Management of the child with a learning disorder

The label "learning disabilities" is all-embracing; it describes a syndrome, not a specific child with specific problems. Parent involvement in and collaboration with pediatricians and schools in navigating service systems, accessing appropriate services, and case management are particularly relevant for children with LD. Comprehensive service delivery in school settings requires the interface of other service sectors, such as primary care, mental health,and other community agencies that also recognize and address children's problems. To date, marked differences exist among the assessment, classification and diagnostic, and treatment practices of these service systems, despite the fact that they address the same patient population--school-aged youth. Additionally, many of these agencies and systems operate in isolation with limited cross-sector communication or service collaboration. Parent involvement and advocacy, with assistance from pediatricians and knowledgeable school personnel, is necessary to ensure that appropriate resources available from these sectors are well coordinated and provided for children with an LD to improve their school performance and ongoing educational experience.