AD/HD and Dyslexia: Supporting Children and Adults with Learning Difficulties

AD/HD and Dyslexia

Supporting Children and Adults with Learning Difficulties

Beth L. Lynch

APUS

April 10, 2010

Introduction

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and dyslexia are not diseases; therefore, they cannot be cured. Children and adults who struggle with learning difficulties (LD) face a myriad of challenges in school, and, in their daily lives. They need to be given the opportunity to acquire assistance before feelings of frustration, failure, and conflict set in.

It is important to understand that you must approach improving these difficulties by treating the individual as a whole. There has to be cooperation between their emotional well-being, nutrition, method of therapy, and, proper teaching method. Many parents and teachers recognize that there can be adverse effects to social and emotional development associated with LD, however, they continue to use techniques that are mechanistic when working with their students (Long and MacBlain, 2007).

English: Percent of Youth 4-17 ever diagnosed with...

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Essentially, they are failing to address these individuals holistically.

It is my goal in this paper to dispel some of the myths associated with individuals who struggle with LD, to discuss some of the similarities of AD/HD and dyslexia, to touch on complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), and to discuss the importance of emotional, nutritional, and educational support of those who have been diagnosed with LD.

Keywords: learning difficulties, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, complementary and alternative medicine

Some of the common misconceptions of children with LD are that they are lazy, rude, stupid, and incapable of achieving academic success. These perceptions are completely without merit. Research has shown that these children, by and large, have normal to high IQs, they are quick thinking, prone to wholly original thought, and, have a deep sense of loyalty and justice. They...