LD or learning disability in plain words is a life-long condition that presents as problem or hindrance for your child to learn a particular skill or concept such as language, writing and reading. In other terms, a child with LD won’t benefit from traditional ways of teaching and will require a special approach in order to grasp such skills and concepts simply because their brains are "wired" differently.

LD is an entirely different spectrum of conditions and should not be misconceived as mental retardation, behavior disorders, blindness, deafness and autism.

Although LD is not something that can be cured and though it persists throughout the life of a child up to adulthood, it does not mean that it is hopeless. In fact, a number of great minds have been known to have some form of learning disability but they’ve managed to live and lead successful, if not prominent, lives. Think for one, Albert Einstein who apparently was able to read only when he was nine.

Now, the disability to read is just one of the many conditions that fall under the general umbrella of Learning Disability for there are a number of learning disabilities. Among the most common ones are: dyslexia also known as reading disability or reading disorder wherein the child has difficulty in comprehending written words; dysgraphia wherein the child finds it difficult to write in a given space or to form letters; dyscalcula wherein the child has difficulty grasping mathematical concepts and solving arithmetic problems; and auditory and visual processing disorder a type of sensory disability where the child has normal vision and hearing and yet has difficulty comprehending and using language.

Understandably, all parents would only want the best for their children. But what if, your child seems to show some lags in his performance in school that makes you suspect that he might actually have some form of learning disability? What should you do?

Your initial reaction and action will matter greatly. You are your child’s first and best teacher. And whatever you do will greatly affect your child’s emotional health and psychological well being, which will also have an enormous impact on the way he will cope with his disability.

Even though it may be frightening at first, your suspicions should merit some action. Keeping your cool and focusing on your child’s strength and not zeroing only on his learning disability will help a lot.

After that, consultations with professionals that deal with this particular condition will also buffer your apprehensions. Seeking the help of a developmental pediatrician for evaluation and referral to a network of paramedical and educational professionals such as Occupational Therapists, Special Educators and Speech and Language Pathologists to collaborate and form a team to help your child will also provide a more hopeful outcome.

The author is a registered Occupational Therapist and is currently practicing in the pediatric setting. He heads the Early Intervention Program for children with special needs including learning disabilities.