information in the same way as others. Common types include dyslexia, which affects reading and language processing; dyscalculia, which impacts math skills; and ADHD, which can influence focus and impulse control. While learning disabilities do not stand in the way of a child’s intellectual capacity, they can impact skills such as reading, writing, math, and focus. It is important to note that learning disabilities are different from intellectual, emotional, and physical/motor disabilities. Schools offer various interventions or supports to meet the needs of all students in all areas of development, from supports/services in the general education environment or through special education. Through these means, there are a plethora of services and specialists inside and outside of the school system who can offer support to families and children to meet their individual academic and functional goals. 

If you suspect your child may have a learning disability, your physician is the number one resource to speak with about any difficulties your child may be facing. As parents, you will need to have concrete observations of your child’s behavior to share with your childcare physician. Remember to note that a learning disability is not the immediate conclusion to any academic related problems students may be facing. As we spoke about in our earlier Parenting Corner newsletters, children should be meeting their developmental milestones in all areas of development including physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional. All children develop at their own pace, but if you have a concern, please meet with your child’s physician.

What is Special Education?

Students that receive Special Education receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). It is important to know that Special Education is not a place or separate classroom, but rather a range of services that look different for each student. The goal is to provide an inclusive environment that helps a student work on their goals (which also can look different for each student!). Students can and do succeed with learning needs, but they need the right support and services in order to achieve success. 

The process for obtaining services or supports for your child begins with your child being evaluated by the school for eligibility (see resources below on instructions for requesting an evaluation). School psychologists, social workers, speech-language pathologists and various other professionals can work and gain data on the child’s present levels during this process. Once the child is evaluated, the team that works with the child (including you and the child) determines if they are eligible for Special Education or other supports, if the child is eligible. If you have any questions about the Special Education evaluation process, contact your physician or school psychologist.

Resources and Academic Partnerships

We know the process for obtaining support for your child with learning needs can be difficult. Consult the resources below to get more information on Learning Disabilities, Special Education, and even some resources within our jamat.

Resources for being a partner with schools: 

1. How to have conversations with your child – see guidance here

2. How to reach out to Teachers / Schools – see email template here

3. How to prepare for a school meeting – See preparation materials here

Resources about Special Education:

1. Difference between IEP and 504 Plans (Another way to get support for your child with learning needs)

2. How to request an IEP evaluation – It is your legal right as a parent to ask a public school to evaluate your child for special education. Learn more about how to in the article above.

3. How to prepare for an IEP meeting

Resources within our Jamat:

1. Creative Learning Classrooms (CLC) through Aga Khan Social Welfare Board – Regional classes (Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Central) promoting the academic, social, and faith-oriented skills of Jamati members with disabilities of all ages.

2. Camp Mosaic through Aga Khan Youth & Sports Board – Offer opportunities for participants and staff with disabilities to engage in an inclusive, summer camp environment aimed at building their skills. Special Education team works with families and local camps to facilitate experiences

3. Special Education Parent WhatsApp Group – if you are a parent with a child with a disability, or if you have questions about the world of Special Education, join our parent group staffed with Ismaili professionals working in the field.

4. Intro to IEP and 504 Plans Webinar – Listen to this webinar to learn more about IEP’s and 504 plans

For Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, let us have positive conversations with our children about how all people are special and unique in their own way. Here are some resources to help jump start these conversations with your children at home.