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October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

Not All Great Minds Think Alike

Did you know that Albert Einstein couldn't read until he was nine? Walt Disney, General George Patton, and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller had trouble reading all their lives. Whoopi Goldberg and Charles Schwab and many others have learning disabilities which haven't affected their ultimate success.

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month is a time when the nation turns its attention to creating greater awareness of children and adults with learning disabilities. According to the National Institute of Health, 15 percent of the U.S. population, or one in seven Americans, has some type of learning disability. What exactly is a learning disability? A learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired." Children with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways.

If you would like to learn more, please click on the link below to view a short video entitled: “What Are Learning Disabilities?”

https://youtu.be/JE9Wu-bsNFA

*Please remember that The Division of Special Education has a frequently updated web page as well, in Spanish and English, with supplemental resources to support your child's distance learning experience. https://achieve.lausd.net/Page/16606

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING EXPERIENCE

For your student, remote learning is likely a new experience and may feel isolating or disconnected. Let them know that technical issues are inevitable, and keep tabs on what your student needs. If they are enjoying the independence of learning remotely, encourage them. If they seem hesitant or unsure, they may need someone there to share the experience with them. You can help support their transition by sitting in for parts of their classes to keep them company. When they seem more settled, let them know you need to go get your own work done and you’ll be back to check in later on.

SCHEDULE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

Physical and social activity are essential to your child’s wellbeing, and they need to be prioritized even more now that we are in remote learning. Scheduling time for movement, social interaction, and play helps your child have a positive experience at home and helps them focus when it’s time to sit down in front of the computer.

• Create a family dance, Act out a scene from a book, Play your favorite game, Cook or bake your family’s favorite recipe

CONNECT WITH THEIR INSTRUCTORS

• For now you no longer have the opportunity of crossing paths with school staff during drop off and pick up, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to hear from you. If you have questions or concerns about your student’s progress, please send an email or schedule a video call to discuss with their teacher. And don’t hesitate to reach out to the teacher or the principal if there’s a technical issue you can’t solve during class.

Mindfulness is the ability to focus on the here and now, to be present in the moment. Too often we worry about things that we cannot change from the past or things that may never happen in the future. Mindfulness reduces stress, fosters self awareness and allows one to maximize their potential. Feeling stressed out from dealing with all your responsibilities? Please take a moment to look at one of the three short videos below to learn more about mindfulness and practice it for yourself.

This conflict has caused stress and anxiety for our community. LDNE and our community of schools have been supporting schools with resources to support our families. The following are some additional resources: