Learning Disabilities, common problems in children

Mumbai, Dec 1 (UNI) Learning Disabilities(LD) are common problems in children caused by alterations in the brain and these alterations can be caused due to genetic, congenital as well as acquired causes.

LD can only be diagnosed if the opportunity for learning is present, said Dr Gerald Erenberg, MD from US here.

He was speaking at a two-day symposium on 'Learning Disabilities' (LD) inaugurated yesterday. The topics covered in the symposium are 'The Learning Disabilities Movement in India','The biological basis of learning disabilities', 'Types of learning disabilities- Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia', 'Panel discussion- Technology for teaching for LD','How the Government can help', 'Career opportunities for People with Disabilities' and so on.

Dr Erenberg said,''The child with LD is one who does not meet expectations of academic performance in school but has intelligence in the normal range. The student's inability to learn is not due to hunger, chronic infection, anaemia, parasitic infestation, sensory impairment, hearing impairment, motor impairment, lack of motivation and emotional block.'' He dispels myth and sheds light on LD saying,''A child can be affected by toxic influences in pregnancy such as alcohol exposure, smoking, there is a two-fold increase in rate of maternal smoking, and in the case of substance abuse.

Some other toxic influences of pregnancy are psychological disturbances. Animal studies show that stress during pregnancy leads to persistent behavioural change in the offspring. Emotional over reactiveness excess secretion of cortisol, altered sexual behaviour and cognitive impairment. This probably occurs in human even taking into account persistence of stress (depression, anxiety) into the post natal period, he said.

Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) addresses LD issues at the grassroots, collaborating with the LD clinic at Sion Hospital which is one of the largest government hospitals in India. It is one of the few certified institutions of its kind dedicated to detecting and treating LD's.

Their activities include sustaining the clinic through financial support, collaborating with the clinic to simplify the day to day logistics and management, supporting LD awareness workshops for schools teachers, parents and donating innovative, remedial courses.

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