There is no way to prevent every learning disability, but there are principles that, if followed, will give any child a good head start.
A person is said to have a learning disability when they have a discrepancy between their mental age as measured by an IQ test and their ability to read, write, or do math. As many as 15% of children in American schools are thought to have learning disabilities. Research indicates that learning disabilities are caused by a variety of factors, both genetic and environmental. While the genetic factors cannot be altered, the environmental factors often can. To have the best chance at preventing a learning disability, the parent really should start before conception, if possible.
Research has found that mothers with an underactive thyroid are more likely to have children with lower IQ's. Some experts are calling for screening tests for women of childbearing age, in order to begin treatment for low levels of thyroid hormone even before pregnancy. The levels indicated in the research were so mild that the women had no symptoms. At the very least, high risk mothers should be screened for underactive thyroid levels early in pregnancy and treated immediately. High risk women are those with a family history of thyroid disorders, or with autoimmune diseases such as lupus or Type 1 diabetes.
Environmental factors that affect the developing brain of the child in the womb include exposure to pesticides, poor prenatal nutrition, alcohol use, drugs, and even caffeine use. Parents who want to prevent a learning disability in their child should pay special attention to good health practices during pregnancy. Mothers-to-be should eat plenty of protein and take prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid. Pregnant women and small children should stay away from farm fields being sprayed with pesticides. They should also be careful about breathing other pollutants. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to a type of mental retardation known as fetal alcohol syndrome, so alcohol should be avoided.
What if the child is already born ? Is there anything else you can do to minimize the likelihood of a learning disability ? Educational research shows that the best early childhood indicator of academic ability later is the amount of high quality interaction children have with their parents. Talk and read to your infant and do learning games with them. You don't have to be an expert and your methods don't have to be perfect. You only need an atmosphere of love, care, and attention.
Just as the baby in the womb needs a good diet, a parent must see that the child is getting proper nutrition. A growing nervous system cannot develop properly on sugar laden junk foods, yet many children, including many already labeled with learning disabilities, subsist on them. Children need adequate protein and vitamins. In addition, some researchers feel that learning disabilities are aggravated by food allergies. If a child already has a learning disorder, it may help to have him tested for food allergies, and then stick to the prescribed diet.
Still another area to look at when trying to prevent a learning disability is the harmony in the home. If the home is filled with chaos and fighting, the child cannot be expected to learn as well as a child from a peaceful home. A child from a dysfunctional home has problems on her mind that will distract her from applying herself to schoolwork.
Perhaps the family members get along well, but the home is noisy due to loud music or a television playing constantly. These distractions interfere with the basic acquisition of language and other preschool skills. Try to have quiet times of family games, reading, or conversation, instead of a steady stream of noise.
Following this advice will not necessarily prevent every learning disability, but these measures will give your child the best possible chance at academic success.
By : Barbara Wood
