A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects the way a person's brain interprets information. Common learning disabilities, according to LD Online, include dyslexia, also known as a reading disability or a reading disorder; dyscalculia, which is a mathematical disability; dysgraphia, which is a disability when a person has trouble writing and forming letters; auditory and visual processing disorders, which make it difficult for a person with normal hearing and vision to understand language; and nonverbal learning disability, which causes problems with special, organizational and evaluative functions. About 15 percent of Americans have a learning disability, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Step 1
Call your school district and ask them about their learning disability programs. Most public schools have classes for learning disabled children. Depending on your child's needs and the severity of his disorder, you might need to consider sending your child to a school with more specialized skills and services.
Step 2
Interview the administrators at the school. When you find a school you like, you still need to find out how much the administration knows about your child's specific learning needs. "Attitude," a magazine for people living with attention deficit disorder, suggests interviewing principals, primary teachers, speech therapists, teacher's assistants and other special-need faculty members before enrolling your child.
Step 3
Attend open-house tours. Ask if you can observe a class in progress. Observe the behavior of the children and how the teachers and students interact. Look for samples of student's work, which will be displayed on bulletin boards.
Step 4
Research boarding schools if your public school is not up to your standards. According to BoardingSchoolsinfo.com, your school district might offer financial assistance to send your child to boarding school if its special education programs are inadequate.
Step 5
Search for private schools with special education programs. The National Center for Education Statistics has a search form you can use to look for schools in specific areas and with an emphasis on special programs.
Step 6
Research charter schools in your city. Charter schools are public schools designed to tailor education to each child's individual needs. EdReform.com has information on nearly 5,000 charter schools.
Tips and Warnings
- Behavior problems at home and in school can be indicative of a learning disability. Charter schools are public schools that adhere to state laws. They are prohibited from discriminating in admissions and are required to accept all students who applies for enrollment or hold a lottery if there are more applicants than available space. Request references from parents with children enrolled in the LD program at the school. Ask how their child likes the school and how often the faculty goes over your child's needs with you.
- Some boarding school will combine students with learning disabilities and those with psychiatric problems.
