Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Learning Disabilities Not Otherwise Specified (LD NOS)

Along with the Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Chloe was diagnosed with Learning Disabilities Not Otherwise Specified (LD NOS).

What is LD NOS? This is a disorder in learning that does not meet specific criteria for any specific Learning Disorder. A child with a Learning Disorder might have problems all 3 areas (reading/language (Dyslexia), Math (Dyscalculia), and Writing (Dsgraphia)). Chloe is only 6 years old and is in Kindergarten so I think it’s hard to see what areas she might have a specific Learning Disorder in. I guess that is way they labled her with LD NOS. Anways, she will be having further testing in June and she will also be seeing a Neurologist in April.

Chloe is a pleaser and tries very hard but sometimes she does have trouble following instructions, concentrating and retaining what she just learned. I read that learning disabilities are caused by abnormality in the nervous systems that affects receiving, processing, or communicating information. I asked the Doctor if she thought Heterotaxy could cause Learning Disorders. She said, no. Children diagnosed with a Learning disability may also be diagnosed with ADHD. This is what happened in Chloe’s case. I also learned that LD NOS and ADHD may run in families.

It is very important detected and treat Learning Disabilities or ADHD early. This will help prevent low self-esteem and behavioral problems in ones child. I believe in positive reinforcement with Chloe. I always try to point out the good and never the negative. I firmly do not believe in medicating Chloe and creating new health issues for her. Chloe already has enough health issues to deal with.

If you think your child may have a learning disability you should have them evaluated by educational and mental health a professional for which includes educational and psychological testing. The team will also talk to the parents, the child and may even consult with your child’s teacher in order to help them with the diagnosis.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

My son was diagnoses with a NOS mixed reading and writting language. Yet the schools still can not figure out how to help him. It is very hard and frustrating. i wish there was more help for kids.

Anonymous said...

I highly recommend that any child diagnosed with learning issues, add/adhd, especially with other physical issues, be properly evaluated for Tick-Borne diseases as an underlying cause. See LymeInduced Autism and www.ilads.org. Tickborne diseases cause nervous system dysfunction resulting in many of these issues. Our whole family got sick and it took years to figure out- we were lucky - since our children have been treated, they've regained huge ground in their IQ (son went from 107 IQ to 131) and doing well in school. These kids all would have been learning disabled. Google and read up - these illnesses are getting missed, and children are suffering for a lifetime instead of for a duration of 3-5 years which it takes to properly heal from these illnesses in severe cases. - Mother with PHD in neuropsychology - also - google Dr. Brian Fallon and neurocognitive impacts of lyme, columbia university.

Anonymous said...

I have a son who is 20 yrs old and was diagnosed with LS NOS at 17. I to agree that it is very frustrating for us only because we can see the frustration and disgust in him and hear it in his voice. He is in his third year of college and let me tell you he is struggling and it is so upsetting to see that he is ready to give up. I to wish there was more to do for this disability. I also wonder how it will affect him in his adult years to come.