American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [192]
Diagnosing and treating speech and language disorders
To diagnose a developmental speech or language disorder, a child may be given one or more tests that compare his or her development with what is considered normal development for children of the same age. He or she may also have tests to rule out other problems, such as hearing loss or other ear disorders, or problems with the vocal cords.
Treatment of developmental speech and language disorders depends on the type of disorder, its severity, and the child’s individual needs. He or she can be helped by working with trained school professionals, such as speech pathologists.
Academic Skills Disorders
Academic skills disorders may affect a child’s ability to read, write, or solve math problems. Academic skills disorders are neurological disorders caused by the brain’s inability to process sounds, letters, words, or abstract concepts.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a neurological disorder that results from a problem in the way the brain processes written information. A child who has dyslexia may have difficulty distinguishing certain letters, pronouncing words, or spelling. These difficulties can affect the child’s ability to read or to understand what he or she is reading.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a neurological disorder caused by a defect in the way the brain processes information that relates to numbers. Children with dyscalculia may have difficulty recognizing numbers or symbols, remembering information such as multiplication tables, or understanding concepts such as fractions. They also may have trouble telling time, keeping track of time, or reading maps.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to write words on a page. A person with dysgraphia may have difficulty spelling, holding a writing instrument, or forming letters or words on a page. Such difficulties can cause the person’s handwriting to be distorted or illegible. A child with dysgraphia also may be unable to organize thoughts on paper even though he or she can convey them verbally.
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia is a neurological disorder that results from the inability of the brain to properly relay messages to parts of the body. A child who has dyspraxia may seem clumsy or uncoordinated and may have difficulty performing tasks such as dressing or combing his or her hair. He or she may have difficulty reading, writing, or speaking; or may be extremely sensitive to touch. Children with dyspraxia may not be able to understand logic or reason and often behave immaturely.
Diagnosing and treating academic skills disorders
To diagnose an academic skills disorder, a child will take tests to evaluate his or her reading, writing, and math abilities. The child may also have vision and hearing tests to rule out vision and hearing problems.
The treatment of academic skills disorders depends on the disorder. For example, a person who has dyslexia can benefit from a language program that teaches him or her to identify sounds. A person who has dyscalculia may benefit from doing real-life math problems such as counting money. He or she can use a calculator to check his or her work. A person with dysgraphia can benefit from using a computer, using a tape recorder, drawing a picture, or using checklists to organize and express thoughts. A person who has dyspraxia can benefit from physical or occupational therapy to improve his or her coordination and ability to perform daily tasks.
If your child has a learning disability, work closely with his or her teachers and your doctor and other health care professionals to make sure your child gets the needed help. With appropriate intervention and educational programs, most people find ways to compensate for their learning disability and can lead successful, productive lives. Support groups and other organizations are available for people with learning disabilities and their friends and family members.
Common Ear Problems in Children
Ear infections are a common problem in young children, especially between ages 6 months and 1 year.