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Report Card - November 2005 - Disabilities & Syndromes |
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The Problem Learning disabilities are disorders that affect people's ability to either interpret what they see and hear or to link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show up in many ways: as specific difficulties with spoken and written language, coordination, self control, or attention. Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are examples of common learning disabilities. A syndrome is a set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain disease or disorder. Down Syndrome, Autism, Mental Retardation, and Aspergers Syndrome are examples of a syndrome. LDS Resources Two of the best LDS articles on this topic are located on the BYU website. They are: Raising A Child With Disability and Welcoming All God's Children in His House: Supporting Families of Children with Disabilities. These talks were given at Families Under Fire Conferences on the BYU campus. LDS Family Services provides a list of resources about individuals with special needs. They include those with impaired vision or hearing, mental illness, intellectual impairments, learning disabilities, serious behavioral problems, and chronic physical illnesses. |
They provide a menu of articles on “Special Needs (Disabilities, Chronic Illness)”. This list has several excellent articles about dealing with individuals with special needs including “Living with and Loving Our Handicapped Children” and “The Mathematics of Multiple Disabilities”. In the latter article, several excellent suggestions were given on how other ward members can help. Some included: Accept the person as an individual. Don’t ignore him; Recognize that training and patient persistence are often needed in reaching out to those with multiple disabilities; Realistically assess the person’s strengths and weaknesses, and adapt programs when possible; Be sensitive to the needs of family members; Understand that there are stages in adjusting to a disability, as well as variations in a person’s ability to cope; Offer to relieve the caregivers; Realistically assess with the caregiver the time he or she has available for Church service; and Remember that no matter how crippled in body or mind a person may be, there is a whole spirit inside.
Other Resources There are national organizations providing resources on most disabilities and syndromes including: 1) American Association of Mental Retardation 2) National Association For Down Syndrome 3) National Alliance for Autism Research 4) Learning Disabilities Association of America |
5)
National Attention Deficit Disorder
Association and many others are listed on the Foundation website. |
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