Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are neurologically based information processing problems that tend to arise in a child's elementary school years. These problems interfere with his learning of basic skills, including reading and writing or math. They can also add difficulties to his higher-level skills, such as organization, time management and abstract reasoning. The most common learning disability is dyslexia, which affects language and reading.
Common symptoms of learning disabilities include:
Short attention span
Poor reading and/or writing ability
Poor memory
Problems telling right from left and telling time
Difficulties with sequencing
Reverses letters
Delayed speech development, immature speech
While the child with OCD may have difficulty finishing his homework or concentrating in school because of the demands and distractions caused by his obsessions and compulsions, a learning disability is a separate issue that could require therapeutic intervention. If your child with OCD frequently displays symptoms of a learning disability, he should be tested separately for this possibility. As is the case with many childhood disorders, specific therapies have been developed to help a child cope with learning disabilities. And as is frequently the case, the sooner they are addressed, the better for your child. Fortunately, many school districts have developed tutoring programs for learning-disabled students. See Chapter 11 for guidance on accessing these programs.
