LDExperience

Kathryn Burke Sometimes kids surprise and amaze you. My son, Colin, and I were taking a short walk to our corner store. Our conversation wandered, but ultimately arrived at a discussion about his day at school. Colin is 17 and in grade 11. He is a smart young man who lives with learning disabilities, ADHD, [...]

At first I dismissed it. I heard it at a conference where the speaker was discussing the value of screening kindergarten and grade one students for potential reading problems. From the back row, in an arrogant and aggressive manner, a woman challenged the speaker. “What is the point of screening if there is absolutely no [...]

My claim in our household is that I am the “normal one!” It is my story and I am sticking to it. There is no question that our household is unique. My husband has a stratospheric IQ, ADHD, and LD. He is also spinal cord injured. My eldest son has LD, ADHD, GAD, is gifted, [...]

I am a glass half full kind of person. I suspect that innate attitude has given me resiliency through a somewhat crazy upbringing and a career that has morphed into advocacy for people with learning disabilities and other challenges. I am also a Canadian who remembers a political icon in our country, the late Pierre [...]

Sometimes important conversations happen at unusual times. In our household, 7 to 8 am is our family‘s rush hour. It is about getting ready, waking and then re-waking two teenagers. It is characterized by making and packing lunches, having breakfast (mandatory), and waiting for ADHD meds to kick in. My husband and oldest son leave [...]

I am often asked as an advocate and parent of a child with exceptional learning needs what advice I would give other parents. Were there any tips I wanted to pass along? Over the years, I have come up with a list of points that I often share. They are presented below in the hopes [...]

This series has focused on the vital role of physicians in identifying and supporting people with learning disabilities. While estimates of the incidence of learning disabilities vary, credible organizations such as the US based National Institute of Heath indicate that one out of every ten people has a learning disability. Indeed, higher incidence levels are [...]

  Angry, confused and frustrated teens…doctors see them all the time.  Sometimes teens come into a doctor’s office on their own. Other times they are dragged in by a worried parent — a mother or father who hopes a doctor can work a miracle. There are many reasons for teens to be miserable, not the [...]

  Parents are filled with hope. Their bright, energetic child is poised to begin Kindergarten. This milestone event is accompanied by dreams for a child — hopes of success in school and in life — hopes that their child, who is growing up so fast, will love school and succeed. The first few months are [...]

Physicians are a vital member of the team of professionals who identify, diagnose and support children and adults who have learning disabilities.  It is often the family physician or pediatrician who is the first professional consulted by a worried parent. The role of a doctor is pivotal, particularly in relation to the early identification of [...]