I have a son that is 9 years old and he does not learn fast so they want to label him LD...?

Question

And it frustrates me b-cuz the school will not tell me who will benefit from this , some support people have said it is just so they get more money... And some friends that they have kids say the child is worse then when the child started... please help with your input...

they want to label him specific learning disability any input would be greatly helpful...

Answer 1

schools do get more money for IEP kids. I doubt he's the problem. He may not be the cookie cut out the teacher wants. There are several different ways a kid learns and the teacher might just not be a good enough teacher. Talk to your dr about testing. If there's nothing wrong then it does make the kids worse. You can talk to a behaviorist. and see what they say. When the school mentions this again, tell them you want a meeting with the OT, this is something the OT would know about and they are more likely to have a more indepth education about children and their behavior. instead of an educators point of view.

Answer 2

My son has a learning disability in reading and written expression. He was diagnosed... (not labeled) with a learning disability when he was in first grade, personally I had to fight for him to get the extra help he needed.
He is in fifth grade now. Last year was the first year he was reading on grade level. He has been released from most of his special education services, and yes he struggles in the regular education curriculum, but he is going to be ok.
Special education taught him many strategies he wasn't getting in the regular education classes because the classes were big.
Yes the school gets more money, but your child gets more help, more learning strategies, more one-one attention, self esteem increases as your child becomes more successful.

You are looking at a label, not what is in the container. So what if your child has a label, it usually opens them up to services that other children do not have. It tells the regular education teacher to watch out more closely for your child, and be aware that there is an IEP involved and modifications and adaptions need to be made for this child. IF you have a good teacher, the label only is used for getting these services, not for making judgements prior to meeting the child.
When you attend the meeting about diagnostic concerns talk to the teachers. Find out what a learning disability means to them. Your child cannot be diagnosted without your consent, but read your parental safeguards, know your rights, but look at what benefits your child can gain from the extra attention.

Answer 3

Well the school will benefit from the labeling of your son, they do get more Special Education money for labeled kids. But your son may also benefit from the extra help that they can offer him if he is labeled. When my daughter was first labeled I was angry, then I began to see what they (the Spec. Ed. Teachers) were doing for my daughter. Her home work and classwork was less stressful because the Special Ed. teachers were there to help her understand how to do the work. Special Education Teachers have the ability to spend more one on one time with students to help them understand how to do the work that they have trouble with the most. My daughter is now a Freshman in college, and doing very well.

Research all the aspects of what the school is offering to do for your son if he is labeled as L.D.


Good Luck.

Answer 4

My son was in LD from kindergarten to first grade. It really helped him. In the LD class, they learn the same material at a different rate. There are less students per teacher. In LD class, there are only 15 students per teacher vs. 27 students per teacher. This way they can spend more individualized attention to your child and will learn new concepts easier. My son is now in second grade and in a regular class of 27 students. He gets tutoring 2 x week to help with areas that he is having trouble with. His grades are good. I really think the LD class helped him a lot. Most school's goals for LD students is to get them back into the regular classroom. Yes, they do get more funding for this program. But, if they think your son will benefit from this type of instruction, then you should consider it. You may actually see his grades improve. You need to do what's best for your son. Is he learning at the same rate as the other kids right now? And if not, how far behind is he going to be in 2 years? Plus, a lot of the outcome depends on the school system in your area. In my area, we have a great special ed program with in our public schools. And like I said, it has greatly helped my son and he is now in a regular classroom.

Answer 5

I must say that being labeled LD for dyslexia and getting Special ed. was the best thing that could have happened to my son. He got lots of extra attention and one-on-one from his great Special Ed. teacher and made up three grade levels in math and english in one year. Special Ed does not mean stupid, it means a different learning style.
Have him tested and then discuss an IEP with the school, you have nothing to lose as you do not have to accept the IEP if you don't feel it is appropriate.

Answer 6

this is a tough situation. i would not let them label him as being ld. try to get him some outside tutoring before you even consider this. not every kid learns the same way and it may be just that the way he is being taught, is not working for him. i would be reluctant to let them label him that way. schools are so quick to do this to kids and i don't think it is right. hope this helps. good luck.

Answer 7

All kids learn at a different rate. Try to get him some outside tutoring. Sometimes this can be obtained free under various government programs.

Answer 8

Cans should be labelled and not children.