FUNctional Physical Therapy

Clearly, learning disabilities should be identified as soon as possible. Early detection takes advantage of the brain’s “plasticity,” where by the brain continues to lay down new neuronal pathways even after the child’s birth. Early detection and treatment may also prevent problems with self esteem and avoidance behaviors. Often, there are clues as early as toddlers.

Infants

Difficulty suckling
Difficulty sleeping
Habitual poor eye contact with parents
Does not participate in “peek a boo”, bye bye, “pat a cake”
Delay in milestones(rolling, sitting etc)
Avoids crawling
Abnormal overresponsiveness to physical stimuli: noises, lights,touch

Toddlers

Difficulty keeping up with peers in toddler/preschool gymnastics, movement groups
Clumsy, unbalanced walking leading to clinging behaviors
Poor attention span
Fear of climbing, hesitant to explore physically
Avoids the swing or any play equipment with an unstable base (merry go round etc)

Preschool

Delayed language skills
Trouble with word recall
Seeking out movement excessively
Avoiding playground equipment that do not provide a base (swing, see saw etc) or those which are unstable (merry go round, rocking horse etc)
Avoidance behaviors (avoids the bike, coloring, writing or drawing tasks etc)
Difficulty using scissors, poor pencil grip (awkward and tight grip)

Kindergarten and Elementary

Failure to know the names of the letters in early KG
Failure to know the sounds of letters by late KG
Poor eye hand and eye foot coordination skills (uncoordinated at sports)
Unable to keep up with peers in the playground and during gym class
Unaware of where (s)he is in space, unaware of where to place answers on the homework sheet, or how to navigate the school
Focus on the detail rather than on the big picture

Children with learning disabilities often suffer, both in the short term and long term. In the short term they may not even realize they have a specific problem. All that they know is that they are not performing well in school. Certainly by first grade, children with LD are aware that they are not performing as well as their classmates. They can identify who is in the good reading group, and who’s in the poor reading group.

Even if they are assured that this is just an isolated reading problem, they can still be heard to say, “If I’m so smart, how come I can’t read?” Loss of self esteem from learning problems may lead to negative behaviors. The child may act out or become the class clown, and get sent to the principal’s office.

Academic skills are important, but they are only potential vehicles to a greater goal: a life filled with enough self worth and happiness. Reading well is important, being happy and helpful is more important.