www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 7, 2007 - 31 EDUCATION IN OAKVILLE Identifying a learning disability in your child Learning how to help your child and discovering the disability early Continued from Page 20 DYSCALCULIA One of the toughest subjects in school for most kids to grasp is mathematics. Sometimes that difficulty can be the result of dyscalculia, a learning disability involving math. While each disability with math is different, there are certain early indicators parents should be on the lookout for. According to NCLD, among the earliest indicators are trouble understanding the meaning of numbers; difficulty sorting objects by shape, size or color; trouble recognizing groups or patterns; and trouble comparing and contrasting by using concepts such as bigger/smaller or taller/shorter. For school-aged children, problems might be less subtle. For example, children with dyscalculia might struggle memorizing times tables. Math problems could also prove exceedingly difficult, as children might not be capable of applying their knowledge and skills. A problem with organizing ideas with respect to math could indicate dyscalculia as well. This is known as a visual-spatial problem, wherein the child will understand the needed facts to solve a problem but will struggle putting those facts and solutions down on paper. If any of these problems go untreated or undiagnosed, older children, such as those in high school, will exhibit difficulty moving on to higher level math courses. DYSGRAPHIA Like dyscalculia, dysgraphia, which concerns problems with writing, has the potential to be written off by parents and educators alike. That's because it's common for parents to feel that their children will struggle with math or writing as they did when they were kids. However, dysgraphia should be taken seriously, just like any other learning disability. Symptoms of dysgraphia include poor handwriting, difficulty with spelling, and trouble putting thoughts on paper. While not everyone's handwriting will be perfect nor will every child qualify for the National Spelling Bee, it's important not to brush aside these symptoms. Avoiding writing, having a tight and awkward grip on a pencil while writing, and tiring quickly while writing are indicative of the larger problem of dysgraphia. Like dyslexia, dysgraphia is a processing disorder. As such, different degrees of the disability exist, so not all children will have all of the aforementioned symptoms. Treatment is often tailored to each individual's problems, whether finding a more suitable writing utensil or even having students proofread their own work after a delay. By delaying such proofing, children are better equipped to recognize their own mistakes. How students with learning difficulties become successful adults Bill Gates was not a terribly successful student yet he is one of the most powerful men in the world. Celebrities have more assets than they could ever imagine, yet their personal lives are often chaotic. Success is not always dependent upon academic performance and the measures of success are not always financial. Listen to Dr. Howard Bernstein, C.Psych., an experienced psychologist and educator, speak on this topic at the Chisholm Centre Open House. The Open House takes place on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th from 10:00am 2:00pm. The talk will begin at 11:30am. Chisholm Centre is located at 1484 Cornwall Road in Oakville between Trafalgar Rd. and Ford Dr. Please call (905) 844-3240 with questions. ble vaila ga Busin t. 2007 New or Sep f Chisholm Centre Open House We help kids overcome learning difficulties SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2007 11:00am to 3:00pm International Centre Aviation Ballroom, 6900 Airport Road Sponsored by Sat., Feb. 10, 2007 10am - 2pm Listen to Dr. Bernstein speak at 11:30am "How Students with Learning Difficulties Become Successful Adults" Chisholm Educational Centre 1484 Cornwall Rd. - Between Trafalgar Rd. and Ford Dr. 905.844.3240 · www.chisholmcentre.com Y ou won't want to miss this annual event! Speak one on one with Exhibitors showcasing dozens of Residential and Day Summer Camps for your child. Explore opportunities in Arts & Crafts, Riding, Swimming, Tennis, Golf, Gymnastics & more. For more information please call 905-815-0017 or toll free 1-800-265-3673