Having a child diagnosed with a disability can be initially devastating on a family.  I know I’ve been there. But with right information, the correct diagnoses and getting the right help things can start to look up. You begin to believe that your child has a future ahead.

Remember good information, reaching out and asking for help is empowering for you and your child.  So let’s get some information on general learning disabilities. 

What Is General Learning Disabilities?

Just like any other child a child with a general learning disability (GLD) will progress and continue to learn throughout life. Only this will occur at a much slower rate. Children with GLD find it more difficult to learn, understand and do things compared to other children of the same age.  

GLD can vary greatly from borderline, mild, moderate to severe/profound. Some children may never learn to speak. But they communicate using Lámh (a form of sign language in Ireland) (Makaton in UK) or with the help of technology. 

Children with GLD are likely to require help when they grow up with looking after themselves. Other children with a mild general learning disability will grow up to become independent.

Mild General Learning Difficulties (MGLD)

What are the signs for MGLD?

• Have significantly below-average general intellectual functioning.
• A slow rate of maturation.
• Reduced learning capacity.
• Inadequate social adjustment.

MGLD may also manifest itself in:

• Delayed conceptual development
• Difficulties in expressing ideas and feelings in words
• A limited ability to abstract and generalise content learnt
• Limited attention-span and poor retention ability
• Slow speech and language development
• Difficulty adapting to change
• An underdeveloped sense of spatial awareness
• Difficulties with reading, writing, comprehension and mathematical concepts.

Some students may display:

• Poor adaptive, inappropriate or immature personal behaviour.
• Low self-esteem; particularly when they enter post-primary school settings. This can result in unacceptable behaviour to avoid being seen as a failure.
• Emotional disturbance.
• General clumsiness and lack of coordination of fine and gross motor skills.

Remember that every child is different and has their own strengths, learning style, personality and interests. These should be encouraged and self-esteem/confidence built (see below).

 Moderate general learning disability

What are the signs for moderate GLD?

• Can display significant delay in reaching developmental milestones such as walking, talking, etc.
• Learning ability in respect of basic literacy and numeracy. The circumlum can be modified to assist their learning. 
• Delays in language and communication, mobility and leisure skills, motor coordination and social and personal development.
• May have difficulties with the length of time they can concentrate on activities, with generalizing and transferring knowledge across situations and with processing input from more than one sense at a time.
•  IQ (Intelligence Quotient) may have a  cognitive functioning range from IQ 35 to 50 on standardised IQ tests.
• Many may have accompanying impairments such as physical, hearing or visual impairment and emotional disturbance or impairment in communication skills.
• May also have autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)

Severe to profound general learning disabilities

What are the signs of severe to profound GLD?

• Likely to be severely impaired in their functioning in respect of a basic awareness and understanding of themselves, of the people around them and of the world they live in.
• Many will have additional disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)
• May also have a challenging and/or self-injurious behaviour, emotional disturbance, epilepsy, hearing impairment, physical impairment, severe impairment in communication skills and visual impairment.
•  IQ (Intelligence Quotient) may be in the range 20 to 35 on standardised IQ tests. A child with a profound general learning disability is described as having an IQ under 20.
• Children will require others to provide their basic needs. (feeding and toileting for instance)
• They have difficulties in mobility.
• Problems with generalizing skills from one situation to another.
• Significant delays in reaching developmental milestones and significant speech and/or communication difficulties.
• Some may have associated behavioural problems.
• May have limited communication skills but these difficulties in expressing themselves, do not diminish their communicative intent.

As I’ve said all children are different and any interest, hobbies, personality differences, learning styles and strengths should be nurtured and encouraged.

What Causes General Learning Disability?

As of now, the cause for GLD remains unknown. However in some children, there may be a genetic factor, infection, brain injury or damage before, at birth or after birth e.g. Down’s syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and cerebral palsy.

It is important to recognise GLD as soon as possible as only then will the child and family receive the support they need. Developmental checks are important to attend. All health visitors, GP’s,  are equipped to discuss any issues you may feel need addressing. So never be afraid to ask questions if you have a concern about your child.

The Effects Of Learning Disability On The Child And The Family.

Children with a  general learning disability are aware of what goes on around them. But their ability to understand and communicate can be limited and it can be a difficulty for them to express themselves. As you can imagine this can make it hard for them to get their needs meet and can lead to them becoming frustrated and upset.

Problems can arise when they transition to secondary school or start to compare themselves to other children. They can also feel sad or angry and have reduced self-confidence/low self-esteem.

For a parent or the other family members, it can be distressing to find out that their child has a disability. They can find it hard to communicate and manage their child’s behaviour.

The reactions of others including extended family members can impact the child and parent’s stress levels. People outside of the immediate family may not fully understand the child’s mannerisms, behaviours and communications styles. This can lead to a lot of upset, frustration, miscommunication, etc., for everyone involved.

Brothers and sisters may feel jealous or embarrassed by their sibling for a time. They can often be teased at school and can feel personally responsible for their sibling or parent. In time though they do understand more and can be one of their siblings best advocates.

There are a number of other costs that affect families when faced with a disabled child I have outline these here.

Getting Help For Your Child

The Early Days.

Children can be referred to HSE (Ireland) early intervention teams or community-based therapy services by GP, public health nurses or their parents.

The child will be assessed and an Assessment of Need report compiled, which you as the parent should receive a copy of. The assessment of need will outline what interventions and help the child requires from various services, schools, etc. 

Did you know in Ireland?

On June 1st, 2007, Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 became law. Under Part 2 of this Act, children with disabilities have a right to:

• An independent assessment of their health and educational needs arising from their disability
• An assessment report
• A statement of services they will receive
• Make a complaint if they are not happy with any part of the process

Your first point of contact is your local Assessment Officer who is responsible for your child’s assessment. Each Local Health Office has an Assessment Officer. They can assist you with your child’s application and help support you through the process. 

The Assessment Officer is responsible for issuing your child’s assessment report. Applications must be made in writing on a standard form which is available from your Local Health Office. Call the HSE information line 1850 24 1850 or check out www.hse.ie for a list of Local Health Officers in Ireland. 

Your child’s assessment must start within 3 months from when the completed application form is accepted by the HSE. It must be completed within a further 3 months from the date on which the assessment commenced.

Children with disabilities are also covered under the Education Act 1998 and the EPSEN Act 2004 plus other disability legislation.

If your child is at school/Pre-school

Raise your concerns with your child’s teacher or school principal. Your child’s teacher/school will develop a plan with you to support your child’s learning and development. The principal will contact the NEPS on your behalf for a full assessment (National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)).

The school will then work together with other supports and you to provide the best education and support for your child. They will also require any previous assessments prior to your child attending school if one has already been completed by the HSE to put all supports in place.

What is the Department of Education and Skills Policy On School?

Department of Education and Skills policy is that children with GLD should attend mainstream school. But if your child requires a more complex special education they may be supported in a special class within the mainstream school or attend a special school.

Students who have significant care needs may have access to support from special needs assistants (SNAs). SNAs look after the care needs of children while the teacher is responsible for teaching the child.

Your child may also require additional technology for support and special transport to and from school. Information is available on the DES website at www.education.ie

What is an SENO?

SENO or special educational needs organisers will help you with much of this. As a parent you need to identify yourself to the school and the local SENO before your child begins there. If you don’t know who they are the class teacher or school principal will be able to introduce them to you.

Some schools have a parent liaison office as well. Their job is to liaison between the school and the parents. If your school has one don’t forget you can use them to help you talk to the school at any time and for additional support for you.

Your SENO can assist you in a number of ways by:

• Providing support and advice
• Identifying possible school placements
• Liaising with the school, the HSE and other services
• Assisting in planning the transition of children to school, between schools and onwards from school.

A Note On Secondary School

In secondary school, you will need to apply for RACE (reasonable accommodation in certificate examinations) for your child’s state exams. Your school will be able to provide information and help in applying for these.

Please note you may need an up to date assessment for your child before the 5th year. As RACE is applied for at the start of the 5th year for Leaving certificate.

It is applied for at the start of the 3rd year for Junior certificate. But please check with your school for updates on this information or with the SENO.

Helping To Build Self-Esteem and Confidence In Your Child.

I talk more about building children’s self-confidence in another blog but some things to start with are: 

• See the world through your children’s eyes.
• Use respect when communicating.
• Always answer their questions and don’t interrupt them when they communicate
• All children need their parent’s undivided attention. So spending one-on-one time with them will increase their feeling of being loved by you.
• Remember all children are special in their own right, have their own strengths and personality.  Accept and love children for who they are. This will help your child feel more secure in who they are and in their ability to reach out to others and learn to solve their own problems.
• Give children a chance to contribute as they learn. This shows them that you see them as valuable and that you have faith in their
  abilities. Plus this gives them a sense of responsibility.
• Any mistakes made should always be treated as learning opportunities. So don’t overreact, this will only lead them to avoid taking risks and then end up blaming others for their problems.
• Always, always and I can’t emphasise this enough, play to their strengths and emphasise their strengths to them. A sense of accomplishment and pride gives children the confidence to persevere when they face challenges.
• Again allow children to solve problems and make decisions. Also, allow them to suffer the consequences (age appropriate of course).
• Avoid telling the child what to do but encourage them to come up with solutions to problems.
• When you discipline them, do so from a teaching perspective. Never use intimidation or humiliation as a means of disciplining your child.
• Dealing with Prejudice. This will arise from time to time and will challenge both you and your child. But if your child has been raised to value themselves and feels supported, they will turn to you or if they are older, to an appropriate authority to deal with this kind of behaviour. They may come across people with challenging attitudes you cannot fully protect them from this.
• There is also help available from support groups and other organisations like Inclusion Ireland, Enable Ireland, Federation of Voluntary Bodies, your child’s school and the HSE. (These organisations are in Ireland please look up relevant authorities in your location).

Benefits and Entitlements

Just when you have been handed a diagnosis you also have to apply for benefits and ensure you know yours and your child’s entitlement are.

This can be very difficult on so many levels. The wording on forms can be hard to comprehend. They use language that only wants your child’s difficulties and you may even question why you should be getting this at all. But you need to remember that your child has a right to apply.

Enable Ireland has a booklet “Benefits and Entitlements” with up to date information on their website to make it easier to understand these forms and what your child’s benefits and entitlements are. I would strongly advise you to look this up.

Their team member can also advise you further on the subject. They have a number of resources for parents on their website

Work With Me.

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.

Other Resources

http://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Pamphlet-6-GLD-01_09_14.pdf

Enable Ireland pdf for parents